The Black Tulip

By: Alexandre Dumas

Narrated by: Gail Timmerman Vaughan

"The Black Tulip" is a historical novel written by Alexandre Dumas. The story begins with a historical event - the 1672 lynching of the Dutch Grand Pensionary (roughly equivalent to a modern Prime Minister) Johan de Witt and his brother Cornelis, by a wild mob of their own countrymen - considered by many as one of the most painful episodes in Dutch history, described by Dumas with a dramatic intensity. It then unfold around the city of Haarlem, Netherlands, that has set a prize of 100,000 guilders to the person who can grow a black tulip, sparking competition between the country's best gardeners to win the money, honor and fame.©2017 SAGA Egmont (P)2017 SAGA Egmont

Enjoyable enough classic

Although I don't think the story holds up to modern fiction, it is still a pleasant and enjoyable window to the past, as seen by the rose tinted and aristocratic lense of Alexandre Dumas.

I am biased but I loved the book

I am not usually one for a romance novel, but A. Dumas brings his critical eye to a story of injustice during the Dutch tulip craze. As is his style, he has strong male and female characters, His insight into the behaviour of a sociopathic neighbour who is obsessed with claiming the Black Tulip is incredible.