Customer Reviews

Scapegoat

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The theme of the living double or strange twin is not uncommon in literature. In Fyodor Dostoyevsky's, The Double, (1846) Mr. Golyadkin believes he sees himself on a train, haunted by this manifestation, he becomes obsessed with meeting himself, chasing this figure endlessly through the streets of St Petersburg. Many have commented that this nightmarish story is ultimately about the fear of confronting one's darker nature, the terrible "other", and if viewed in totality, could well lead to death.

In The Scapegoat, du Maurier explores a similar theme, where the protagonist, John, a very English and staid history lecturer of French culture, one evening meets his exact double in the train station at Le Mans. John is bored, searching for some connection to life, a meaning to his empty existence. Jean de Gue, however, has a full life, a member of an aristocratic family, a wife, child and a century's old business and the many problems that come with so many connections and responsibilities. He's not happy with this life and wants only to escape. Both men have dinner, drink too much, and John wakes up the next morning to find his cloths and belongings vanished, and Gaston, the driver and head servant, ready to drive him (John) back to the Chateau, St Giles. John decides to play the role of Jean de Gue's scapegoat, though in a few days, finds himself inextricably involved, emotionally and otherwise, in de Gue's affairs and family.

Du Maurier is an excellent writer. John's journey into the world of his double is strangely intriguing, as he narrates his deceptions and observations, and how easily he falls into the role. No one in the family suspects his masquerade, though he comes very close to revealing himself many times. The repressed emotions and history of du Gue's family runs deep and hold numerous dark secrets. I found myself rushing through the tale to discover these secrets and what John will do next. The plot sounds outlandish on the surface, but this is psychological realism at its best, causing this reader at least, to become obsessed with how the story finally resolves itself - and it is not disappointing.

These characters certainly come from another time and another place. Jean de Gue's daughter, Marie-Noel, is a deeply religious child who experiences visions and loves her father beyond words. My thought was that if any of the family would see through John's deceptions, it would be the child. This young child, through her innocence, is the only voice of truth in the house, and her antics and precocious dialogue speaks of another time - a truly unique and memorable character.

This is a masterful piece of literature, a unique thriller that will be just as fascinating and entertaining for readers a hundred years from now.

How anyone can say that "The Scapegoat" is slow leaves me dumbfounded. The week in the life of British historian and lecturer, John, posing as Jean, the impoverished Comte of the chateau de Gue is a journey of the mythic hero, going off into unknown territory and accomplishing a mission where he is thereby transformed. Before the switch, John feels like a voyeur, reading and studying people from a distance rather than actually living in the midst of them. Once he is immersed in Jean's life, he cannot help but feel---as the comte, every decision he makes, effects numerous lives. Like other Du Maurier male characters, John finds as a male he holds the power; the woman flutter about him, allowing and acquiesing to his indisputed control. John believes he becomes a newer,better version of Jean as he interacts with Jean's mother, sister, wife, brother and wife; what he doesn't realize is that in enacting this transformation he can never go back to the life he once knew;his newfound strength sacrifices the 'scapegoat' of the title; with this death, the chateau and its remaining personel are revitalized with a new life.

Du Maurier's undertaking of having John speak in a first person narrative succeeds on every level. The reader experiences all the surprises and revelations through John's eyes and tender heart. Her portrayal of Marie-Noel, Jean's eleven year old daughter, borders on genius; the character springs off the pages, a concatenation of cartwheeling free spirit and religious waif, confused by the seemingly nonsensical activities of the adults around her.

Du Maurier masterfully illustrates the old adage 'there are two sides to every story' throughout the novel as well-meaning John's actions loose something as they are translated by the other dwellers in the Chateau and by Jean himself. Throughout the book, I wondered if Du Maurier, like Jean was playing an elaborate joke on the reader as well---could Jean and John be the same person? On a whim, Jean pretending to be a stranger, conveniently forgets the past and initiates changes that he otherwise could not consciously facilitate? Interesting.

Obviously, the novel is highly recommended to all.

I thought I had read everything that Daphne Du Maurier wrote until I discovered The Scapegoat in a Seattle bookstore. Now it ranks with House on the Strand as my favorite among her works. It's been a while since I enjoyed a book so much that I'd rather not sleep or go to work so I could finish it! The ending really threw me, but I had to admit that no other ending would have made sense. It's just that Du Maurier had completely drawn me into caring about these people and hoping that everything would turn out for the best. I guess I'm just a sentimentalist, like the protagonist. Enjoy this one!

