Series
Publication
B. J. Harrison (2020)
Original publication date
1921
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Description
Classic Literature. Fiction. HTML: Scaramouche is a swashbuckling romantic adventure set during the French Revolution. A young lawyer becomes enmeshed in political turmoil, and goes into hiding as an actor with a traveling commedia dell'arte troupe. He plays the buffoon, Scaramouche. During his adventures he also becomes a master politician and swordsman, and though he is a revolutionary, circumstances force him to change sides several times. The tone of the book is set from the opening line: "He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.".
User reviews
LibraryThing member AHS-Wolfy
Set on the cusp of the French revolution we follow a young André-Louis Moreau, godson (and presumed by most to be an illegitimate son) of a rural lord. Trained as a lawyer he is distraught when his friend, Philippe de Vilmorin, is forced into a duel with the Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr where he is
The tone of the book differs quite a bit from that of the movie of which I’m sure more people are familiar with. The setting adds an extra element of tension to the story of the book with the film being a much more light-hearted romantic affair. These romantic entanglements are also much heightened in the film version. There are certainly enough differences to be able to enjoy both for what they are. The book is a tale of revenge, adventure, political intrigue, love and the study of man’s nature. The hero is a complex character who, if he had been handled by a lesser author, would probably be difficult to like. He is good at everything he tries, sometimes appearing heartless and unaffected by events surrounding him. Not having an identity of his own he takes on the role of his murdered friend in order to avenge his death and then through the unfolding events discovers himself.
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totally outclassed and killed and the attempts at justice fall on deaf ears. Apolitical himself, André-Louis takes up his friend’s cause and vows to destroy his killer in the process. A killer he was already predisposed to dislike due to affections shown by the Marquis to Aline, niece to his godfather and childhood playmate of both André-Louis and Philippe. When his speech incites a mob, André-Louis is accused of sedition so rather than wait for the hangman’s noose he flees and finds a hiding place in a troupe of actors where he falls into the role of Scaramouche. With his natural gifts of oration and his previously sardonic outlook he soon settles into the role of comic instigator and advances the troupe’s reputation enormously. It’s not long before they’re heading for the heights of perhaps even the Cemedie Francais in Paris. But what will happen when the paths of André-Louis and the Marquis cross again?The tone of the book differs quite a bit from that of the movie of which I’m sure more people are familiar with. The setting adds an extra element of tension to the story of the book with the film being a much more light-hearted romantic affair. These romantic entanglements are also much heightened in the film version. There are certainly enough differences to be able to enjoy both for what they are. The book is a tale of revenge, adventure, political intrigue, love and the study of man’s nature. The hero is a complex character who, if he had been handled by a lesser author, would probably be difficult to like. He is good at everything he tries, sometimes appearing heartless and unaffected by events surrounding him. Not having an identity of his own he takes on the role of his murdered friend in order to avenge his death and then through the unfolding events discovers himself.
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LibraryThing member lauranav
Swashbuckling coming of age story of a young cynic who turns idealist and then realist, while inspiring revolution, acting with a troup of improvisational actors, learning swordsmanship from a master, and then joining the political ranks. He is apparently good at anything he tries, and we have a
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grand time watching each new stage in his life. Ah, Revolutionary France, what an exciting time. Show Less
LibraryThing member librisissimo
"He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad."
Best. Opening. Line. Ever.
Best. Opening. Line. Ever.
LibraryThing member AsYouKnow_Bob
""He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad."
I *think* I read this in grade school (with "the S. Pimpernel"), but have no real memory of it.
I *think* I read this in grade school (with "the S. Pimpernel"), but have no real memory of it.
LibraryThing member TadAD
Another good Sabatini story. The hero is not, perhaps, as likable as Peter Blood (Captain Blood) or Sir Oliver (The Sea Hawk), but the backdrop of the story is more interesting.
LibraryThing member ben_a
I bought this because Michael Chabon listed it among his ten favorite novels. That seems strong -- it's a diverting swashbuckler, but not terribly memorable.
LibraryThing member mainrun
The novel is broken into three parts; three "books." The setting is the 1790's, but the book was written in the 1920's. The first book was an easy read, much like action/adventure stories of today. The second book was a bit of a bummer for me. It reminded me of the old, silent movie clips I have
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seen: overacting, not-realistic moving around. The last book surprised me as it read like a biography, describing the lead character actions/thoughts in an odd way for me, as I don't read biographies. Overall an interesting "historical fiction" type book. Show Less
LibraryThing member dknippling
A reread.
