serendipitysbooks 's review for:

The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas

4.0

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Really suspenseful novel centred around Cornelius who is trying to be the first to grow the elusive black tulip, his spiteful neighbour Isaac who will go to any lengths to stop him and claim prize and glory for himself, and Rosa the jailer's daughter. The first chapters centred on Dutch political intrigue and wrongful imprisonment and executions which I found slow going. But once I got into the plot proper I found it hard to stop reading. Especially approaching the climax when so many issues would be resolved but it appeared things could go either way. Would Cornelius ever be freed from prison so he and Rosa could find their happy ever after? Would the villain Isaac succeed in claiming the black tulip was his? Definitely a worthwhile read and an easier and shorter introduction to Dumas than his better known works such as The Count of Monte Christo.