The Scapegoat (book)

"The Scapegoat" is a novel by Daphne du Maurier that follows a chance encounter between two men, John and his doppelgänger, at a French hotel. After a night of drinking, John finds himself unwittingly taking on the life of his counterpart, who is wealthy but troubled. As John attempts to navigate this new identity, he becomes embroiled in the complexities of the other man's family and hidden conflicts. The story explores themes of duality, escape, and the burdens we inherit, making it a compelling psychological drama about the search for self and the consequences of assuming another's life.