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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've been thinking of this book as 'Dumas thinks the Dutch are Weird About Tulips' and also 'two idiots fall in love in a prison.' And to be fair part of that's on the writing style of the time, and also it was quite fun. No complaints, great roadtrip audiobook, the more scenic the drive the better.
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Dumas' writing holds a special place in my heart. I first struggled to read the Three Musketeers, but by the end, I was blown away with how much I enjoyed it, and read the sequel. The Count of Monte Cristo is my favourite book of all time, and I've since re-read The Three Musketeers and loved it even more.
So I was excited (but also hesitant) to read The Black Tulip. I didn't really enjoy his children's book Captain Pamphile which was about the same length, and the topic of this book - a tulip - didn't really excite me. But when I read it, it felt like a crash course in Dumas. His writing style, his humour, his love for drama, romance, heroism and loyalty, all consolidated into a small page count. I really enjoyed it.
My only flaw with the story was that - despite it being a metaphor for standing against tyranny - the politics in the background only played a minor role in most of the story. I wanted to see more of the Prince of Orange and explore his feelings about Cornelius Baerle as godson of the De Witte's. His change of heart all of a sudden and release of Baerle at the end of the book felt a bit disappointing.
Nevertheless, this story is still a great introduction for readers to Dumas who may be intimidated by the length of the Musketeers or Monte Cristo. However, the epic-ness of these books cannot be understated and if The Black Tulip's main focus didn't interest you, but the writing and themes did, then definitely give his bigger books a try!
So I was excited (but also hesitant) to read The Black Tulip. I didn't really enjoy his children's book Captain Pamphile which was about the same length, and the topic of this book - a tulip - didn't really excite me. But when I read it, it felt like a crash course in Dumas. His writing style, his humour, his love for drama, romance, heroism and loyalty, all consolidated into a small page count. I really enjoyed it.
My only flaw with the story was that - despite it being a metaphor for standing against tyranny - the politics in the background only played a minor role in most of the story. I wanted to see more of the Prince of Orange and explore his feelings about Cornelius Baerle as godson of the De Witte's.
Nevertheless, this story is still a great introduction for readers to Dumas who may be intimidated by the length of the Musketeers or Monte Cristo. However, the epic-ness of these books cannot be understated and if The Black Tulip's main focus didn't interest you, but the writing and themes did, then definitely give his bigger books a try!
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-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:
Complicated
Not a great book, but it was fun and entertaining.
I'm a Dumas fan, but this story wasn't that great, nor were the characters. They were kind of stupid, and it was hard to empathise when the topic was a flower, the love of which consumed the protagonist. I kept wondering if perhaps it was an allegory and I just wasn't getting it. Eventually Dumas made a decent mystery out of it, kind of.... I'm so glad this was a short book though.
A great easy introduction to Alexandre Dumas and I can’t wait to read more of his books.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An enjoyable little Dumas story. Excellent, approachable writing featuring an incarcerated man who shares the secret of how to acquire a vast fortune. If that sounds familiar, you're right. Believe me, I laughed out loud at this similarity to The Count of Monte Cristo. Like, is this set-up a Dumas calling card? A well-worn trope? Perhaps the latter, because it still works here. But that's where the similarity ends and The Black Tulip goes on to tell its own story about, well...a black tulip, and the man and woman who overcome the odds against them to grow it.
The plot is a little melodramatic, and that's what makes it fun. Theft! Mob justice! Horticulture! Romance! Contrived rescue plans carried out by messenger pigeon! Basically all the makings of a 17th-century soap opera, but well worth the read.
The plot is a little melodramatic, and that's what makes it fun. Theft! Mob justice! Horticulture! Romance! Contrived rescue plans carried out by messenger pigeon! Basically all the makings of a 17th-century soap opera, but well worth the read.
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes