Scaramouche

A Romance of the French Revolution

By: Rafael Sabatini

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The passionate Andre-Louis Moreau makes an unexpected entrance into the French Revolution when he vows to avenge his best friend's death. His target: Monsieur de La Tour d'Azyr, the aristocratic villain who killed his friend. Andre-Louis rallies the underclass to join him in his mission against the supreme power of the nobility. Soon the rebel leader must go underground, disguising himself as "Scaramouche" in a traveling group of actors. In the midst of his swashbuckling adventures and his country's revolution, he discovers the secret of his own identity.

Public Domain (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

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

Liberty and Justice at the End of a Rapier Wit

Truly great historical literature often reflects the era it's written in as much as the era written about, and it typically resonates well into the future for the same reasons. In our modern world where civil liberties are dying one at a time and the power of the masses is called into question, this book will most definitely resonate. This is not my first venture into the world of Scaramouche, nor will it be my last. I mark this not only as one of my all-time favorites, but also as Sabatini's best in my humble opinion. The author's prose is spot-on in defending the morals of liberty, denouncing the over-privileged, and smirking into the face of opposition with a laugh and a wit as sharp as the sword of his hero. Eloquent, dangerous, and unrelenting, Scaramouche and his author are timeless in their righteousness. If you've not read this one, I can't recommend it enough.

BRILLIANT!

WOW, Why have I never read this story before! It is brilliant on so many levels. Fantastic! 👏👏

Excellent Production Of A Classic Novel

Any additional comments?

I was curious about this novel having loved the 1950's MGM movie. This was the first Sabatini novel and found it very well written and entertaining. There was also a lot of great historical information about the start of the French Revolution mixed into the tale. Kind of a melodramatic ending was it's only fault but that is forgiven considering it's age. Simon Vance is a wonderful narrator and brings the story to life with fantastic french pronunciation which puts the ones in my head while reading to pathic shame. If you are a historical novel lover this is a classic and well worth putting on you listening list. And oh.....MGM changed the story a lot although the silent version was just on AMC and it did an excellent job of translating the story to film.

Brilliant at every level

Surprisingly contemporary and wonderfully written, Simon Vance's performance brings Sabatini's masterpiece to life. At once subtle, inventive, thrilling, and informative, it is a pure pleasure to experience.

Sabatini is the Master of Historical Romance

A timeless story, with timely morals. This classic remains as relevant today as when it was first published. Themes of equality, class, virtue, patriotism, loyalty, sacrifice, love and honor all play out in a compelling story that does not feel contrived. The book also inspired much-acclaimed classic films in the 1920's and 1950's, and it is puzzling that no one has bothered creating a modern adaptation. Goodness knows, there are ample correlations between the French Revolution and current events. We all have a sense that the world is mad.

Exceptional all the way

Loved it from beginning to end. And even though my suspicions were right; it was so beautifully played out nothing spoils.

A tale of revenge but with an unexpected ending

This was a fun story about a time., The French revolution, which is not well represented in historical fiction. The main character Andrea Lui Morrow six to get his revenge against A French marquis who has killed morals best friend. Miral one runs a vowel of the law and Hass to go into hiding in an acting troupe and later leaves the troop to pursue his part in the beginnings of the French revolution. He also becomes a fencing instructor during that time. I don’t want to reveal too much last I give out any spoilersA good read and well recommended

I love Rafael Sabatini!

I haven’t red a single one I didn’t love and this one is another home run!

A pure delight

This treasure was beautifully written and narrated and had me enthralled from start to finish.
Highly recommended!

Overlooked

Gripping, but not through swordplay or swinging from chandeliers. The book is surprisingly emotional, and it’s the interpersonal relationships that keep you on edge. Also, in a deft handful of pages the author manages to do what even Dickens failed so miserably at, and that is to make the reader actually feel the cruelty and corruption of the First Estate, to convincingly convey the rot of the aristocracy, while at the same time letting the reader see the revolution through the eyes of a hero naturally skeptical that its replacement would be any less tyrannical.

It feels almost like a stereotype to call this book by a half-Italian author “passionate.” But that really does sum it up.

N.B. Yes be prepared to have that Queen song in your head the whole time.