Semper Augustus

by Olivier Bleys

Haarlem, vers 1635. La ville des Pays-Bas est en proie à la tulipomanie, une spéculation effrénée sur les bulbes de tulipe. Dans ce contexte, un modeste marchand, qui a fui la France et les persécutions religieuses décide de partir seul pour l'Amérique en espérant y faire fortune. Il laisse toute sa famille aux bons soins d'un personnage qui va savoir tirer parti de cette situation.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, France

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

He holds master's degrees in modern literature, computer graphics and cultural project management. At the age of twenty-two he won the young novelist's prize for The Island. Three years later his second book, The Prince of the Fork, received a national prize. His third novel, Pastel, was translated into several foreign languages and rewarded by the French Academy.
Besides writing novels and travel diaries, Olivier Bleys designs interactive CD-Roms, lectures on multimedia, manages cultural projects and organises exhibitions. He has a wide range of interests spanning medieval history, music and science-fiction. He lives in Paris.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cornelis Van Deruick, a widower and father of four, decides to go to the Americas to make a fortune for his family. Until his return, he delegates his firstborn to take care of his younger brother and sisters, their small business in Haarlem also in his charge. In order to better provide for his offspring, Cornelis writes a letter to Paulus van Bereysten, an affluent and influential person – also an old friend whose life he’d once saved – asking him to become his sons’ protector. Wilhem, the eldest and now head of the family, soon falls into the thrall of this cunning merchant who entered their lives and took advantage of his gullibility – first by seducing him into becoming his lover, then by tricking him into investing all of his assets in the tulip bulb commerce. His ignorance and greed soon make him plunge himself and his brothers into a state of abject poverty and sheer misery.

Admittedly, a despicable man, Paulus van Bereysten is nonetheless a compelling and charismatic character – an ugly, arrogant and stingy bastard who eventually manages to turn his feeblenesses into a weapon he cunningly wields to his own advantage. Throughout the book, it’s impossible to fathom whether he’s downright cruel and greedy, or if he can offer genuine sympathy. Of all characters, I took a liking to Paulus because he was the most complex.

The book is an easy read, with useful tips on tulip growing in the 1600’s Netherlands, and the text is also packed with skills on sales and negotiation. All said though, I wouldn’t count this book among my favourites, as it’s rather predictable and fairly boring. I found it relatively interesting to find out about tulip growing and commerce, but 360 pages about how a 24-year-old ruins his family financially and devastates them on the emotional level felt like a drag.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lecture lente mais appréciable pour le contexte historique si l'on souhaite en savoir davantage sur l'age d'or du commerce de tulipes au Pays Bas.

[Giuliana Unlibropersognaregiuly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romanzo ambientato nel 1600 in Olanda dove una famiglia di 5 persone cerca di elevare la propria condizione sociale. Il padre, preoccupato per il futuro dei figli, decide di partire per il nuovo mondo in cerca di fortuna, convinto di poter così assicurare ai propri figli un futuro migliore. Lascia così la famiglia nelle mani del primogenito Whilem, e lo affida alle cure di un amico di alto rango, a cui ha salvato la vita in guerra. L'affidatario, rettore dell'Università, avvia i due fratelli al commercio dei tulipani e cerca un buon partito per la maggiore delle sorelle. In breve tempo il tenore della famiglia cresce in maniera esponenziale, ma a quale prezzo?
Un romanzo sull'avidita', sull'unione familiare e sulla pochezza che molto spesso il genere umano sa sviluppare.

[Orma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Letto fino a metà sperando che decollasse, dopo di che mi sono limitata a sorvolarlo fino al termine. Oliver Bleys riesce nel discutibile intento di raccontare il declino di una famiglia senza suscitare il minimo moto di simpatia o commozione (o al contrario repulsione o avversione) per alcuno dei suoi componenti. L'apatia della scrittura avvolge per un po', quasi ipnotica, poi ci si rende conto di sprecare il proprio tempo.

[Ingrida Lisauskiene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Istorinis romanas apie tulpių karštinę Olandijoje XVI amžiuje. Intriguojantis, bet kai kur truputį "perlenktas".

[Claudie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passionnant. On est emportés dans ce tourbillon avec les personnages.

[Aš · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kvailiai tie visi vien tulpių svogūnus sapnuoja Vieninteliu noru jų protai ir širdys alsuoja. Bet jas isigije tie mulkiai mums sukelia juokq Nes patys aiškiausiai pamato, kad laimė kartoka.
Petras Ondijus' (1578-1621)

Jauniems numirti galima, seniems - būtina.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una bella storia raccontata però in modo pesante e a tratti logorroico. I personaggi sono ben descritti e l'intreccio è interessante.

Un libro sufficientemente carino.

[Carine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Très lente lecture... C'est l'histoire d'une famille qui vivra des hauts et des bas avec le commerce des tulipes.