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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
Beautifully written, intriguing and a well-told tale
3.5
It has been a long time since I've read anything from Alexandre Dumas and so I was looking forward to this novel.
The Black Tulip takes place in Holland, not France, and is on a much smaller scale than expected. Dumas usually paints on a huge canvas but not this time. The first few chapters do deal with exploding events, but very soon, the narration zooms in on the burgeoning love between an obsessed tulip grower and a courageous and intelligent girl, and a mythical flower.
I loved the language, often over the top, extoling the obsession felt by so many characters over the Black Tulip, and the mocking tone of the narration. The couple is endearing but it is Rosa who shines through the whole story. Some plot choices towards the end felt jarring (to me) but apart from this I did enjoy this simple tale. It has whetted my appetite for more from Dumas.
It has been a long time since I've read anything from Alexandre Dumas and so I was looking forward to this novel.
The Black Tulip takes place in Holland, not France, and is on a much smaller scale than expected. Dumas usually paints on a huge canvas but not this time. The first few chapters do deal with exploding events, but very soon, the narration zooms in on the burgeoning love between an obsessed tulip grower and a courageous and intelligent girl, and a mythical flower.
I loved the language, often over the top, extoling the obsession felt by so many characters over the Black Tulip, and the mocking tone of the narration. The couple is endearing but it is Rosa who shines through the whole story. Some plot choices towards the end felt jarring (to me) but apart from this I did enjoy this simple tale. It has whetted my appetite for more from Dumas.
The black tulip is my first contact with Alexandre Dumas, father.
It has a simple and enjoyable read, which surprised me positively for the author is not too verbose and I always shy away from the classics exactly because of that.
The story is very simple and straight-forward. It’s the love story between a tulip grower and the daughter of his jailer, with a black tulip in the center of the plot. The romance it's not brilliant but it makes a very enjoyable read.
Overall I really liked it.
It has a simple and enjoyable read, which surprised me positively for the author is not too verbose and I always shy away from the classics exactly because of that.
The story is very simple and straight-forward. It’s the love story between a tulip grower and the daughter of his jailer, with a black tulip in the center of the plot. The romance it's not brilliant but it makes a very enjoyable read.
Overall I really liked it.
Look you just can’t go wrong with Dumas. This book definitely isn’t to the caliber of the D’artagnan series or Monte Christo but it is hard to imagine someone disliking this book. It is predominantly a romance but has a memorable plot with a compelling historical background. There also is a sense of fun stemming (pun intended) from the fact that the plot revolves around a flower. If you are interested in William of Orange, Tulip growing, are familiar with Dumas, or are just looking for a good story check this one out.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
the level of melodrama was off the charts in this one and honestly i loved every second of it
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
I don't know what reading this is like in the original French but I *know* Cornelius didn't call Gryphus a 'blockhead', I *know it*.
Once you get past chapter 4, this becomes a very light fun novel.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No