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Scaramouche #2
Scaramouche The Kingmaker
Description
Another adventure from Sabatini’s remarkable and much-loved hero. In Scaramouche the Kingmaker, Andre Louis again dons his famous and much-admired disguise to embark upon a new adventure - and one full of the thrill and swashbuckling action that has earnt Sabatini his place in the hall of great writers.
Excerpt
It was suspected of him by many that he had no heart.
Repeatedly he allows this suspicion to be perceived in the course of those confessions of his upon which I drew so freely for the story of the first part of his odd life. In the beginning of that story we see him turning his back, at the dictates of affection, upon an assured career in the service of Privilege. At the end of it we see him forsaking the cause of the people in which he had prospered and, again at the dictates of affection, abandoning the great position won.
Of the man who twice within the first twenty-eight years of his life, deliberately, in the service of others, destroys his chances of success, it is foolish to say that he has no heart. But it was the whim of André-Louis Moreau to foster this illusion. His imagination had early been touched by the teaching of Epictetus, and deliberately he sought to assume the characteristics of a Stoic: one who would never permit his reason to be clouded by sentiment, or his head to be governed by his heart.
He was, of course, by temperament an actor. It was as Scaramouche, and as author, player and organizer of the Binet Troupe that he had found his true vocation. Persisting in it his genius might have won him a renown greater than the combined renowns of Beaumarchais and Talma. Desisting from it, however, he had carried his histrionic temperament into such walks of life as he thereafter trod, taking the world for his stage.
Such temperaments are common enough, and commonly they are merely tiresome.
André-Louis Moreau, however, succeeds in winning our interest by the unexpectedness of what he somewhere frankly and fantastically calls his exteriorizations. His gift of laughter is responsible for this. The comic muse is ever at his elbow, though not always obvious. She remained with him to the end, although in this, the second part of his history, his indulgence of the old humour is fraught with a certain bitterness in a measure as the conviction is borne in upon him that in the madness of the world there is more evil than was perceived even by those philosophers who have sought to teach it sanity.
His flight from Paris at a moment when, as a man of State, a great career was opening before him, was a sacrifice dictated by the desire to procure the safety of those he loved: Aline de Kercadiou, whom he hoped to marry Monsieur de Kercadiou, his godfather and Madame de Plougastel, whose natural son it had been so lately discovered to him that he was. That flight was effected without adventure. Every barrier was removed by the passport carried by the Representative André-Louis Moreau, which announced that he travelled on the business of the National Assembly, commanded all to lend him such assistance as he might require, and warned all that they hindered him at their peril.
The berline conveying them travelled by way of Rheims but continuing eastward it began to find the roads increasingly encumbered by troops, gun-carriages, service-wagons and commissariat trains and all the unending impedimenta of an army on the march.
So as to make progress, they were constrained to turn north, towards Charleville, and thence east again, crossing the lines of the National Army, still commanded by Luckner and La Fayette, which awaited the enemy who for over a month now had been massing on the banks of the Rhine.
Another adventure from Sabatini’s remarkable and much-loved hero. In Scaramouche the Kingmaker, Andre Louis again dons his famous and much-admired disguise to embark upon a new adventure - and one full of the thrill and swashbuckling action that has earnt Sabatini his place in the hall of great writers.
Excerpt
It was suspected of him by many that he had no heart.
Repeatedly he allows this suspicion to be perceived in the course of those confessions of his upon which I drew so freely for the story of the first part of his odd life. In the beginning of that story we see him turning his back, at the dictates of affection, upon an assured career in the service of Privilege. At the end of it we see him forsaking the cause of the people in which he had prospered and, again at the dictates of affection, abandoning the great position won.
Of the man who twice within the first twenty-eight years of his life, deliberately, in the service of others, destroys his chances of success, it is foolish to say that he has no heart. But it was the whim of André-Louis Moreau to foster this illusion. His imagination had early been touched by the teaching of Epictetus, and deliberately he sought to assume the characteristics of a Stoic: one who would never permit his reason to be clouded by sentiment, or his head to be governed by his heart.
He was, of course, by temperament an actor. It was as Scaramouche, and as author, player and organizer of the Binet Troupe that he had found his true vocation. Persisting in it his genius might have won him a renown greater than the combined renowns of Beaumarchais and Talma. Desisting from it, however, he had carried his histrionic temperament into such walks of life as he thereafter trod, taking the world for his stage.
