Scaramouche

By: Rafael Sabatini

Narrated by: Robert Whitfield

Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

With swordfights and romance, adventure and treachery set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, this is the book that made Sabatini famous. Andre-Louis Moreau has good prospects as a young lawyer, but an unfair duel with the ruthlessly cruel Count de La Tour d'Azyr leaves Andre-Louis' best friend dead and Andre-Louis himself a fugitive from the King's justice.

While incognito, he becomes both a wildly popular actor and a firebrand of the Revolution. His vow to avenge his friend's murder leads him deeper into the political intrigues that surround the Revolution, and to a position of power. But there are secrets to be revealed that will stun all of Paris.

One of the best historical romances of all time, Scaramouche was a best seller upon its original publication in the US in 1921.

Public Domain (P)2006 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"All in all, this 'sheer knight-errantry' is a marvelous entertainment." (Kirkus Reviews)

Excellent.

This is a thrilling tale that will keep you in suspense and surprise you at every turn. I enjoyed it so much, I finished it in just a few days. The reader is very good and creates a unique voice for each character.
The book reminded me of A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens and The Count of Monte Christo by Dumas.

Excellent

A great story, well read by Robert Whitfield. There is enough action, romance, and adventure to keep you interested, but this story is mostly about revenge.

It’s not as good a revenge story as The Count of Monte Cristo, but is excellent nonetheless.

The narration is terrific.

If you like this book, you will almost certainly also like Captain Blood by the same author and narrator.

Great book, bit hard to get into but worth it

Once you get into it enjoyed every minute. Used when running and helps especially on the long ones. Hated to have it end

Brilliant; dazzling; brilliantly performed by Robert Whitfield

Beautifully written. Set against the French revolution. Filled with color and brilliantly detailed evocation of the.

A fun and lighthearted story!

What did you love best about Scaramouche?

This is such a fun story to listen to. It is also an old movie if you ever get a chance to watch it after you listen to the book you will enjoy both!

excellent story

Couldn't get enough, fun and enjoyable, the story has a great pace with tons of tricks and plot twists, and the narrator did a ln excellent job.

A Completely Enjoyable Scaramouche!

I'd never read anything by Sabatini before but fortunately was attracted to his work by reading the enthusiastic listener reviews of Scaramouche.

I found Scaramouche savory, witty, moving, and suspenseful, with compelling characters acting believably in the richly researched and imagined historical setting, and an inevitable and satisfying denouement. I respect Sabatini's objective, cynical view of the French Revolution (and of human nature) and his avoidance of sensational action and cheap sentimentality in favor of psychological drama. Andre-Louis Moreau, the lawyer-agitator-actor-swordsman-lover, is a wonderful character to carry the story: ironic, intelligent, brave, charismatic, romantic, self-castigating, capable of great pretense and great honesty, a man of action who denies he is a man of action. And Sabatini effectively has his narrator tell the story of about two key years in the life of a "real" historical figure, drawing on Andre Louis' "Confessions" and "real" documents like playbills contemporary with the events of the novel, and often criticizing his behavior, character, or motivations.

Throughout, the reader Robert Whitfield does a fine job, speaking clearly at an easy pace, effectively changing his voice for the different characters in their different moods: the uptight, arrogant, refined, icy and yet passionate Marquis de la Tour d'Azyr; the weak, self-serving, envious, and buffoonish actor M. Binet; the foul-mouthed, hot-tempered, good-natured, giant revolutionary Danton, the kind blue-blood Mme. de Plugastel, the innocent and spunky Aline de Kercadiou, the rough and simple Quintin de Kercadiou, and of course the complex Andre-Louis.

I often found myself unable to stop listening, saying, "one more chapter!" It was a great listen.

If you haven't discovered Sabatini, start here!

Scaramouche is a totally satisfying story in the tradition of Dumas ("Three Musketeers") and Hugo ("Les Miserables") by a an author who may not be as well read today as he deserves. Excellent story, excellent performance. Every Sabatini book that I have read is fun.

Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will u do the Fandango?

Thunderbolt and lightning,
Very, very frightening me.
(Galileo) Galileo.
(Galileo) Galileo,
Galileo Figaro.
Magnifico.

F. Mercury, "Bohemian Rhapsody," 1975.


This rollicking romantic adventure, first published in 1921, follows the life, loves and transformation of Andre-Louis Moreau, from cynical lawyer to comic actor (playing the clownish Italian character, Scaramouche) and, ultimately, into a swashbuckling romantic.

If you enjoyed Alexandre Dumas' romantic adventures, The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, you should like this novel (though not quite on the same adventure level as the works of Dumas).

sweeping tale intersecting the French Revolution

this book is perhaps one of the best stories ever written. expertly narrated by Robert Whitfield, who also read 'Captain Blood.' it is thoughtful and contemplative. just, breathtaking in rich detail and inner thought. spellbinding. I would be fortunate to call Scaramouche my friend.