Rating: 
Summary: Extremely Satisfying and Thought Provoking
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Very, Very, Good Read
Review: I read this and was unable to put it down. Read it when it's rainy outside. I love Daphne D'Maurier's writing style. She describes things perfectly, but doesn't spend forever talking about them. If you like Mysteries or books with twists of humourous irony you'll love this. An Englishman is forced to switch places with his Frenchman look-alike, and inherits family problems, debts, and the mystery begins. A must read.
Rating:
Summary: Beware
Review: I went against a promise to myself not to get caught up in another novel while I'm so busy. I picked up the book in the afternoon and didn't put it down until I reached the end that evening.
Rating:
Summary: Du Maurier has gift for breathing life into hackneyed themes
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: High Level Mystery
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: a slow yet totally absorbing read...
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: a slow yet totally absorbing read...
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A tantalizing read
Review: The Scapegoat is one of Du Maurier's finest works. Du Maurier has a way of developing her characters with the most thoughful insight. I could not put the book down until I had read it all!
Rating:
Summary: I Was Surprised I Liked It!
Review: The storyline with this one didn't sound too plausible to me, but a friend encouraged me to read it, and I was surprised to find that I actually liked it. Somehow Ms. Du Maurier pulls it off, and with such style!
Rating: 
Summary: I'd probably like it better after a second reading
Review: This was a well-written book but it lacked the fantastic eeriness of some of Daphne du Maurier's other works (Rebecca, The House on the Strand, The Flight of the Falcon). The concept was really good - two guys changing places. But this isn't a Prince and the Pauper change with mutual agreement. John is forced into it. For this reason this book is very interesting. Not one person notices the change except for one. I can't really say much about this book because it's been a while since I've read it and it didn't make the same impression on me as some of her other stuff. But it was good and as long as you are n't expecting something spooky to happen, you'll have a great time reading it.
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