Daphne du Maurier is one of the great unappreciated writers of the 20th century, and I was pleased to find this opinion validated in "The Wall Street Journal" this past weekend. Her insights into human nature make her a writer of the first order; and her ability to build suspense and atmosphere with her deft characterizations and descriptions are superb.

It's hard for me to decide which Du Maurier book is my favorite -- of course I read and re-read "Rebecca" many times, and was fascinated by "My Cousin Rachel" -- but I think "The Scapegoat" may actually be my favorite. Something about the narrator, John, really connects with the longing to belong and care about something or someone that lives in all of us. I found myself turning the pages compulsively, marvelling at how credible she made this incredible story seem. If you haven't read du Maurier before, treat yourself to this little gem or any of them. You will enrich your world, no doubt about it.

This book is the best I've ever read describing an exchange of roles. If a person were ever to meet their double and change places with them, this is what it would feel like. This book makes it all so real, you would feel like it had happened to you. The writing is superb. Everything is described in minute detail, yet it only adds to the suspense. The author takes common experiences and feelings and describes them perfectly, giving the reader a feeling of having been in that position before. The characters are believable and well-developed. This book draws you into the action. You won't want to put it down once you've begun.

This is my second book of Du Maurier. I was intrigued by the-Prince-Pauper thingy but with more weight on the issue that caused the charade. Although I can't say I like the ending but I feel it is the true way to end this story. Not a simple type of ending where everybody get all they wanted, the good characters win over the bad. It belongs to the whole story, adding the irony. Each character was in grey zone, no one was all white or black.

The issue of family and people relationship played the circumstances over the exchange of John and Jean, the 2 look-alike person but with very different background. John, the loner, had no family ties, as the narrator. While Jean, a father, lives with a sick mother, a silent sister and a troubled family of his brother to deal with. While John felt himself as a spectator of life, Jean complained about his demanding family. Was it only the family's fault or Jean's himself who caused the oppressive situation?

All things were started from inside oneself. It is like throwing a stone into a pool effect. What you think, which will come out as words / action will affect all the people around you. What you think a good decision does not always give the same impression to other people because each person has her/his own perception, unique way of viewing a problem.

You would just feel as conceited as the characters you were reading. A thoughtful story.

I loved this book. The characters were fascinating and full of intricacies -- you loved them, you hated them, you were surprised by them. The pace, while I thought it was a little slow at first, became absolutely compelling. The daughter, seemingly so old for her years, was touching. My only wish would have been to know what de Gue actually did in London while John took his place instead of finding out at the end. Highly recommend reading it and her other works...Rebecca in particular.

The Scapegoat is certainly a very curious novel. Its premise (two physically identical strangers met and change roles) is in no way believable. And Du Maurier's writing style can be described as elegent yet a bit dull. However for some inexplicable reason The Scapegoat is a memorable read; I found myself completely taken in by the story despite its silly premise.

To understand why, I think the answer lies beneath the surface of the story. After the two physically identical men switch roles, Du Maurier focuses attention on the lonely, nice professor who is suddenly forced into the role of a French landowner, businessman and ... cruel monster. It's fascinating how he pulls off not only the role reversal but digs into the twisted hearts of the people (spouse, family and friend) around him. I found the emotional, humane side of the story to be most compelling.

Bottom line: a ridiculous story made fascinating and memorable by the ever talented Ms. Du Maurier. However I fear the author's style in slowly building the story might turn people away before they reach page 50.

The author's style can be deceptively simple, yet the book stayed with me long after I finished it. The story is presented with just the right blend of coincidence and will to make it believable, and the premise is wild but hugely enthralling. The ending works from a realistic perspective, fortunately, and makes the tale resonate all the more. Highly recommended.

One thing I admire about Du Maurier is her ability to take well-worn plot ideas and give them a fascinating new twist -- for example, time travel in House on the Strand. In Scapegoat, a story of switched identities, we step into the world of a postwar French aristocrat not just as readers but as the despairing English scholar who takes on the man's freedoms as well as his responsibilities. A very satisfying read.