Le Scapegoat

by Daniel Amory

2026 Bestseller. "Brilliant!" "An instant classic." "The Critically-Acclaimed Small French Village Drama-Comedy." "Quick and Easy to Read." "Powerful Ending." "Gripping." "Suspenseful." "Emotionally-Charged." "Thought-Provoking." From award-winning and bestselling author Daniel Amory (NYT, A&E Television, The History Channel, "Cameron's Court," "The Lion in the Colosseum," "Hi Pretty Girl, Bye Pretty Girl," "(In)famous"), "Le Scapegoat," set in provincial France, tells the new magnificent and entertaining drama-comedy of Jean des Michels, and his family, as they struggle to survive during a long drought in the years leading up to the French Revolution. Forced to give up his dream of traveling throughout Europe and seeing the world, Jean takes over the family farm. As the years go by, Jean's dairy goat, Marion, provides milk and cheese to the small French village of Minna-Saint Chabot. However, Jean finds out that long hardships mounting from the drought have turned the villagers against Marion. With everyone blaming Marion for their life struggles in an increasingly charged atmosphere, Jean attempts to stand up for what is right and defend her from injustice. The story explores themes of perseverance, family, friendship, courage, self-sacrifice and dignity. "Timeless." "Feel-good." "Uplifting." "Deep Social Commentary." "Bravo."

As a journalist, Daniel Amory worked with The New York Times, A&E Television and The History Channel. A cornerstone of Historical Fiction in 2026, Le Scapegoat is one of his six novels.

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 8, 2025

About the author

Daniel Amory, an award-winning writer, was born in Chicago, Illinois. He made his first foray into writing as a Staff Writer for The Daily Cardinal while in college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Shortly thereafter, he began to work professionally as a journalist in connection with The New York Times Magazine, A&E Television and The History Channel, producing numerous documentaries seen worldwide. He is the Bestselling Author of Minor Snobs, Cameron's Court, The Lion in the Colosseum, Le Scapegoat, Hi Pretty Girl, Bye Pretty Girl and (IN)FAMOUS. Amazon. Kindle Unlimited. Waterstones.

YOU CAN REACH DANIEL AMORY AT:
lionthenovel1@gmail.com

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

A lovely insight into a village and a family and a family goat! Beautiful and descriptive. A warming journey. I enjoyed it!

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a historical fiction novel that I was very lucky to win in a goodreads giveaway! This is a very interesting read and is short quick read if you need something fast to read. It takes place in eighteenth century France before the revolution and follows the misadventures of a young man named Jean. He and his family go through many hardships and they seem to always come out strobg afterwards. Overall this was a very enjoyable story to read!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inspirational short novel I received in a giveaway as a new release. This is a story about Jean des Michels during a period of time in France before the French Revolution. It starts off with the village and we meet some of the villagers and then we are taken to the countryside where we meet Jean as a young boy working with his brother on his family's farm, which is set in a small, quaint French village. Their uncle, who fought in the seven years' war, is killed in a duel, but not before he tells the boys about all of the places around Europe he had traveled to with his regiment. Soon Jean starts to dream about going off through Europe and seeing the same places his uncle told him about.

After several misfortunes, Jean inherits the family farm and must stay in the small village and work. He meets Elise, a girl in the village that he becomes interested in, and they date and eventually marry. They have three children. All the while, Jean has a dairy goat named Marion (he had named her when he was a child) who provides milk and cheese to the village.

As the years pass, there is a drought and with the lack of rain, the village is hit hard and struggles economically. After a while, the villagers focus their anger and disappointment on Marion (the goat). Jean feels this is an injustice and tries to say that it is misguided blame. It all leads to a very powerful ending. You will laugh and cry - it is serious and funny simultaneously. You will root for Jean and Marion. And I like how the family is depicted - sweet, caring and great little descriptions of their playfulness and adventures. There are some really important lessons and themes - friendship and loyalty among them. After I finished the book, it felt like I read something very meaningful.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le Scapegoat was a book I received in a new book release giveaway. It is a powerful story and it is well-written and short and easy to read. I really enjoyed it. There are some heartbreaking moments and some stand up and cheer moments. I experienced a lot of emotions because it builds to a gripping end. The time period is interesting because it takes place right before the French Revolution and there is a feeling that change is coming - for instance, the world was changing - Europe was changing. New music was spreading throughout Europe and beginning to reach these villages. So, the little village wasn't so little anymore.

The scene is set in Minna-Saint Chabot (in provincial France not far from Bourdeaux) and then we follow Jean des Michels, who seems to have some of the world's worst luck in some ways (some economical and some personal life events), but in other ways he has a very happy life (with his wife, Elise, and their three daughters). I think the chapters where he pursues Elise, especially the scene in the barn when he pretends to have a cheese delivery in order just to see her, was well-crafted and entertaining.

Ultimately, there is a drought and economic hardship hits the village and everyone has personal struggles and they start to blame none other than Jean's long-time dairy goat, Marion. Jean feels that this is unfair and tries to defend her, but it feels like it is him against the world. Overall, it is an interesting concept, a fascinating story, and the ending is filled with suspense and drama up until the big climax with the village. Luckily, it is uplifting and you feel good and proud of Jean, especially in light of the increased tension from the village.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in a small French village, Le Scapegoat is a well-written, thought-provoking story that is moving and touching. I was just thinking the entire time "You better not let anything happen to Marion!" Marion is Jean des Michels' long-time, loyal goat. At first, Marion is kind of Jean's pet when he is younger. Then they become friends. And then when Jean meets (again, after several years) and marries Elise, a girl who lives on a nearby farm that he knew when they were children, Marion becomes Jean and Elise's goat. Then, later, Marion acts sort of like a nanny to Jean and Elise's three daughters (Isabelle, Colette and Sylvie). On a side note, I liked the portrayal of the inner-workings of the family - Jean and how he is always worried about how he is going to tell Elise and his daughters different things that have happened and the back-and-forth play-fighting and playing between Colette and Isabelle, "capering," as the author put it, in their "endless playground."

