The Man of Forty Crowns

Written by Voltaire

Narrated by James Harrington

"The Man of Forty Crowns" is a satirical short story by Voltaire, highlighting the irrationality of religious dogma and superstition. The protagonist receives an inheritance of forty crowns under the condition that he marries a woman he has never met. This absurd situation leads to a humorous exploration of societal norms and blind obedience to tradition. Voltaire's wit and sarcasm shine in this critique of 18th-century French society. Read in English, unabridged.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Interactive Media
• Release date: Oct 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9781787368071

Voltaire

Voltaire was the pen name of François-Marie Arouet (1694–1778)a French philosopher and an author who was as prolific as he was influential. In books, pamphlets and plays, he startled, scandalized and inspired his age with savagely sharp satire that unsparingly attacked the most prominent institutions of his day, including royalty and the Roman Catholic Church. His fiery support of freedom of speech and religion, of the separation of church and state, and his intolerance for abuse of power can be seen as ahead of his time, but earned him repeated imprisonments and exile before they won him fame and adulation.