Scaramouche: A Romance of the French Revolution

by Rafael Sabatini

Overview

Scaramouche is a historical novel by Rafael Sabatini, originally published in 1921. It was subsequently adapted into a play by Barbara Field and into feature films, first in 1923 starring Ramón Novarro, Scaramouche (1923), and a remake in 1952 with Stewart Granger. A romantic adventure, Scaramouche tells the story of a young lawyer during the French Revolution. In the course of his adventures he becomes an actor portraying "Scaramouche" (also called Scaramuccia, a roguish buffoon character in the commedia dell'arte). He also becomes a revolutionary, politician, and fencing-master, confounding his enemies with his powerful orations and swordsmanship. He is forced by circumstances to change sides several times. The book also depicts his transformation from cynic to idealist. (wikipedia.org)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781604445244
Publisher:	Indoeuropeanpublishing.com
Publication date:	06/07/2011
Pages:	306
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

Known as "The Last of the Great Swashbucklers," Rafael Sabatini (1875-1950) was an Italian-born author whose best-known works include The Sea-Hawk, Scaramouche, and Captain Blood.

Simon Vance, a former BBC Radio presenter and newsreader, is a full-time actor who has appeared on both stage and television. He has recorded over eight hundred audiobooks and has earned five coveted Audie Awards, and he has won fifty-seven Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, which has named him a Golden Voice.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

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

Editorial Reviews

Delightfully courtly, flowery but not dated, Sabatini's period romances--Scaramouche unfolds over the years leading up to the French Revolution--were deservedly popular when originally published, during the 20s and 30s. (July)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

The Italian-born Sabatini (1875-1950), who first published this swashbuckler in 1921, always received more popular acclaim than critical praise, and it's easy to see why. His historical romance (written in English, the language of Sabatini's mother), set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, has all the elements that made his books such appealing movies: sword fights, swooning damsels, class conflict, and melodramatic revelation. It also means long speeches and armchair historical editorializing. But Sabatini wears much of his research lightly, and the stoicism of his central character drives a clean path through the difficult politics of the actual events. As Scaramouche changes his costumes-from lawyer to actor to duelist-Sabatini indulges in his love of period detail. All in all, this "sheer knight-errantcy" is a marvelous entertainment.

Kirkus Reviews

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

From the Publisher

Honorable, acerbic, and resourceful André-Louis Moreau, the reputed son of a French aristocrat, born on the wrong side of the blanket, is forced into hiding when he makes a bitter enemy of the wicked Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr. Moreau’s adventures lead him to assume many roles—from actor Scaramouche to fencing master to politician—as his life and his part in the coming French Revolution unfold. Simon Vance is masterful in his delivery of this swashbuckling story. With his smooth, mesmerizing British accent and ability to make each character distinct and memorable, this is a feast for the ears. Not to be missed. A.C.P. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

JULY 2011 - AudioFile