Later, there is a drought and the longer it lasts, the more people are angry and are looking to blame someone or something (clinical displacement of anger) and one thing leads to another and Marion is the one that is blamed. First, Marion is blamed for small things and then everything. Unjustly, of course. And Jean is put into a position to defend her, but can he do it? Will he do it? Near the end, in a showdown with Colette, the author says, "Jean realized that Colette was too young to understand the complexities of the world..." There are a number of themes covered in this book and so much symbolism. Recommended? Absolutely.

[Mia Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, but epic drama-comedy, a powerful saga spanning France's history, you are instantly drawn into the lives of Jean des Michels, his family and the rest of the village of Minna-Saint Chabot. There is charm and heartbreak throughout this wonderful story, which captures the essence of the economic turmoil of the period leading up to the French Revolution and the drama of what it's like being a part of a small, quiet village in provincial France.

The driving attitudes and emotional forces - joy, sadness, humor and the courage to stand up for what is right - all are present and makes the book very entertaining. The beauty of the story, for me, lies in the des Michels family dynamics and their friendship with Marion, their dairy goat. Specifically, Jean and Marion. They work together (Marion pulls the milk and cheese cart for the daily deliveries) and respect one another for each other's pure, raw determination (human and nature). Jean feeds her. He watches her in the field and observes the social hierarchy of the animals (Marion is greatly respected by the other animals). Jean talks to her about life. All the while, Marion provides the village with milk and cheese.

And then when trouble hits and life doesn't go exactly as planned (the village blames Marion for all of their struggles in the face of a prolonged period of lack of rainfall) - the questions surrounding friendship, loyalty and overcoming adversity are touched upon. The book's positive message ends with a climactic scene involving the entire village. This book was provided from a giveaway.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I got this book free as a giveaway and I really liked it. It was just what I needed this week. It tells the story of the des Michels family and it takes place in a small village in France during provincial times prior to the French Revolution. Jean seems to have some bad luck, and that increases when there is a prolonged drought. This is when the villagers turn on Jean's devoted goat, Marion (she becomes known as "the scapegoat"), and they blame her for their problems. Jean attempts to protect Marion in the face of clear injustice.

But things kind of get out of hand - and Jean's children are devasted when they hear about the villagers' plans to banish Marion from the village. The story is humorous, charming, sad and happy. It also contains important lessons like honor, pride and friendship. I love the family chapters and the mischievous things the children are always up to. And Jean and Elise's love for them. I think Colette is my favorite character. She has so much spunk. But Isabelle surprised me with her courage. Short and well-written.

[Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating story that is funny and touching. It is a heartwarming tale of friendship, which leaves a lasting impression. The story revolves around the des Michels family, who forms an unbreakable (so we think) bond with a devoted goat, Marion, on their farm. Their care for Marion, and vice versa, is portrayed well, showcasing the power of friendship through tough times leading to an emotionally resonant ending. Le Scapegoat touches upon loyalty and the importance of standing up for what you believe in. Its message is timeless. I received it in a giveaway.

[Daniel Amory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for taking the trip to the purple fields of lavender and provincial France to spend some time with Jean, Elise, Isabelle, Colette, Sylvie and Marion and everyone else. I hope you enjoyed their adventure and their story. And thank you for all of your amazing comments. I am glad the story touched so many of you in such a meaningful way. It means so much to me that you enjoyed it. Thanks again.

-DA

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The finish was strong. It was an enjoyable and very quick read. I liked that the novella felt like a more robust folk story or myth. I had some qualms with aspects of the style. At times it felt didactic. For example, the French words should have been left as is, or the translations used, but employing the French and the English definition took me out of the story.

[Alan Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giveaway

I received a complementary copy via Goodreads Giveaways. Daily life in a French village but after bad luck it was decided to send away an aged goat carrying all the troubles into the wilderness. In the end it was remembered that this scapegoat was part of the family. She had nurtured the village through the years.

[Alyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprised by this little novella. Reads kind of like a parable because it's pretty stripped down, and kind of "floats" from scene to scene. Probably the best way to take it in is to read it one sitting, which is very doable, or as few sessions as possible. It's sort of plot-driven but reads a bit more like a reflection, or even a warning lol.

[Alyssa Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a critical look at it, I think it was excellent. From an entertainment standpoint, it was just as good. A heart-warming look at a small provincial French town - I was hooked right away. And the ending is heartfelt.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting for Le Scapegoat is France in pre-revolutionary times. The themes explored throughout the story are social class, disillusionment, social justice, perseverance, death, love, loss and wealth vs. morality. I loved it.

[Lizzie Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting. Excellent.

[Robyn Mendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thought-provoking book. I never thought that I would care for the fate of a goat so much like I did here. Beautifully written and touching.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story. Easy to read.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple story about gentle people and how easily they can forget about years of faithful service, and how quickly they will lay blame on anyone other than themselves when times turn hard.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good short novel I won in a giveaway. I enjoyed the descriptiveness of the author as it made the book enjoyable and easy to picture exactly where it was taking place.