Such temperaments are common enough, and commonly they are merely tiresome.
André-Louis Moreau, however, succeeds in winning our interest by the unexpectedness of what he somewhere frankly and fantastically calls his exteriorizations. His gift of laughter is responsible for this. The comic muse is ever at his elbow, though not always obvious. She remained with him to the end, although in this, the second part of his history, his indulgence of the old humour is fraught with a certain bitterness in a measure as the conviction is borne in upon him that in the madness of the world there is more evil than was perceived even by those philosophers who have sought to teach it sanity.
His flight from Paris at a moment when, as a man of State, a great career was opening before him, was a sacrifice dictated by the desire to procure the safety of those he loved: Aline de Kercadiou, whom he hoped to marry Monsieur de Kercadiou, his godfather and Madame de Plougastel, whose natural son it had been so lately discovered to him that he was. That flight was effected without adventure. Every barrier was removed by the passport carried by the Representative André-Louis Moreau, which announced that he travelled on the business of the National Assembly, commanded all to lend him such assistance as he might require, and warned all that they hindered him at their peril.
The berline conveying them travelled by way of Rheims but continuing eastward it began to find the roads increasingly encumbered by troops, gun-carriages, service-wagons and commissariat trains and all the unending impedimenta of an army on the march.
So as to make progress, they were constrained to turn north, towards Charleville, and thence east again, crossing the lines of the National Army, still commanded by Luckner and La Fayette, which awaited the enemy who for over a month now had been massing on the banks of the Rhine.
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1931
10 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
About the author
Rafael Sabatini
658 books535 followersRafael Sabatini (1875 - 1950) was an Italian/British writer of novels of romance and adventure. At a young age, Rafael was exposed to many languages. By the time he was seventeen, he was the master of five languages. He quickly added a sixth language - English - to his linguistic collection. After a brief stint in the business world, Sabatini went to work as a writer. He wrote short stories in the 1890s, and his first novel came out in 1902. Sabatini was a prolific writer; he produced a new book approximately every year. He consciously chose to write in his adopted language, because, he said, "all the best stories are written in English. " In all, he produced thirty one novels, eight short story collections, six nonfiction books, numerous uncollected short stories, and a play. He is best known for his world-wide bestsellers: The Sea Hawk (1915), Scaramouche (1921), Captain Blood (1922) and Bellarion the Fortunate (1926). Other famous works by Sabatini are The Lion's Skin (1911), The Strolling Saint (1913) and The Snare (1917).
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 13, 2016
This sequel to Scaramouche opens pretty much where we left off in the first book—Andre-Louis had rescued Aline, M. de Kercadieu, and Mme and M Plougastel and finds himself now among the nobility and the court who he was so far opposing in a sense. While he has certainly not ‘switched’ sides entirely, he begins to find himself disillusioned with the revolutionaries as well, and soon working with a group that seeks to restore monarchy (for the most part in order to be able to marry Aline, who finds herself not only the object of the Regent’s unwelcome attentions but a pawn in a power struggle of sorts in the court). Andre-Louis (who briefly reprises his Scaramouche avatar) is cold and calculating—determined to bring about the downfall of the revolutionaries. He is concerned about and does not wish to harm the innocent but quite ruthless and relentless when it comes to the corrupt and corruptible. The book does a good job of weaving in the characters and their stories with historical figures. We meet Robespierre and Desmoulins and Danton is certainly present even if we don’t come face to face with him. The atmosphere of the reign of terror in which the book is set is well described—power structures are precarious, the whole scenario inflammable in a sense (any spark can set it off), and the common people seem to merely have found one set of despots replaced with another (as Andre-Louis himself writes at one point). I enjoyed this sequel which was an engrossing read. I can’t really compare it with the previous book as I left too long a gap between the two and don’t really remember all the details of the first except the broad plot and that I did enjoy it.
July 30, 2013
I was led to believe from various reviews that I had read over the years that I would be disappointed in this book, and that in it I would not recognize the hero I had grown to love from the first book in this series. And, in truth, it was indeed hard to find "Scaramouche" herein. Plus, in almost every instance where André-Louis Moreau is referenced as Scaramouche, it felt to me out of place, forced upon the reader by Sabatini as a bridge back to the original tale (perhaps this was forced upon him by publishers as a marketing necessity).
