The Black Tulip By Alexandre Dumas

 



The Black Tulip proffers the readers a full magnanimous range of human emotions, ranging from hatred, greed, loyalty, jealousy, obsession, and above all the 3 most striking emotions of tolerance, love, and dedication!`

 

The first-seven chapters with gruesome political-historical content turned out to be tough and gritty for me (due to my oblivion towards the topic). The first few chapters put forward the cruel ghastly politics of the 17th-century Dutch, where 2 dutchmen are butchered by the mob (in the course of the political state of affairs)!

Once I was past these tough chapters, the story gathered for me and I stayed riveted.

 

Without imperiling the readers interest and not sharing any spoilers (I guess the blurb reveals a lot more 😊 )-

 

Two brothers are murdered by the mob in course of political events, and the main character of the story Cornelius (the godson of one of the brothers), fanatic about tulips, is wrongly incarcerated, due to the jealousy of his neighbor, Boxtel.

It is a story of his sheer nerve and courage to bring his dream of growing black tulip to fruition. On this quest, the jailer’s daughter, Rosa, who ultimately becomes the love of his life, aids him.

I know Cornelius has been propounded as the hero of the story by Dumas, but for me Rosa clearly stands out to be the one, showcasing the strongest form of love for Cornelius, helping him sail through all thick and thin.

 

She constantly finds herself having to compete with the tulip for his affection. One of her emotional remarks from her  –

“I have made a grievous blunder; it may be I have ruined Cornelius, the tulip, and myself. I have given the alarm, and perhaps awakened suspicion. I am but a woman; these men may league themselves against me, and then I shall be lost. If I am lost that matters nothing,—but Cornelius and the tulip!”

 

She is otherwise a strong and agile character who does what is right, even if it means going against the wishes of Cornelius or her father.

 

The stellar characters of the story for me are two- Rosa and the elusive black tulip!

 

A quick walk-through of the character traits-

Gryphus, the jailer (father of Rosa) – Epitome of villainy

Boxtel, the neighbor – the epitome of jealousy and wickedness

Cornelius – the epitome of chutzpah and tolerance

Rosa- the epitome of love, dedication, and courage

 

Just due to the first few chapters are based on a topic of my least interest, but the rest of the novel centers on the ones that entice me, a well-deserved 4-stars!

 

NB- The lovers of “The count of monte Cristo”, in all probability will favor the book.

I will remember this book for Rosa, owning a fascinating and gripping character persona! 😊

 

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