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The Black Tulip
Alexandre Dumas Collection
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The Black Tulip - Background Information
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2011 Group Reads - Archives > The Count of Monte Cristo - Background Information and Resources (You can always access archived threads, but you may have to open additional topics to see them.)
Here is some unofficial info on Dumas' life. Way back in my grad school days, I worked on a dissertation (which I never finished) on Dumas' theatrical works.
Dumas was the son of a half-black Napoleonic general. The father's story is excellently told in the non-fiction The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo As a young man, Dumas set off, just like d'Artagnan, to make his fortune in Paris. He first became famous as a dramatist. He and Victor Hugo pioneered a new style of play, more like Shakespeare than like the French classics, because it mixed tragedy, comedy, poetry and prose. Dumas wrote a LOT, often with the help of ghost writers in his later years. Through his serialized novels, he made and spent a fortune. He was famous as a gourmand (he wrote an encyclopedia of cooking) and a raconteur, a memorable host or guest at parties. He would have been a fabulous participant on a TV talk show!
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I love Dumas (and his ghostwriters, whoever they were). Looking forward to reading this. (Have a couple chapters left of Arthur Gordon Pym and then I'll start.)
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This article has a great historical background on the William of Orange takeover the book begins explaining. Be careful though as it also has a complete summary of the book. It’s a good reference while you read if you get confused by any Dutch names, too, great character descriptions. https://www.thoughtco.com/black-tulip...