Despite this, and despite it being harder to feel as good about André's actions in this second venture, it was an enjoyable journey for me. I very much liked the scheming nature of this one. André is a remarkable swordsman—as demonstrated in the first novel—but there is no swash and buckle to be had in this sequel. Still, instead of his sword, André always was best served by his sharper wit, his amazing ability to steer all of his faculties (and to be successful) into any cause he chose to champion.
Whether André has victory in this story or not, I leave it to other readers to determine. In Sabatin's last effort with the character, André's hands definitely get dirty. He is not as cleanly heroic as I would have liked him, but I also cannot feel too badly for those he is, at times, callously undermining or condemning to death. Sabatini seems more than happy to give his heroes some major faults while also endowing his villains some admirable qualities.
Despite this, and despite it being harder to feel as good about André's actions in this second venture, it was an enjoyable journey for me. I very much liked the scheming nature of this one. André is a remarkable swordsman—as demonstrated in the first novel—but there is no swash and buckle to be had in this sequel. Still, instead of his sword, André always was best served by his sharper wit, his amazing ability to steer all of his faculties (and to be successful) into any cause he chose to champion.
Whether André has victory in this story or not, I leave it to other readers to determine. In Sabatin's last effort with the character, André's hands definitely get dirty. He is not as cleanly heroic as I would have liked him, but I also cannot feel too badly for those he is, at times, callously undermining or condemning to death. Sabatini seems more than happy to give his heroes some major faults while also endowing his villains some admirable qualities.
April 12, 2012
The sequel to Scaramouche, this is a very different novel. Scaramouche was filled with comedy, wit, adventure, sword-play and traditional motivations right out of Dumas---revenge, love, survival, and greed.
Scaramouche, the King Maker is its much more dark and cynical cousin. Gone, for the most part, are Andre Louis' unending witty repartee and cutting come-backs. He is now pure Machiavellian schemer who seems to bring the downfall of the powerful as a whim and sends men (mostly scoundrels, but innocents also get caught as collateral damage) to the guillotine simply as a game or test of his skill. Despite being one of the best swordsmen in France, there is not a single duel. He never draws his blade. His mind and capacity to plot and exploit the weaknesses of powerful men is much more powerful.
We watch over and over again as he coaxes the wealthy and powerful out onto a limb, while he saws it off behind them with a cynical smile, taking no joy in his success. He has no true motivation, no principles----he does not support any cause, in fact he has contempt for those who benefit from his machinations. He just manipulates and wreaks havoc.
Yes, his love for Aline in a primary motivator, but I found his behavior to be disturbing and amoral. I think that might be what Sabatini was looking for. This novel is a condemnation of the French Revolution as well as how power corrupts all it touches. There are no heroes in this novel, really. All are protecting their own interest and whose head will fall into the basket is more a function of timing and which way the wind blows.
The King Maker is nowhere near as much fun as Scaramouche. It is sort of like The Unforgiven was to westerns---an adventure of the French Revolution without the romance and myth. Just betrayal, greed, the exercise of power, and the basest of human traits on display. In other words, it is realistic and a more complex and modern novel.
Scaramouche, the King Maker is its much more dark and cynical cousin. Gone, for the most part, are Andre Louis' unending witty repartee and cutting come-backs. He is now pure Machiavellian schemer who seems to bring the downfall of the powerful as a whim and sends men (mostly scoundrels, but innocents also get caught as collateral damage) to the guillotine simply as a game or test of his skill. Despite being one of the best swordsmen in France, there is not a single duel. He never draws his blade. His mind and capacity to plot and exploit the weaknesses of powerful men is much more powerful.
We watch over and over again as he coaxes the wealthy and powerful out onto a limb, while he saws it off behind them with a cynical smile, taking no joy in his success. He has no true motivation, no principles----he does not support any cause, in fact he has contempt for those who benefit from his machinations. He just manipulates and wreaks havoc.
