The black tulip
by Dumas, Alexandre
Project Gutenberg Release
Project Gutenberg ID
965
Reading Ease
Reading ease score: 76.0 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Rights: Public domain in the USA.
Summary
"The Black Tulip" by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century. The narrative unfolds in the backdrop of 17th-century Holland, revolving around the tumultuous political landscape characterized by the rivalry between the Orange party, led by Prince William of Orange, and the De Witts, two brothers who represent a more republican approach to governance. The story centers on the political machinations and brutalities faced by these characters, particularly Cornelius and John de Witt, as well as the fervor for a mythical black tulip that becomes symbolic within the plot. The opening of "The Black Tulip" introduces a charged atmosphere in The Hague, where the populace is roused against the De Witts and their supposed crimes against the new Stadtholder, William of Orange. As Cornelius de Witt faces brutal accusations of plotting William's assassination, tensions rise dramatically when the public gathers to witness his exile. At the same time, the narrative presents John de Witt, heartbroken yet determined to protect his brother. Their impending doom is accentuated by rising mob anger and a political climate filled with betrayal and intrigue. Amidst this chaos, a subplot surrounding the pursuit of the black tulip begins to emerge, setting the stage for a intertwining tale of passion, politics, and the quest for beauty in a world torn apart by hatred. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Description
Translation of La tulipe noire
Metadata
language_code
en
locc_code
PQ
bookshelf
Category: Novels
Category: Historical Novels
Category: French Literature
Historical Fiction
subject
Tulip Mania, 1634-1637 -- Fiction
Witt, Johan de, 1625-1672 -- Fiction
Netherlands -- History -- 1648-1714 -- Fiction