Tulip Fever
Tulip Fever
Book Brief
288
Novel • Fiction
Amsterdam, Netherlands • 1630s
1999
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach is set in 1630s Amsterdam and follows wealthy merchant Cornelis Sandvoort who commissions a portrait of him and his young wife, Sophia. The artist, Jan van Loos, and Sophia begin a forbidden affair, leading to a web of deceit involving Sophia's maid, Maria. This spiral of deception and betrayal amidst the tulip market craze has dramatic repercussions for all involved. The story includes themes of adultery, deception, and betrayal.
Mysterious
Romantic
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
15,590 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach is praised for its vivid portrayal of 17th-century Amsterdam and the speculative tulip trade, offering rich historical detail and engaging plot twists. Some critics note that character development can be lacking, and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a captivating read with both strengths and flaws, appealing to historical fiction enthusiasts.
Who Should Read Tulip Fever?
A reader who enjoys historical romance and intrigue will find Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach captivating. Fans of The Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier or The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton, who appreciate richly detailed 17th-century Dutch settings and complex character dynamics, would relish this gripping tale of love and betrayal.
15,590 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Tulip Fever was originally published in 1999 and gained renewed interest following the film adaptation released in 2017.
Deborah Moggach, the author of Tulip Fever, also wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation of her novel The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
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The novel's setting during the Dutch Golden Age was inspired by the real historical phenomenon of "tulip mania," a period in the early 17th century when tulip bulb prices reached extraordinarily high levels.
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288
Novel • Fiction
Amsterdam, Netherlands • 1630s
1999
Adult
18+ years
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