I read Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol.
In 19th century Russia, serfs are taxed commodities that are bought, sold and mortgaged. Taxes are collected from the serfs but the landowner is ultimately responsible for payment. Because the government relies on numbers reported on the current census - and because there can be many years between each one - landowners sometimes pay taxes on serfs who have died or ran away. Chichikov plans to be the first to profit from this loophole. He approaches landowners and offers to buy dead serfs (the titular dead souls.) The initial reaction is puzzlement and suspicion but most are eager to unload the financial burden. Chichikov is welcomed to the elite of the community and becomes the focus of gossip for the townsfolk who believe he is wealthy.
At the governor's ball, a landowner named Nozdryov, who is a notorious liar, reveals that Chichikov bought only dead souls from him. Though Nozdryov's word is suspect, rumors spread about Chichikov's true identity and nefarious motives. Subsequently, another landowner who sold to Chichikov arrives in town to inquire about the current exchange rate of dead souls because she believes Chichikov may have hoodwinked her. The lady's testimony fuels the current rumors, ruins Chichikov's reputation and drives him from the town.
Gogol reveals Chichikov's backstory near the end of the book. At his first job with the treasury, he works diligently, schmoozes with the boss and is promoted. He and his entire department accepts bribes but a new overseer arrives and cleans house after an audit reveals the corruption. Chichikov is unable to earn respect from the new boss and decides to start a career in customs. At first, he is incorrigible in upholding the law but his baser instincts lead him to partner with a group of smugglers. His actions are investigated and he barely manages to avoid criminal proceedings. He retires with less dishonor than some of his cohorts but the bribes required drain his fortune and leaves him with a paltry sum and a couple of serfs. He mortgages his estate and develops a plan to purchase dead souls.
At the end of Volume One, Gogol promises two more parts to Chichikov's story. Gogol burned the manuscript of part two shortly before his death. The fragments that survive are presented as Volume Two.
Chichikov continues to acquire dead souls but his sins, including forging a will, catch up to him and the Prince throws him in jail without a trial. Chichikov mourns the loss of his property more than his freedom.
Chichikov believes his friend Murazov can secure his release and, more importantly, retrieve his chest which contains the deeds for the dead souls. Murazov says he will do all he can to help Chichikov with one condition: he must abandon the empty enterprise of acquiring property. Murazov encourages him to think no longer about dead souls but about his own living soul. Full of tears, Chichikov promises to change his ways.
Meanwhile, Chichikov's louche lawyer arranges his release. The Prince orders Chichikov to leave town immediately then gathers all the officials involved in witness tampering and destroying evidence in Chichikov's case to deliver the most important message in the book: denounce corruption and falsity for your own sake and for the sake of your country.
