The Invention of Lying

In a world where everyone tells the truth all the time, Mark Bellison is a struggling screenwriter who faces constant rejection and ridicule because of his inability to produce compelling material. After being fired from his job and facing eviction, Mark discovers he has the unique ability to tell a lie—something no one else can comprehend or even recognize. Realizing the potential power of this newfound skill, he begins to manipulate situations to his advantage, starting small by securing money from a bank and soon progressing to telling grander lies that dramatically alter his social and professional standing.

Meanwhile, Mark develops feelings for Anna McDoogles, a woman he admires for her honesty and beauty, though she dismisses the possibility of a relationship due to superficial reasons. As Mark's lies start impacting the world around him in unforeseen and significant ways, he reaches a moral crossroad, grappling with the implications of his deception. His journey forces him to reconsider the nature of truth, lies, and happiness, as he navigates the complexities of relationships and personal ethics in a society unversed in deceit.