Yes, his love for Aline in a primary motivator, but I found his behavior to be disturbing and amoral. I think that might be what Sabatini was looking for. This novel is a condemnation of the French Revolution as well as how power corrupts all it touches. There are no heroes in this novel, really. All are protecting their own interest and whose head will fall into the basket is more a function of timing and which way the wind blows.
The King Maker is nowhere near as much fun as Scaramouche. It is sort of like The Unforgiven was to westerns---an adventure of the French Revolution without the romance and myth. Just betrayal, greed, the exercise of power, and the basest of human traits on display. In other words, it is realistic and a more complex and modern novel.
January 17, 2023
It was only after I finished with a sense of dissapointment a book I thought contained much more sword on sword action did I realize I had read the sequel first.
And having read the first installment, I see my dissapointment was misplaced because the first Scaramouche is a snoozer as well.
I rather liked the political intrigue here a great deal more than Andre-Louis' aimless drifiting from the first novel. De Batz is a worthy side-kick and the addition of an actual, tangible threat towards Aline's chasteness from the King Regent added greatly to the momentum of the tale. (though I mean dang, can't Andre trust Aline to not be wooed by the promise of wealth and affluence alone after what went on in the first book?) Andre's father the Marquis being completely absent is kind of a let down, I would have liked him to have played even a small part in the tale. But hey, it's a sequel that greatly improves on the stuff of the first book and has a satisfying conclusion. Captain Blood is still my favorite though.
And having read the first installment, I see my dissapointment was misplaced because the first Scaramouche is a snoozer as well.
I rather liked the political intrigue here a great deal more than Andre-Louis' aimless drifiting from the first novel. De Batz is a worthy side-kick and the addition of an actual, tangible threat towards Aline's chasteness from the King Regent added greatly to the momentum of the tale. (though I mean dang, can't Andre trust Aline to not be wooed by the promise of wealth and affluence alone after what went on in the first book?) Andre's father the Marquis being completely absent is kind of a let down, I would have liked him to have played even a small part in the tale. But hey, it's a sequel that greatly improves on the stuff of the first book and has a satisfying conclusion. Captain Blood is still my favorite though.
January 8, 2021
This sequel was both what I expected it to be and what I did not expect it to be. Where the first took place over many years, this book is concerned with the events of a shorter period — no more than two years, I believe, without going back to check dates. This period includes the Reign of Terror, during which our protagonist strives to whip the frenzy higher still and precipitate the end of the bloody revolution.
Some reviews (and the narrator himself) have said that the André of this book is a bitter, colder version than we saw previously. I’m not sure I agree. In my mind, André-Louis has always served his own purposes, often regardless of the effect on others, unless he bears them particular affection. Ever Scaramouche, if you will.
It is true, however, that in The King-Maker, André is at last honest about his selfish pursuits. After sacrificing his political career and growing disillusioned with the course of the revolution which he himself once championed, he now serves the French Regent with the one aim of being able to marry Aline after the conflict’s end. He isn’t spurred by any idealistic convictions now, and never having truly believed he was before, I find this honesty about his motivations an interesting turn, as it signals André’s disillusionment, as well as a greater self-knowledge. And, of course, I’ve always enjoyed André in the role of intriguer, so watching him scheme and manipulate entertained me immensely!
Conversely, I also found this André softer and more sympathetic. Zoomed in on a shorter (and particularly intense) time period, we’re free to linger and examine his emotions more closely. If I was entertained by André’s callous theatricality before, I was at last in true sympathy here, in his hours of fervent hope and crushing despair.
Returning to the observations of an increased darkness here, it’s true that the book itself has more sinister undertones than its predecessor. It is just as intense and engrossing, but there is less comedy (however dark) and swashbuckling adventure to alleviate its more cynical points. Much as I love the first (it’s among my top five favorite novels), the change doesn’t bother me. It offers a new kind of adventure, while also reflecting the changes in our protagonist.
Whether he’s laughing at the follies of humanity or studying its more sordid aspects, Sabatini can spin a yarn like few others, and I was utterly enthralled throughout. Adding a new intensity to the elements I already loved in the first novel (as well as some new favorite characters), The King-Maker is an instant favorite that I look forward to revisiting often in coming years.
Some reviews (and the narrator himself) have said that the André of this book is a bitter, colder version than we saw previously. I’m not sure I agree. In my mind, André-Louis has always served his own purposes, often regardless of the effect on others, unless he bears them particular affection. Ever Scaramouche, if you will.
