Black Tulip is a novel by the French novelist Alexander Dumas, the father, who saw the light in 1850. This work is not as widespread as its most famous books, but it occupies a prominent place in the work of the author. It contains all the elements inherent in the style of the writer that brought him world fame: a dynamic fascinating story, an interesting intrigue, colorful memorable characters, easy language and elegant humor.
A brief description of the work of A. Dumas father
The author of the novel “Black Tulip” (1802–1870) became famous not only as a major prose writer. He penned a huge number of journalistic works for historical publications and travel magazines. He is also known for his famous cookbooks. However, he began his literary career by writing plays on historical subjects.
He was an adherent of the romantic trend in literature. His first dramas staged in the theater made his name famous in the circles of the intelligentsia.
The 1840s saw a peak in its popularity. From his pen come the famous story about the musketeers, books about the struggle of Henry of Navarre for the French throne, as well as the work "Count of Monte Cristo." These books strengthened his fame as the greatest writer of his time.
Dumas set out to create a series of books devoted to the medieval history of France, and he generally succeeded. The writer often took as a basis the turning points of the past, which gave him the opportunity to create a tense atmosphere and a dynamic plot. However, some of his books are devoted to events from the history of other countries.
For example, the composition “Notes of a fencing teacher” tells of the Decembrist movement in Russia. The work in question takes the reader to Holland at the end of the 17th century.
Introduction
Black Tulip is a novel whose action, unlike most of the writer's works, takes place in Holland. Events unfold at the time of the most acute political crisis, which served as the backdrop for the main intrigue.
The author masterfully paints William III's struggle with the princes-brothers de Witt. In a fierce confrontation, both die at the hands of an angry mob. However, one of the brothers left the main character, florist Cornelius van Berle, his correspondence with the French minister. This was decided to use by his neighbor Boxtel, who is also involved in the cultivation of tulips and envies the success of his young competitor.
Tie
“Black Tulip” is a novel, the main part of which tells about the adventures of Cornelius caused by his indefatigable desire to grow this rare type of flower. The plot of the work is Boxtel’s denunciation of the storage of the main character of a compromising correspondence. The latter is arrested and imprisoned.
However, a young man who suddenly lost his freedom and property, manages to take with him the precious flower bulbs. In prison, he, with the help of the charming daughter of his jailer Rosa, who fell in love with him, begins to grow a tulip. However, soon he was sentenced to death, and Boxtel agrees with the executioner to transfer his opponent’s belongings in the hope of finding precious onions in her.
Action development
“Black Tulip” is a novel whose plot is not as dynamic and spectacular as in other books of the writer. However, the author’s skill and the language of the book made this work one of the most successful in his bibliography. The protagonist was pardoned at the last moment before the execution, but was transferred to another prison, thereby being separated from her lover and the onions.
However, the young man informed her of his new whereabouts with the help of a pigeon mail, and after a while Rosa managed to transfer her father to serve in the very prison where her lover was serving a life sentence.
Under his leadership, this simple girl learned to read and write, and also managed to grow a magnificent flower, for which the prince was declared a fabulous price and a prestigious award.
Climax
One of the most successful books in the work of Dumas is the work "Black Tulip". The novel, a brief summary of which is the subject of this review, is built on the contrast between the lines of the protagonist, who is entirely engaged in flower cultivation, the political struggle that unfolded in Holland in 1672.
Boxel, calling himself a stranger, came into trust in Rosa’s father and gradually began to solder him. Taking advantage of the moment, he stole a precious flower and hastened with it to the main city in order to procure a prize for himself.
However, Rosa follows him and in time to tell the prince and the jury the story of her lover, who managed to grow a tulip in difficult conditions. Then William orders to bring Cornelius from prison.
Denouement
Suddenly a happy ending ends the work "Black Tulip". Dumas novel, unlike most of his most famous works, ends happily for the main characters.
The prince generously pardons Cornelius after he received a letter from the deceased prince to the protagonist, which said that he was not involved in the political struggle in the state. Then he gives the young man a prize and betrothed him to Rosa.
Boxel, who was present at this happy denouement, could not stand the triumph of his rival: he was seized by an apoplexy blow, from which he died. Cornelius reconciled with his former jailer and father-in-law; the latter occupied the post of gardener in his flower garden.
Adaptations
The basis for several films was the work "Black Tulip". The novel, the film on which was first shot back in 1920, has such a dynamic plot and exciting intrigue that it was very easily transferred to the screen four times, and once - in the form of a full-length cartoon.
However, unfortunately, none of these tapes acquired the status of a cult, in contrast to the French adventure film of the same name of 1963 with A. Delon in the title role. From the novel, this film borrowed only the name and image of the flower. The above tapes came out in different countries: in Germany, Great Britain, Australia.