Ah...what can I say about this book? If you're trying to make up your mind whether or not to read this, you should probably read a different review. I reread this because I couldn't stop thinking about it after the Occupy Wall Street movement started up, and I felt that I have been moving
Ah...what can I say about this book? If you're trying to make up your mind whether or not to read this, you should probably read a different review. I reread this because I couldn't stop thinking about it after the Occupy Wall Street movement started up, and I felt that I have been moving
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through similar attitudes as Andre-Louis throughout the book. At first I was flat-out cynical about it--Pfft, like that's going to do any good--and I fear the potential for damage there. Show Less
LibraryThing member xieouyang
This book had intrigued me a while back, when I first saw it at Barnes & Noble. So I picked it up last week in Milwaukee. It's a (sort of) historical novel around the French revolution. The story itself, minus the history, is the prototypical romance, swashbuckling European-style novel. A young man
All in all although it's entertaining, it has not much value. The historical parts seem sort of mangled, but then the French revolution itself was mangled. And the plot is the standard semi-romantic story of adventure. I can think of many other books that are more worthy of reading than this one.
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is raised by his godfather; his parents are unknown and one suspected the godfather is actually his father. He has the de rigueur beautiful cousin that he'll end up marrying (in a sequel perhaps) and goes through all kinds of adventures, or misadventures, only to find out at the end that both his parents are noblemen, of course.All in all although it's entertaining, it has not much value. The historical parts seem sort of mangled, but then the French revolution itself was mangled. And the plot is the standard semi-romantic story of adventure. I can think of many other books that are more worthy of reading than this one.
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LibraryThing member seabear
Since uni I've been interested in the French Revolution, and have read a handful of proper histories, but almost never any fiction. I read A Place of Greater Safety and loved it. I watched the Scarlet Pimpernel episode of Blackadder 3 and loved it. I picked up this book, meant to be a swashbuckling
It wasn't terrible. The plot was just so predictable and cliched, driving towards entirely contrived scenarios, the last one of which made me groan audibly. But worse than that, I did not understand Andre-Louis' character at all. He is described repeatedly as 'heartless' and 'insincere', but on a number of occasions he is described as being unsure of what to do, or being upset, of having sleepless nights. It didn't fit together, not for me.
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tale of romance, and... not so good.It wasn't terrible. The plot was just so predictable and cliched, driving towards entirely contrived scenarios, the last one of which made me groan audibly. But worse than that, I did not understand Andre-Louis' character at all. He is described repeatedly as 'heartless' and 'insincere', but on a number of occasions he is described as being unsure of what to do, or being upset, of having sleepless nights. It didn't fit together, not for me.
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LibraryThing member Schmerguls
I remember I was much excited by this book, and few years later when I was a sophomore in college iI signed up for a course "the french REvolution and Napolean" influenced to do so in part by my reading of this novel. It was an excellent course.
LibraryThing member stuart10er
Like bad Dumas. His sailing books offer a little more in that genre. However, this tale - a tale of revenge and love in the time of Revolutionary France - really leaves much to be desired. It is really ok - but not great. Good, but not wonderful. The disappointment is that it could have been really
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amazing - but it wasn't. Show Less
LibraryThing member jnwelch
"Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the fandango?" Whatever the heck that Queen lyric means, the Scaramouche novel by Rafael Sabatini is swashbuckling entertainment a la Dumas or Baroness Orczy. It's set during the French Revolution. Our versatile protagonist, lawyer Andre Louis-Moreau, is the
Dedicated to bringing down the arrogant aristocrat who killed his friend, Andre finds he must use all his acquired skills to even have a chance. Andre is complex in romance and in his revenge-fueled drive, sometimes cold, sometimes charming, sometimes vulnerable. He develops strong attachments with ladies high and low, and alternately infuriates and captivates members of his adopted family. Written by the author of Captain Blood and The Sea-Hawk, it makes for amiable summer reading with a beverage of your choice.
