The Love and War Version
The Characters
Read the Novel
Read "Scaramouche - the Kingmaker"
Summary
The Original: Scaramouche
Author: Rafael Sabatini
Original Time of Plot: 1787-1792
The Plot:
Andre-Louis Moreau seems to be able to
land on his feet no matter what the circumstances. Of unknown parentage, he
nevertheless starts out with the patronage of the Lord of Gavrillac who has him
educated as a lawyer. After his friend, Philippe deVilmorin, is killed by the
Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr, Moreau becomes a master orator for a cause in which
he does not yet believe and moves the people of Rennes and Nantes to embrace the
ideals of his dead friend.
Fleeing the enemies he has made because of
his speeches, Andre-Louis joins a troupe of travelling players and discovers his
talents for writing and acting. He becomes Scaramouche, a master manipulator.
When he is unable to resist an opportunity to denounce de la Tour d'Azyr from
the stage, he must escape again.
This time he goes to Paris and becomes a
fencing instructor. After gaining expertise in weaponry, Moreau again is
presented with an opportunity to foil his enemy's plans, this time as a
representative in the States General. But, his fate and that of the Marquis are
interlocked and the action continues to build to a climax and conclusion that
was as surprizing for me as it was reasonable.
Sabatini's 1923 swashbuckler epitomizes the turbulent
years preceding the French Revolution--which of necessity imposes literatry
restrictions on the plotting. Despite uneven pacing in spots, the story unfolds
with dramatic excitement, intrigue and hidden identity. The protagonist is
depicted as somewhat callous, but one wonders how much of his cool heartlessness
is but a facade. This adventure read is a romantic piece of historical fiction,
which also educates in that it encourages readers to reflect on the legitimate
grievances of the French people in the face of the arrogance and authority of
the monarchy and the nobility.
Young Andre-Louis Moreau, an illegitimate orphan raised
by a kindly landowner in Brittany, is shocked at the swaggering indifference of
the local Marquis, who deliberately provoked and murdered Andre's best friend in
an unfair duel. Swearing personal vengance upon this hated representative of
Privilege, Andre pleges to espouse the very views he formerly ridiculed.
Refusing to have his friend's ideas silenced, he becomes atalented rabble-rowser.
Once discovering his amazing powers of oratory, Andre is forced into hiding from
regional authorities by joining a troupe of traveling actors who specialize in
Commedia del'Arte--based on the Italian style of improvization.
Quickly becoming embroiled in many passionate
intrigues--both amorous and political--Andre is swept up as frenzied Paris
rushes headlong into emotional fervor over the wisdom and efficacy of a
Constitutional Monarchy. Alternately plying his trade as actor/author/manager or
as a fencing master, the godson of Gavrillac ultimately is obliged to return to
the seething political arena. Throughout his existence Andre is proudly
motivated to become the nemesis of the cruel Marquis, which unfortunately causes
great anguish among several hearts of the gentry from Brittany. This fascinating
tale transports readers to the prelude of the French bloodbath two centuries
earlier.
Andre-Louis Moreau, (or Scaramouche, as he later
becomes known), is a fascinatingly complex protagonist. Courageous, intelligent,
quick-witted and intensely moral, Moreau is a character whose personal quest for
revenge against the villainous Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr is a masterfully-woven
story of swashbuckling action, romance and social conflict during the turbulent
years of the French Revolution.
Well-born lawyer. Fugitive. Dramatic actor. Expert
swordsman. Impassioned, mob-inciting orator. Revolutionary politician. Sabatini
sets Moreau upon an intriguing path of fate, development and discovery, a
fictionalized yet compelling account of a single man's ultimate test of human
character as the world around him spirals into madness. Though Moreau is
driven by his hatred and his quest for revenge, the spirit of his character is
not defined by them, and the conflict of these passions with his ideals brings
depth and substance to his exploits on the Theatre Feydau, the fencing halls of
Paris, the floor of the National Assembly and his pursuit of the beautiful Aline
de Kercadiou.
(Thanks to Carol for the summary!)
The Characters
Andre-Louis Moreau
Aline de Kercadieu (not yet available)
Marquis de la Tour d'Azyr (not yet available)
Madame de Plougastel (not yet available)
Isaac le Chapelier
Baron de Batz
The Love and War
Below are links to the threads written so far. Please note that some of the content may be unsuitable for persons under 18yrs of age.
An Affair to Remember - The illicit love affair which brought Moreau into the world.
The Final Dual - After Moreau's fight with D'Azyr.
Fencing School - Mme Plougastel tries to convince Moreau that Aline was not crying over D'Azyr's injuries.
Apology to Aline - Moreau visits Aline to try to make amends.
Rejected & dejected - Moreau drowns his sorrows with Isaac.
Desparately seeking solace - Aline turns to Mme de Plougastel for comfort and advice.
Gavrillac - Moreau travels to his godfather's home at Gavrillac to warn him of the danger facing Aline, if she persists in her friendship with Mme de Plougastel.
Sanctuary* - Riots, revelations, and an abrupt getaway.
Exiles* - Moreau escourts Aline and Mme de Plougastel to Kolenz.