The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

Welcome to our reading of The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas.

I am using the Penguin Classics edition of the book and it has a wonderful introduction. The introduction and the first four chapters give us useful insight into the political climate of the times as well as the physical setting of the story.

In this week's reading, we meet Rosa, the jailer's daughter, who helps the de Witt brothers escape the mob that has formed at the front gates of the prison. Why is she concerned for the brothers? Why help them? Isn't she taking a huge chance with her own wellbeing and that of her father? Why would she take such a chance?

William the Orange... I can understand why he has an agenda if he believes Cornelius de Witt plotted to have him killed. On one hand, middle of chapter 3, he complains to the Colonel who has accompanied him about the character of Bowelt when he doesn't stand up to the mob, making me believe he wanted the de Witts to be unharmed, but on the other hand, he's the one who arranged for the gates to be blocked so the de Witts could not leave, even though the sentence handed down was for Cornelius to be exiled. So where does he stand? And why would he take the chance of being recognized by someone to witness de Witt's release?

The lynching was a pretty bloody scene. How did the mob go from curious to out for blood? Were the Orangeist planted by William himself to stir up trouble?

Boxtel's reaction to van Baerle seems to be over the top. Even taking into consideration that van Baerle stole his sunlight, he gives up on growing tulips himself and spends his time spying and undermining van Baerle. It appears is the short time we've know him that he is obsessed. He even informed on van Baerle. Do you think this is the last that we'll see of him? Or do you think Dumas will continue to use him as an antagonist?

I am also reading the Penguin Classics version. I am enjoying this book very much, which doesn't surprise me. I have read The Three Musketeers 3 times, and I've read two of the sequels along with The Count of Monte Cristo, and I've loved them all.

The lynching scene was terrible. Just when you have hope that they might escape and survive, they get caught and killed in a horrific manner.

The author seems to be setting up Boxtel to be the villain of the book. His jealousy is definitely over the top. There is something seriously wrong with that man.

I have also read the musketeer series multiple times. Although there are duels, wars, etc., there are no gory details. I was surprised that in Queen Margot, there was a detailed description of torture, and here we have both torture and horrible means of death. (Some people can't stand to read about animals being hurt, or about children in peril, I have a lot of trouble reading about torture and physical suffering.)

I wasn't clear at first who we were supposed to root for. It seemed like the "highness" who was watching wanted to save the brothers but at the end he is revealed as an evil enemy.

I hope we see Rosa again, as she was the most resourceful character we've had. Dumas doesn't often give a lot of credit to female characters, unless they are evil, like Milady.

So far I enjoyed reading this book with some reservations. The lynching scene was somewhat sensational and gruesome. It was difficult to read.
Otherwise it will be interesting how the characters develop. William of Orange is a bit mysterious so far. And not very likable. He appears not to shrink away from using all kind of means including the lynching to achieve his goal. It is not quite clear why he would complain about Bowelt on the other hand.
Rosa apparently has more than a passing feeling for at least one of the de Witt brothers. Interesting to see what happens to her further on. I would not be surprised if she will meet van Bearle in jail.
Boxtel is a villain par excellence, a bit over the top, I agree.
Looking forward to the rest of the book.

I have read ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ and although the descriptions in that novel of the prison incarceration and some of the deaths were explicit, nothing was as horrible as the way the mob killed the de Witt brothers. In this story William of Orange has already been shown as ruthless and cunning, deliberately making sure there was no means of escape and allowing his followers to act like barbarians on his behalf but without him being implicated.

Boxtel’s jealousy is bordering on insanity and he has completely reneged on the tulip growers’ code of friendly rivalry. Van Bearle seems naive to the extreme about how he might be considered dangerous to the new regime, he was related to the de Witts after all. However, as he seems to be the hero of the story, I am looking forward to finding out how he extricates himself from the perilous situation he finds himself in.

There were a lot of characters at the beginning and it was a bit hard to keep them straight.

I always find Dumas's historical fiction interesting, especially his choice of which historical figures to paint as sympathetic and which to paint as villains. (Are "historical" spoilers allowed here - details about what happened in real life to the historical figures in the book?)

Van Baerle is the kind of character that makes me think "Oh, I hope nothing happens to him!" But of course, it's a book, so something has to happen to him. Maybe Rosa will help him too.

I don't think Rosa necessarily had feelings for the elder Cornelius, but she probably felt sorry for him. And some (most?) of the other inmates were probably belligerent, so she saw him as different and felt he deserved to get away.

Lori wrote: " (Are "historical" spoilers allowed here - details about what happened in real life to the historical figures in the book?)"

I would just use the spoiler formatting. I intentionally didn't include any of the historical detail as I was personally not sure how much was fact vs. the artistic license of Dumas. I would absolutely love to learn about the actual history if you'd like to discuss it.

Thanks. I was a bit surprised at how William was depicted. Historical spoiler below (not a "book" spoiler, as I have not yet read ahead).

(view spoiler)[ This was the same William of Orange who became the King of England alongside his wife, Queen Mary, the daughter of James II. I could be wrong, but I thought he was a popular figure in history, so it was a bit of a surprise that he's portrayed here as a devious scoundrel. (hide spoiler)]

Dumas definitely plays favorites and doesn't always stick to historical facts.

I did read this a couple of years ago. Good Dumas, not great.
I will be starting his "The Two Dianas" very shortly.

I read this a couple of years ago and really enjoyed, maybe because the characters were not part of the nobility, just regular people I could relate to.

This lesser-known work of Dumas is my favourite by his. I read this about three years back, but the story is still fresh in my mind. The opening is pretty gruesome and it was the most difficult part to read. The merciless lynching by the mob was so horrifying. The contradictory conduct of Prince Orange is suspicious. It seems somehow he has had an involuntary hand in the unjust execution of the De Witt brothers.

The story apart from its historical setting is interesting. The rivalry between Boxtel and Van Baerle to grow tulips and to produce a black tulip to win a competition was interestingly and somewhat comically portrayed.

Rosa is one of my favourite heroines. Her perseverance through her trials is remarkable. And the patience and faith in justice by Van Baerle is admirable. The ending is rewarding for all the suspense.

Lori wrote: "Thanks. I was a bit surprised at how William was depicted. Historical spoiler below (not a "book" spoiler, as I have not yet read ahead).

It could be because William was an enemy of France. It reminded me of how Victor Hugo was less than appreciative of the abilities of the Duke of Wellington and the allied forces at the Battle of Waterloo, attributing the downfall of his beloved Napoleon to fate. However I also know that Dumas left France for Italy later in life so I may be wrong.

Yes, that's a good point.

Sorry i got in on this a bit late but i had another buddy read i was reading. I am reading the book now and as i finish the different chapters will post thought. i really appreciate reading the comments here! It makes for a enjoyable time doing it together.

Glad you could join is, Cosmic Arcata.

Cosmic wrote: "Sorry i got in on this a bit late but i had another buddy read i was reading. I am readg with my book now nd as i finish the different chapters will post thought. i really appreciate reading the co..."

No need to apologize, glad you could join us. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

It's fine to post comments as you go and we will still see them.