Thoughts on Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini

Another one bites the dust, to quote a famous Queen song.  Another famous Queen lyric, "Scaramouche, Scaramouche, can you do the Fandango?".  Thus, a not so subtle segue into my most recent read, Rafael Sabatini's "Scaramouche" (1921).  Full of political intrigue, sword fights and sword-fighting politicians (isn't redundancy redundant?), "Scaramouche" was an interesting period piece and had one of the best opening lines I have ever read: "He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad".  

It was a rollicking journey that began in the French countryside at the beginning of the French Revolution.  In walks our not so heroic hero, Andre-Louis Moreau.  He is the most unlikeable, cowardly, hypocritical and yet oddly intriguing protagonist I've had the pleasure to go on an adventure with.  After the murder of his best friend at the hands of a protector of the Privileged (M. de la Tour d'Azur), Moreau goes on a rampage, inciting revolutionary riots and causing general menace.  Eventually, he settles in with an acting troupe and on goes his journey of revenge.  There is a GREAT ending, and a solid romance that subtly intertwines itself with Moreau's more human qualities. 

Recently, I finished helping a friend produce a piece of theatre that included segments from Commedia dell'arte charactures so the Theatre scenes were really thrilling for me.  For those unfamiliar, this is a form of Italian Improv that surrounds the use of character masks.  Each mask denotes (and the characters have evolved and changed over time) a certain personality, name and set of characteristics.  Take for example, Dotorei, the bumbling Doctor who is brilliant, loves science and often misses the point.  Or Arrlechino, the harlot who ends up getting the better of everyone with her shenanigans.  Scaramouche is one such character, and Andre-Louis Moreau's character is defined by Scaramouche's characteristics.  Not only does he play Scaramouche on the stage, but he lives his life with the sardonic wit, devious plotting and the ability to get out of any sticky situation.  Endlessly adaptable, the character of Scaramouche gives a new dimension and narrative frame to the book.  A character within a character. 

Also, did I mention the sword-fighting?  and the Frenchness (although Sabatini was born in Italy and raised in England I believe)?  I ended up putting on "Fan Fan la Tulipe| and making lentil salad just to capture the mood.  Le sigh.

Oh, and there is a great movie adaptation, if you like that kind of thing.  Which I do.

Thanks for reading.  I'm sure to read another book soon so keep checking back.  Ta for now.