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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Non avrei mai pensato di apprezzare tanto un libro dell'800 francese. Scorre, è avvincente... Bellissimo. Lo consiglio.
A good introduction to Dumas. I wanted to read Count of Monte Cristo but it was too long for our book club. At under 300 pages, this was a quick read. Entertaining, but predictable. He uses a lot of plot themes (false imprisonment, envy) as he does in the Count of Monte Cristo (based on having seen the movie).
A decent story decently told, but it dragged on pretty long for what I got out of it, and just doesn't compete with Dumas's more famous classics.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was an amazing book! I've always wanted to read Dumas but wasn't sure if I wanted to dive into a book as long as Count of Monte Cristo without knowing if I'd like his writing. But, this convinced me. The romance is great and for how old the book is, I was surprised it holds nothing gruesome or problematic; I love the prose, which is very neat and pretty; The cast is a loveable set of characters with their funny quirks; And, the plot is surprisingly tense.
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who asked. For such a short read with such a great story, I really am surprised its a classic that isn't as popular as Dumas's other works.
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who asked. For such a short read with such a great story, I really am surprised its a classic that isn't as popular as Dumas's other works.
The book is focused on Cornelius van Burle, Cornelius de Wit's godson, and his unjust imprisonment for corresponding with the damned de Wit's brothers. And also about the Dutch's love for tulips.
Revenge, envy, injustice, and love are the themes of the Black Tulip.
And what did I love the most? Rosa, the sweet jailer's daughter and the strongest character in the book. In a time when women were dismissed (even mentioned in the book) she stands her ground and Dumas made her the star.
All in all, an interesting book with a narrative not used anymore (Dumas is narrating the story to the reader), but a good story is always a joy to read.
Bravo, Dumas!
Revenge, envy, injustice, and love are the themes of the Black Tulip.
And what did I love the most? Rosa, the sweet jailer's daughter and the strongest character in the book. In a time when women were dismissed (even mentioned in the book) she stands her ground and Dumas made her the star.
All in all, an interesting book with a narrative not used anymore (Dumas is narrating the story to the reader), but a good story is always a joy to read.
Bravo, Dumas!
adventurous
hopeful
This would've been a lot better if I hadn’t already read The Count of Monte Cristo. The Black Tulip, in some sense, is a familiar story for Dumas readers: A young, promising man is betrayed by a jealous acquaintance and falsely imprisoned, and yet there is hope, since he has found a way to make his fortune while in prison.
The savagery of the first four chapters, depicting the true events at the Hague, 1672, in which the De Witt brothers were literally torn to pieces by a mob, was masterfully written in its brutality. I shuddered at the character's supremely terrible fate– that cry of anguish as he's murdered while watching his brother be murdered:
I think where this book suffers is that main character Cornelius lacks dynamism and fails to compel, at least compared to Dantès. I was actually almost convinced and not at all opposed to the idea that Dumas would follow through with his execution, (what a macabre touch it suggested, that his final view from his window is of his godfather and friend strung up on gibbets). I got pretty intrigued about what adventures Rosa might get into on her own, without Cornelius, with her mysterious inheritance of the black tulip bulbs. Alas, Cornelius is saved and thereafter, all he does is sob about his tulips, which after a while grew tiresome. The love story with Rosa consequently lacked luster, since it’s clear he really only loves his flowers.
The extravagantly happy ending and deux-ex-machina that allowed the purest of pure Cornelius happiness and revenge without even having to lift a finger felt a bit hollow. He and his story certainly pale in comparison to the striking figure of Dantès and his elaborate, engrossing revenge.
The savagery of the first four chapters, depicting the true events at the Hague, 1672, in which the De Witt brothers were literally torn to pieces by a mob, was masterfully written in its brutality. I shuddered at the character's supremely terrible fate– that cry of anguish as he's murdered while watching his brother be murdered:
"The fellow then turned his musket round, and, taking it by the barrel with both hands, struck John de Witt down with the butt-end. John staggered and fell down at his feet, but, raising himself with a last effort, he once more called out, —
"My brother!" with a voice so full of anguish that the young man opposite closed the shutter.”
I think where this book suffers is that main character Cornelius lacks dynamism and fails to compel, at least compared to Dantès. I was actually almost convinced and not at all opposed to the idea that Dumas would follow through with his execution, (what a macabre touch it suggested, that his final view from his window is of his godfather and friend strung up on gibbets). I got pretty intrigued about what adventures Rosa might get into on her own, without Cornelius, with her mysterious inheritance of the black tulip bulbs. Alas, Cornelius is saved and thereafter, all he does is sob about his tulips, which after a while grew tiresome. The love story with Rosa consequently lacked luster, since it’s clear he really only loves his flowers.
The extravagantly happy ending and deux-ex-machina that allowed the purest of pure Cornelius happiness and revenge without even having to lift a finger felt a bit hollow. He and his story certainly pale in comparison to the striking figure of Dantès and his elaborate, engrossing revenge.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Alexandre Dumas was a French novelist in the 19th century known for adventure novels like The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers. A lesser known work of his, published in 1850 is The Black Tulip (La Tulipe Noir) which is a shorter novel and generally classified as a historical fiction. The story is set in Holland circa 1672, with Tulip mania (Dutch: tulpenmaine) serving as the backdrop for a wonderful, adventurous and romantic tale. The writing is initially dense and difficult to navigate but it quickly blossoms into a captivating, fast paced narrative that leaves the reader on edge while being gentle and easy to follow along.
There are a handful of prominent characters around whom the story revolves. The race to grow a black tulip amidst an intense political plot line of a setting with the black tulip itself serving as a MacGuffin is brilliantly presented. The characters start to seem one dimensional towards the end and the romantic angle, while engaging, is sappy at places. There are historical inaccuracies but it doesn't get in the way of enjoyment. The truly remarkable aspect of this work is that it changes genre every 50 pages or so and it is simply fantastic to experience.
For readers who have always wanted to read a classic, which is well paced, short and easy to get into with all the required elements of drama, adventure, romance, elegance and beauty to make a compelling read, this is definitely the book to pick up!
There are a handful of prominent characters around whom the story revolves. The race to grow a black tulip amidst an intense political plot line of a setting with the black tulip itself serving as a MacGuffin is brilliantly presented. The characters start to seem one dimensional towards the end and the romantic angle, while engaging, is sappy at places. There are historical inaccuracies but it doesn't get in the way of enjoyment. The truly remarkable aspect of this work is that it changes genre every 50 pages or so and it is simply fantastic to experience.
For readers who have always wanted to read a classic, which is well paced, short and easy to get into with all the required elements of drama, adventure, romance, elegance and beauty to make a compelling read, this is definitely the book to pick up!