Title: Scaramouche
Author: Rafael Sabatini
First published January 1, 1921
415 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780895263100 (ISBN10: 0895263106)
Rating: 4.09
Overview
In Under the Wide and Starry Sky, Nancy Horan tells the captivating story of Fanny van de Grift Osbourne, a woman who leaves behind her cheating husband and travels to Europe with her children, seeking solace in art. But fate has other plans, and she meets Robert Louis Stevenson, a young lawyer with a passion for literature.
Despite their age difference, a fiery love affair ignites between them, taking them on a journey around the world in search of better health for Stevenson. This epic tale of love and adventure is a tribute to the enduring power of the human spirit and a testament to the strength of Fanny, a woman ahead of her time, who fought against all odds to be with the man she loved.
About the Author
Rafael Sabatini was a talented Italian/British writer who specialized in novels of romance and adventure. Growing up, he was exposed to many languages and became proficient in five of them by the age of seventeen.
He then quickly added a sixth language – English – to his repertoire. After a brief stint in the business world, Sabatini pursued his passion for writing.
He started with short stories in the 1890s and published his first novel in 1902. Sabatini was a prolific writer, releasing a new book almost every year.
He deliberately chose to write in English, believing that the best stories were written in this language.
Throughout his career, Sabatini produced an impressive body of work, including thirty-one novels, eight short story collections, six nonfiction books, numerous uncollected short stories, and a play. He is most recognized for his world-renowned bestsellers, such as The Sea Hawk (1915), Scaramouche (1921), Captain Blood (1922), and Bellarion the Fortunate (1926).
His other notable works include The Lion’s Skin (1911), The Strolling Saint (1913), and The Snare (1917).
Editoral Review
In 1921, Rafael Sabatini published Scaramouche, a novel that has since become a classic in the adventure genre. The author, a prolific writer of historical fiction, combines action, romance, and political intrigue to create a story that transports the reader to 18th-century France.
With vivid descriptions and lively dialogue, Sabatini evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of the time, bringing to life a world of duels, disguises, and dangerous liaisons. The novel follows the journey of Andre-Louis Moreau, a young lawyer from a privileged background who becomes a revolutionary after witnessing a friend’s unjust execution.
Fleeing from the authorities, Andre-Louis takes on the guise of Scaramouche, a buffoonish actor who uses his wit and swordsmanship to survive in a world of aristocratic excess and popular revolt. Along the way, he falls in love with Aline de Kercadiou, a woman who shares his ideals and challenges his assumptions about class and privilege.
Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, Scaramouche explores themes of justice, equality, and identity, as well as the cost of political change. Through Andre-Louis’ eyes, we see the conflicting forces of tradition and progress, order and chaos, and the human toll of history-making.
Sabatini’s writing is both engaging and incisive, capturing the passions and contradictions of his characters with sensitivity and flair.
One of the strengths of the novel is Sabatini’s skillful pacing and plotting.
He balances action with introspection, humor with tragedy, and romance with moral ambiguity, creating a rich tapestry of characters and events that keeps the reader engaged. The supporting cast, including the suave aristocrat Philippe de Vilmorin, the ruthless rebel La Tour d’Azyr, and the enigmatic Marquis de La Tour-Samuel, adds depth and complexity to the story, highlighting the diversity of perspectives and motivations within the wider political landscape.
However, the novel does have some limitations. The depiction of women, although sympathetic in some cases, falls short of modern feminist standards, with many female characters serving mainly as objects of desire or catalysts for male action.
The language and style of the novel, while elegant and charming, may also be challenging for some modern readers, as it reflects the verbal and cultural conventions of its time. Despite these criticisms, Scaramouche remains a thrilling and thought-provoking read, with much to offer audiences today.
Its examination of power, privilege, and revolution is still relevant, and its portrayal of characters who question their own assumptions and values is both inspiring and enlightening. I would highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, adventure novels, and classic literature.
It deserves a place on any book lover’s shelf. Overall, I would give Scaramouche a score of 8 out of 10.
Its strengths in plot, character, and themes outweigh its weaknesses in language and gender representation, making it a timeless classic of its genre.
