sentences:  Initially received coldly on its appearance, perhaps because of its homosexual themes and its unusual composition, "The Counterfeiters" has gained reputation in the intervening years and is now generally counted among the Western Canon of literature.The making of the novel, with letters, newspaper clippings and other supporting material, was documented by Gide in his 1927 "Journal of The Counterfeiters".The plot revolves around Bernard – a schoolfriend of Olivier's who is preparing for his "bac" – discovering he is a bastard and taking this as a welcome pretext for running away from home.