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bastard of a secret-shielded mother and unknown aristocratic father. He's inspired to change his life at age 20 or so when his friend is murdered in an unfair duel by an arrogant aristocrat. To honor his friend, Andre becomes an eloquent rabble-rouser in opposition to the country's uncaring elite. Forced to flee, he joins a theater troupe (where he becomes Scaramouche) and has a profound effect on them. Forced to flee again, he hides as a junior instructor in a fencing school, where the constant swordplay advances him toward mastery.Dedicated to bringing down the arrogant aristocrat who killed his friend, Andre finds he must use all his acquired skills to even have a chance. Andre is complex in romance and in his revenge-fueled drive, sometimes cold, sometimes charming, sometimes vulnerable. He develops strong attachments with ladies high and low, and alternately infuriates and captivates members of his adopted family. Written by the author of Captain Blood and The Sea-Hawk, it makes for amiable summer reading with a beverage of your choice.
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LibraryThing member preston.whit
This book is a classic example of Renaissance historical fiction. From swashbuckling swordsmanship to prudent politics, this story has it all.
LibraryThing member debs4jc
I didn't think I would like this at first, I've never been much interested in the French revolution and I thought the language would be challenging. But it wasn't too much of a problem and I got caught up in the drama of the story. The man character's best friend is killed--murdered, really--in an
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unfair duel and Scaramouche vows to avenge his death and continue to speak out for his cause. The rest of the book deals with his struggles to survive and carry out his pledge, which isn't easy since the guy who killed his friend is a rich and powerful man. Along the way he has many adventures, romances, and encounters interesting characters. Fans of historical fiction and rollicking adventure should highly enjoy it. Show Less
LibraryThing member themulhern
A classic of its kind. Gives a useful description of some of the details of the early part of the French Revolution. Fun if ridiculous dialogue, an awesome protagonist, and the triumph of true love after many misunderstandings.
LibraryThing member Xleptodactylous
Wanted to read it all from the first page. Yes, paperback or the most beautiful edition you can find.
LibraryThing member dbsovereign
Fathers and sons dueling their way to idealism. A romantic novel that I loved as a child. The French Revolution seemed so bizarre that it wasn't any wonder [to me at the time] that folks had to keep changing sides to stay alive.
LibraryThing member mamzel
This is a swashbuckling romance/action story of a man named André-Louis Moreau who is outraged when a friend of his is coldly killed in a duel by a man named Marquis de La Tour D'Azyr, an aristocrat. André-Louis' words draw attention and he has to hide, joining a group of actors and taking the
The end of the book is very exciting with the French Revolution in full swing and the need to flee Paris. Surprises are in store for the reader.
Great fun and Simon Vance is perfectly comfortable with the tongue twisting French names.
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part of Scaramouche, a character known from the Punch and Judy puppet shows.Very soon he shows a great aptitude for acting and even shows promise as a writer bringing the troupe to prominence and drawing attention. He falls in love with the director's daughter and even asks her to marry him but is outraged when she draws the attention of de La Tour d'Azyr. After leaving the troupe he apprentices with a fencing master and now his plans to revenge his friend seem to show promise.The end of the book is very exciting with the French Revolution in full swing and the need to flee Paris. Surprises are in store for the reader.
Great fun and Simon Vance is perfectly comfortable with the tongue twisting French names.
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LibraryThing member Carl_Alves
Scaramouche is a long and winding journey through Revolutionary War France following the character of Andre-Louis Moreau. It starts off when his best friend is killed by a man who is trying to protect the old guard—the class system in France. Moreau doesn’t start off as a revolutionary, but his
Scaramouche has an adventurous swashbuckling quality to it. The novel mixes in historical events well with the action and plot of the story. It gives a pretty good feel for the life of revolutionary France. Although Andre-Louis is a good character, but my complaint with him is that everything comes too easy for him. He has no acting experience at all but becomes a famous stage actor with ease. He becomes a master fencer almost instantly. He’s a great politician and orator. It was all a bit much. Despite that, there was far more positive than negative in this novel. It had a great deal of intrigue and kept me wanting to read throughout.
Carl Alves – author of Two For Eternity
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desire to gain revenge for his friend turns him into one. The journey goes through an exiled Moreau becoming a famed stage actor, then turned master fencer, then becoming a politician leading France through its revolution. He carries this grudge with him throughout his life and his many different experiences.Scaramouche has an adventurous swashbuckling quality to it. The novel mixes in historical events well with the action and plot of the story. It gives a pretty good feel for the life of revolutionary France. Although Andre-Louis is a good character, but my complaint with him is that everything comes too easy for him. He has no acting experience at all but becomes a famous stage actor with ease. He becomes a master fencer almost instantly. He’s a great politician and orator. It was all a bit much. Despite that, there was far more positive than negative in this novel. It had a great deal of intrigue and kept me wanting to read throughout.
