The Black Tulip (Penguin Classics)
by Alexandre Dumas
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 334)
Read in February, 2008
The story of developing a perfectly black tulip is set against the backdrop of William the Orange's ascent to position of Stadtholder (spelling?) of Holland. I have pretty much all good things to say of it. The one bit I found a little strange was that William the Orange grows from crafting the murder of two innocent men, to feeling remorse at the imprisonment of a third. Need to study history on that one! From other books peripherally related to William the Orange (Lorna Doone, Micah Cla...more
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Read in July, 2007
I am finally taking the time to read The Black Tulip--my mother in law's favorite book--and surprisingly I'm enjoying it much more than I ever imagined I would! She's loaned me her childhood hardcover copy, which always make me feel like I can savor it all the more and cherish each thick, yellowed page.
Plus the story is set in Holland and centers around the trials and loves of a young tulip-fancier, so I'm hooked just on setting alone....
Plus the story is set in Holland and centers around the trials and loves of a young tulip-fancier, so I'm hooked just on setting alone....
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Read in March, 2008
I wasn't terribly impressed with this tale. The first few chapters were rough for me, having to read all of the historical footnotes just to figure out the setting and premise of the book. I guess it was a nice, "sweet" little love story. I felt that there wasn't enough substance to the plot or the characters. I also expected a few twists and turns, but was disappointed by the predictability of it all.
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I'm sorry that I don't understand the great Tulip fever that raged across Europe in this age. (My husband compared the Tulip industry of this age to the internet rage of the late 90's??) Besides that, I got a little tired of the botanical love triangle between Cornelius, Rosa and the star of the show - the black tulip. I definitely liked The Count of Monte Christo better, both in writing style and story.
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A suberbly well-crafted "romantic" (in the artistic sense) story, incredibly suspenseful. Great plot, twist and turns, love triangle, good vs. evil, social commentary, lessons on horticulture -- this book has it all. Reminded me of the great classic Hitchock films. Would make a good movie, even if some of the histrionic pinings and lovesick self-tortur by the hero are a little overboard and corny.
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Read in March, 2008
I'm reading a simplified version which has been translated into Chinese. It has the English on the left hand page, and the Chinese on the right. I can't understand all of it, but I can understand enough that I happily skip over the characters I don't know and then just check the English opposite. There are often whole (easy) sentences that I can translate precisely, which is fun.
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Read in July, 2006
I love the way that Alexandre Dumas weaves together so manny plot elements in this book. All his books are amazing! He keeps you guessing but gives you clues as to where things will end up. I really like historical fiction like this too since I feel like I get just a little glimpse of what life may have been like for the French at this time in history.
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Read in May, 2008
The first several chapters took a long time to get through for various reasons. There is a lot of history and some gore. After that, it is a nice mystery romance set in the 1600's. I enjoyed the book.
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Read in April, 2008
I liked the story, thought the characters a little flat, but would recommend as a place to start with Dumas if his longer books intimidate at all!
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Picked up a very pleasing tiny hardback edition in a secondhand shop that very much added to the pleasure of reading this book
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Read in March, 2008
Predictable, but still good. Back when it was written it probably wasn't predictable. A few hundred years will do that.
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This is was the 1st work of fiction I read as a young adult. It will always have a special place in my heart.
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Fun, short Dumas piece concerning an unfaily imprisoned man's attempt to cultivate the elusive black tulip.
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Read in February, 2008
I attempted to explore the lesser-known work of a favorite author. Not as thrilling as Monte Cristo!
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
black tulip
i learned that : sometimes silence tells every thing.
thats verry goood book.
thats verry goood book.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in December, 2007
The characters are so wonderfully refreshing. This was such an enjoyable read!
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Read in January, 1983
Me facino la trama donde esta maravillosa planta es la protagonista.
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Read in February, 1963
Mi primer libro en ingles , cual traduci y recibi alta nota!!
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Read in January, 1993
I used to love Dumas' books
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