It is true, however, that in The King-Maker, André is at last honest about his selfish pursuits. After sacrificing his political career and growing disillusioned with the course of the revolution which he himself once championed, he now serves the French Regent with the one aim of being able to marry Aline after the conflict’s end. He isn’t spurred by any idealistic convictions now, and never having truly believed he was before, I find this honesty about his motivations an interesting turn, as it signals André’s disillusionment, as well as a greater self-knowledge. And, of course, I’ve always enjoyed André in the role of intriguer, so watching him scheme and manipulate entertained me immensely!
Conversely, I also found this André softer and more sympathetic. Zoomed in on a shorter (and particularly intense) time period, we’re free to linger and examine his emotions more closely. If I was entertained by André’s callous theatricality before, I was at last in true sympathy here, in his hours of fervent hope and crushing despair.
Returning to the observations of an increased darkness here, it’s true that the book itself has more sinister undertones than its predecessor. It is just as intense and engrossing, but there is less comedy (however dark) and swashbuckling adventure to alleviate its more cynical points. Much as I love the first (it’s among my top five favorite novels), the change doesn’t bother me. It offers a new kind of adventure, while also reflecting the changes in our protagonist.
Whether he’s laughing at the follies of humanity or studying its more sordid aspects, Sabatini can spin a yarn like few others, and I was utterly enthralled throughout. Adding a new intensity to the elements I already loved in the first novel (as well as some new favorite characters), The King-Maker is an instant favorite that I look forward to revisiting often in coming years.
December 5, 2017
3.5, really. Still a good read, if not the swashbuckling delight that the 1st book was. Shame it feels so timely, as I’m sure all French Revolution books probably feel these days...
August 21, 2022
Some have criticised this book as being completely different from the first. It’s true. But I still really enjoyed the political intrigue in this book. Very clever.
May 15, 2020
Scaramouche The King ... (originally published in 1931)
3.5 stars
a historical fiction?...more likely, history with fiction
"... for anarchy is of necessity self-destructive."
The background of this book are the tumultuous years of anarchy that followed the French Revolution and set the grounds for the rising of Napoleon Bonaparte and grab of power in the year 1799 thus marking the end of the revolution.
This book is a sequel of Scaramouche # 1 (originally published in 1921) and chronicles another adventure of the French Revolution without the romance and myth of the first book. Just betrayal, greed, the exercise of power, and the basest of human traits on display. In other words, it is realistic and a more complex and modern novel.
Interesting new characters join in on the continuing eventful life of André-Louis Moreau and his family, including many cameos from historical figures of the French Revolution and which you get to learn much about while immersed in the thick plot line.
Great read.
3.5 stars
a historical fiction?...more likely, history with fiction
"... for anarchy is of necessity self-destructive."
The background of this book are the tumultuous years of anarchy that followed the French Revolution and set the grounds for the rising of Napoleon Bonaparte and grab of power in the year 1799 thus marking the end of the revolution.
This book is a sequel of Scaramouche # 1 (originally published in 1921) and chronicles another adventure of the French Revolution without the romance and myth of the first book. Just betrayal, greed, the exercise of power, and the basest of human traits on display. In other words, it is realistic and a more complex and modern novel.
Interesting new characters join in on the continuing eventful life of André-Louis Moreau and his family, including many cameos from historical figures of the French Revolution and which you get to learn much about while immersed in the thick plot line.
Great read.
July 29, 2011
Книга, которую отечественные издатели наградили названием "Скарамуш Возвращается" (была бы третья часть, назвали бы, наверное, "Скарамуш Навсегда") хронологически следует сразу за "Скарамушем", встречая наших наших героев на пути в Кобленц, где расположились остатки французского двора во главе с братьями низложенного короля Людовика - графом Прованским и графом д’Артуа. Граф Прованский кладёт глаз на мадемуазель Алину де Керкадью, а потому всячески противится намерению Андре-Луи Моро на ней жениться - в конечном итоге стороны договариваются, что Моро предпримет все усилия по дестабилизации политической обстановки во Франции, направленные в конечном итоге на реставрацию династии Бурбонов и тогда ему будет дозволено жениться на его даме сердца. Моро вместе со своим новым товарищем - гасконским бароном де Бацем отправляются в Париж, чтобы плести в нём паутину роялистского заговора.
