This incident takes up the first few chapters of the book, but the main story revolves around Cornelius de Witt’s godson, Cornelius van Baerle. John de Witt, who presided over the previous republican government, and his brother Cornelius de Witt, a high official in his administration, are deposed from their offices and brutally assassinated in the streets of The Hague. William of Orange has taken power in Holland. Dumas opens the book by depicting an actual event in Dutch history. Originally published in 1850 as Le Tulipe Noire, this novel takes place in 1672 in the Netherlands. With The Black Tulip, I was disappointed on all counts. Yet, when I pick up a book by Dumas, the bare minimum that I expect from him are at least a few surprises, a certain degree of suspense, and most of all, some good honest entertainment. I’ve read enough of his works to know that they’re not all action/adventure novels like the Three Musketeers. I consider myself a fan of Alexandre Dumas.
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