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The Black Tulip

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About this listen

When tulip-grower Cornelius van Baerle is framed for treason and sentenced to death, he is powerless against the brutal factional politics that put him in prison. But Rosa, the jailer’s daughter, is beautiful and strong-willed, and when they fall in love she determines not only to save him but also to grow the near mythical flower: the black tulip.S et in the savage turmoil of Holland’s late 17th century, this intimate novel celebrates the power of integrity over obsession, and tolerance over violence; and it creates in the black tulip a symbol of humanity’s potential.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

Public Domain (P)2011 Naxos AudioBooks Classics European Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literary History & Criticism World Literature Fiction

Editor reviews

The quest to grow a black tulip doesn't have the same narrative appeal as Dumas's Count of Monte Cristo or Three Musketeers, but it provides adventure enough for those who love the great melodramas of the nineteenth century. Peter Joyce delivers a fine rendition of Dumas's meaty prose and is especially good at depicting villains and brutal jailers, less effective at conveying his nubile heroine. Although this is a lesser work by Dumas, the author's judicious detachment, voiced so well in Joyce's calm and untroubled delivery, holds the promise throughout that innocence will triumph and justice eventually prevail: The villain will be vanquished, and the power of the black tulip will somehow open the prison doors and unite the fateful lovers.
All stars
Most relevant
as always the master storyteller Dumas strikes again with this epic tale
loved it from start to finish!

Encore

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Narrated extremely well. Very enjoyable historical fiction. The scene setting at the start felt a bit out of kilter but persist - it ties in as you read on.

Stick with it. Not the easiest start but worth it!

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I love Dumas and his storytelling. The Black Tulip did not disappoint. it starts very dramatically as we know Dumas loves to set a scene and give context to the reader. Then you're into a thrilling drama with highs and lows, comedy and seriousness. The main character is indeed a character but the hero is a woman! loved loved loved it.

Brilliant and beautiful

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I could not wait to finish it, like the 'Dame with camelias' it was tantalizing and I was always kept on the edge. The voice of the narrator carried me through this book as if he was not reading it but rather story telling it! Congratulations to everybody involved in this audible!

An excellent story and a superb voice!

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Peter Joyce makes the characters really live. a very emotional read. I loved it. Comical in places but very much a drama. Who can grow the Black Tulip and win one hundred thousand guilders? Listen and find out.

Excellent!

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