Удивительно, но факт - вторая книга впечатлила меня едва ли не больше, чем первая, потому что это полноценния история масштабного троллинга. Я понимаю, что художественное произведение носит вымышленный характер, но уж больно хорошо автор выстраивает историю того, что произошло после революции - как дитя Свободы, Равенства и Братства стало пожирать самого себя, как при помощи алчности и острого слова можно добиться большего там, где не помогают пушки наёмников. Для меня эта книга представляет собой ценность тем, что прекрасно иллюстрирует собой: ЧТО может произойти, если, не дай Аллах, к власти придут какие-нибудь Яшины, Гозманы, Миловы и прочие Касьяновы - эти прекрасные одухотворенные личности сначала увлекутся процессом люстраций представителей ненавистного им режима, а затем грызть друг другу, с упоением и без какой-либо практической пользы простому народу. Будучи человеком наблюдательным, Моро прекрасно понимал, куда и как надо бить, чтобы последовательно подвести к гильтине всех, вплоть до Робеспьера, и только недобросовестность его, так скажем, нанимателя, помешала довести его план до логического завершения.
Всецело рекомендую.
Удивительно, но факт - вторая книга впечатлила меня едва ли не больше, чем первая, потому что это полноценния история масштабного троллинга. Я понимаю, что художественное произведение носит вымышленный характер, но уж больно хорошо автор выстраивает историю того, что произошло после революции - как дитя Свободы, Равенства и Братства стало пожирать самого себя, как при помощи алчности и острого слова можно добиться большего там, где не помогают пушки наёмников. Для меня эта книга представляет собой ценность тем, что прекрасно иллюстрирует собой: ЧТО может произойти, если, не дай Аллах, к власти придут какие-нибудь Яшины, Гозманы, Миловы и прочие Касьяновы - эти прекрасные одухотворенные личности сначала увлекутся процессом люстраций представителей ненавистного им режима, а затем грызть друг другу, с упоением и без какой-либо практической пользы простому народу. Будучи человеком наблюдательным, Моро прекрасно понимал, куда и как надо бить, чтобы последовательно подвести к гильтине всех, вплоть до Робеспьера, и только недобросовестность его, так скажем, нанимателя, помешала довести его план до логического завершения.
Всецело рекомендую.
May 4, 2013
Better than I thought it would be.
Certainly not the adventurous story the first one was and even less action in it but the excitement comes from the same place as all Sabatini novels the plot twists. Interesting new characters join in on the continuing eventful life of André-Louis and his family, including many cameos from historical figures from the French Revolution, which you get to learn much about while immersed in the thick plot line.
Certainly not the adventurous story the first one was and even less action in it but the excitement comes from the same place as all Sabatini novels the plot twists. Interesting new characters join in on the continuing eventful life of André-Louis and his family, including many cameos from historical figures from the French Revolution, which you get to learn much about while immersed in the thick plot line.
July 3, 2019
I listened to this book on Librivox. Gord Mackensie was a phenomenal narrator!
This is a wonderful story full of daring do and just enough romance to keep the story light. Rafael Sabatini manages to put many facts and history into the story as well. I highly recommend this story for long car trips and vacations.
This is a wonderful story full of daring do and just enough romance to keep the story light. Rafael Sabatini manages to put many facts and history into the story as well. I highly recommend this story for long car trips and vacations.
July 15, 2021
André Louis returns, once more a royalist. Yet again, he encounters adventure after adventure in the heart of revolutionary Paris with his daring associate, the Baron de Batz. This exhilarating, action-packed novel combines history, romance and fiction!
I really recommend this, but Scaramouche is even better!
I really recommend this, but Scaramouche is even better!
May 4, 2010
Not as good as the first book (titled simply Scaramouche) because it got bogged down in a ton of detail about their plotting. Especially when the plotting ends up in the fire, I wonder why spend so much effort on it.
November 10, 2015
It's an interesting look on the pride that omes with power, pride, haughtiness and vanity which can cloack he who has now nothing, and deceive him into hoping that may shall judge.
February 7, 2015
Not as entertaining as "Scaramouche", being focused more on politics.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews