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The Black Tulip Audiobook
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(3.00) - 4,674 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Alexandre Dumas’s novels are notable for their suspense and excitement, their foul deeds, hairsbreadth escapes, and glorious victories. In The Black Tulip, the real hero is no musketeer, but a flower.
The novel, a deceptively simple story, is set in Holland in 1672 during the amazing tulipmania of the seventeenth century that brought wealth to some and ruin to many. The story weaves the historical events surrounding the brutal murder of John de Witte and his brother Cornelius into a tale of romantic love. The novel is also a timeless political allegory in which Dumas, drawing on the violence and crimes of history, makes his case against tyranny and puts all his energies into creating a symbol of justice and tolerance: the fateful tulipa negra.
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"This was deliciously over the top - the good guys were kind and pure and the bad guys might as well be twirling their moustaches. You know a happy ending is coming, but there's a few twists on the way. The events at the beginning - based on true story - are quite horrifying, though afterwards it's a quick paced, entertaining read."
— Patricia (4 out of 5 stars)
The Black Tulip Listener Reviews
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" Bleagh. Worst Dumans I've ever read. "
— Redsteve, 1/30/2014 -
" I've been meaning to read this since last July and I finally got around to it. I liked it, I certainly didn't think it was as epic as Monte Cristo or the 3 Musketeers BUT it still was a good story. It seemed more like a short story. I think that Rosa was my favorite character. She was very much the modern woman who when her man is locked up just does it herself, very admirable. I can't say that I loved Cornelius. His love of the tulip was borderline pathological and it just seemed like he wasn't very manly. I don't know. I just wish that somehow in the end, that he had to actually choose Rosa over the Tulip and I probably would have been more sympathetic to his plight. And, as evil characters go, Boxton is not very threatening! All in all, a quick and interesting read! "
— Amber, 1/26/2014 -
" Great story, it reminded me very much of the Count of Monte Cristo. However...A wrongfully persecuted man sent to prison chooses the path of love instead of revenge...The book showed you the extremes of humanity such as kindness and utter evil. "
— Carlos, 1/12/2014 -
" I used to love Dumas' books "
— baran, 1/10/2014 -
" Wonderful book, I wish it would be made into a movie like they did with the Three Musketeers. I love reading Alexander Dumas. "
— Cherie, 1/8/2014 -
" Enjoyable story in true form for Dumas. Although not as grand as Le Comte du Monte Cristo, still a great historical novel. "
— Misty, 12/10/2013 -
" This is a very quick read, as far as Dumas novels go. True to his style, the characters are well developed and sympathetic, and the story draws you in. If you love Dumas, you'll enjoy The Black Tulip. "
— Heidi, 12/8/2013 -
" Rather slow in the beginning, but wonderfully dramatic in the middle! "
— Kailey, 10/26/2013 -
" Predictable, but still good. Back when it was written it probably wasn't predictable. A few hundred years will do that. "
— Christy, 9/13/2013 -
" Alexandre Dumas remains one of my favorites. I laughed out loud multiple times and was most definitely taken on the journey that lends itself to all good books. "
— Jeff, 9/1/2013 -
" I read this for my ward book group. It's not nearly as good as the count of monte cristo, but its an easier read. Good characters a little love and some history. "
— Tiffany, 7/26/2013 -
" Oh, books about tulipomania. I just cain't quitcha. "
— Eli, 6/22/2013 -
" I thought this book was cute. I don't know. Maybe I just thought that because it was short...? Deepish. Grippingish. Anyway, good plot, well written, cute couples and villains and kinda-villains. And now I know more about growing tulips. "
— Lily, 4/23/2013 -
" I couldn't finish this one. "
— Rachel, 3/20/2013 -
" Nice love story with a bit of heroism and gallantry. "
— Joe, 1/19/2013 -
" those who have suffered much, have a right to be happy "
— Rasha, 7/28/2012 -
" I read this book when I was 10 years old. It is strange that I know that I like this book but I can't recall most of the story. So I was in a dilemma to mark this as read or to-read. "
— Anuradha, 2/2/2012 -
" Awww MAN! Now I want to grow some tulips. "
— Laura, 6/20/2011 -
" Very interesting back story and setting, but except for William of Orange, characters flat. Decent yarn; most notable for its examination of political and moral ambiguities. "
— Cindy, 5/30/2011 -
" Take the Count Saint-Hermine, from Dumas's novel about the same, give him an obsession and make him somewhat interesting, then toss in Constance from the Three Musketeers as well as some Dutch political intrigue, and you have The Black Tulip. All in all, classic Dumas and a fast and good read. "
— Stefanie, 5/30/2011 -
" I guess this book is not a children's book, since it is extremely violent and scary. But I have read it as a child and again as an adult, both times found it troubling... but beautiful. Very recomended - but keep an eye on the kids just in case.. They might have questions. "
— Guy, 5/8/2011 -
" I listened to this book via MP3 while commuting to work. "
— Fred, 4/17/2011 -
" a real snooze-fest compared to the illustrious and every gripping and suspenseful "count of monte cristo." I just listened to it on walks and while there were a couple gripping passages about the passion of tulips, the rest was rather trite. "
— Julie, 4/8/2011 -
" Forgot the magic of Dumas. A great adventure story....around a flower! "
— Bill, 3/30/2011 -
" The beginning of this book is an extremely violent political murder in Holland. However, that only provides the backdrop for the main theme, which is a love story. It was a very enjoyable read. "
— Krisette, 3/5/2011 -
" Ever heard of the Dutch Tulip Craze? This book was fascinating! "
— Sara, 2/20/2011 -
" Those who have suffered much, have a right to be happy. "
— Maya, 2/13/2011 -
" A gruesome start to an otherwise good adventure + love story. A quick read. "
— Kirsten, 1/30/2011
About Alexandre Dumas
Alexandre Dumas (1802–1870), French novelist and playwright, was one of the most famous and prolific French writers of the nineteenth century, producing some 250 books. He is best known for his historical novels The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, and he was among the first authors to fully exploit the possibilities of the serial novel. He is credited with revitalizing the historical novel in France. His riveting, fast-paced adventure tales that blend history and fiction have been adapted into nearly 200 films. His last unfinished last novel, The Last Cavalier, lost to historians for 125 years, was completed in 2005 and quickly became a best seller.
About Rosalyn Landor
Rosalyn Landor is an English-born television, theater, and multiple-award-winning audiobook narrator. Her television credits include Love in a Cold Climate, Rumpole of the Bailey, Sherlock Holmes, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. She has won numerous Audie awards and AudioFile magazine Earphones awards.