Il Tulipano Nero
1850
In 1630s Holland, at the height of tulip mania when a single bulb could cost a fortune, one man pursues the impossible: a truly black tulip. Cornelius van Baerle has dedicated his fortune and his life to this botanical grail, only to be betrayed by his jealous neighbor Boxtel, who frames him for conspiracy against the state. Thrown into prison to await execution, Cornelius finds something unexpected: Rosa, the jailer's daughter, whose compassion ignites a desperate love. Together, they nurture a single bulb toward its impossible bloom, while outside the walls of Delft, political forces collide and the de Witt brothers face the fury of the Orangist mob. This is Dumas at his most surprising: not a sword fight in sight, yet every bit as thrilling. A meditation on obsession, jealousy, and love written with the master's sure hand.
Editions
X-Ray
“Sometimes one has suffered enough to have the right to never say: I am too happy.””
— Alexandre Dumas
“Misfortune does not help us to believe. ””
— Alexandre Dumas
“It is quite rare for God to provide a great man at the necessary moment to carry out some great deep, which is why when this unusual combination of circumstance does occur, history at once records the name of the chosen one and recommends him to the admiration of posterity. ””
— Alexandre Dumas
“There is nothing more galling to angry people than the coolness of those on whom they wish to vent their spleen.””
— Alexandre Dumas
“You scholars, you're in communication with the devil.””
— Alexandre Dumas
“God orders a man to do all he can to save his life.””
— Alexandre Dumas
“There are some catastrophes that a poor writer's pen cannot describe and which he is obliged to leave to the imagination of his readers with a bald statement of the facts.””
— Alexandre Dumas
“But there is this terrible thing in evil thoughts, that evil minds soon grow familiar with them.””
— Alexandre Dumas
“To despise flowers is to offend God.””
— Alexandre Dumas