Carl Alves – author of Two For Eternity
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LibraryThing member datrappert
I read Sabatini's wonderful Captain Blood some time ago and have been meaning to return to his work. After my 13-year old daughter finished Scaramouche for the second time, and highly recommended it, I started reading her paperback copy, then switched to a Kindle version downloaded from Amazon.
Scaramouche is a story that takes its time getting to where it is going. I was expecting a real thriller like Captain Blood, but this isn't that type of book. The characterization, at least of the title character, the adopted son of a minor nobleman, is much deeper and this is truly a piece of historical fiction rather than an adventure novel. We see France during the inception of the French Revolution as the protagonist, seeking to avenge the death of a friend, becomes a spokesman for the third estate--the ordinary people who are trying to put an end to the unquestioned power of the nobles and the clergy. All this is very educational and quite well done. We get to meet, in passing, some of the historical personages of the revolution such as Danton. But the fun in the story is how the hero (although he is a hero with some obvious flaws) has to reinvent himself as he is fleeing arrest. First, he joins an acting troupe and is quickly writing their scenarios and becoming their star--thus his assuming the identity of Scaramouche. Later, he becomes a fencing master, which certainly comes in handy. All the while, the story is moving toward its inevitable climax when he must confront the despicable nobleman who killed his friend at the beginning of the book. Except, nothing is quite that simple here. Sabatini has a more complex story to tell, and he tells it well. Although this isn't what I was expecting, the book is very well written and never fails to hold the attention.
There is a sequel, Scaramouche the Kingmaker, which continues the story.
Sabatini is a not-quite forgotten writer who deserves to be read and re-read.
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This made it much easier to look up some of the odd words or French passages the author frequently uses.Scaramouche is a story that takes its time getting to where it is going. I was expecting a real thriller like Captain Blood, but this isn't that type of book. The characterization, at least of the title character, the adopted son of a minor nobleman, is much deeper and this is truly a piece of historical fiction rather than an adventure novel. We see France during the inception of the French Revolution as the protagonist, seeking to avenge the death of a friend, becomes a spokesman for the third estate--the ordinary people who are trying to put an end to the unquestioned power of the nobles and the clergy. All this is very educational and quite well done. We get to meet, in passing, some of the historical personages of the revolution such as Danton. But the fun in the story is how the hero (although he is a hero with some obvious flaws) has to reinvent himself as he is fleeing arrest. First, he joins an acting troupe and is quickly writing their scenarios and becoming their star--thus his assuming the identity of Scaramouche. Later, he becomes a fencing master, which certainly comes in handy. All the while, the story is moving toward its inevitable climax when he must confront the despicable nobleman who killed his friend at the beginning of the book. Except, nothing is quite that simple here. Sabatini has a more complex story to tell, and he tells it well. Although this isn't what I was expecting, the book is very well written and never fails to hold the attention.
There is a sequel, Scaramouche the Kingmaker, which continues the story.
Sabatini is a not-quite forgotten writer who deserves to be read and re-read.
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LibraryThing member sraelling
Clever dialog, albeit sometimes slower to read (sentence structure/word choice.) So glad to have found this gem. Published in 1921, André-Louis Moreau is a complicated character, even as a young man in his mid-twenties and already a lawyer, actor, fencing master, politician. It makes me wonder
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what he would have accomplished now? Show Less
LibraryThing member annmariegamble
Great romp, and a painless way to find out some of the politics of the French Revolution.
LibraryThing member MrsLee
Set just before and during the French Revolution. This is a ripping good story! Dare I say, as good as A Tale of Two Cities, without the tedious bits Dickens put in. It made me want to learn about the Italian Comedy Improvisation theater, and filled in some bits about the French Revolution that I
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didn't know I was missing. I will be looking for more books by this author. It didn't hurt a bit that Simon Vance was the narrator, and I'm glad I listened to it because the French names would have made me stumble with pronunciation if I were trying to read a book. Show Less
LibraryThing member charlie68
A fun, adventurous trip through pre-revolutionary France.
Language
Original language
English
Other editions
Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini (Paperback)