Cordelia Underwood: Or, The Marvelous Beginnings of the Moosepath League

The Moosepath League #1

by Van Reid

Set during the summer of 1896 on the coast of Maine, a picaresque yarn follows lovely redhead Cordelia Underwood on a quest for her inheritance, which places her in the company of the jolly, Dickensian founders of the Moosepath League. Reprint.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Humor, Adventure, 19th Century

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, but sadly I would be hesitant to recommend it to anyone, unless I really knew what type of book that they liked, because, as Abraham Lincoln (I believe it was him) so aptly put it, "this is a very good book for people who like this sort of book." What sort of book was it? Well, it takes place during the Victorian era in Maine over less than a week's time period, and is written in a sprawling and rambling Dickensian style. In fact, it was so convincingly Dickensian that I was amazed to find out that the author is contemporary.

As for the plot: Cordelia Underwood's family is visited one night by a man who was with her uncle when he died. This man has brought her uncle's sea chest to her. Inside the chest, Cordelia discovers that her Uncle has left her some land, and what seems to be a clue to find the treasure that's buried there.
The book also tells the story of Tobias Walton, who has been gone from Maine for years, and only plans on staying for a short while, but he keeps getting swept up into adventure after adventure.
It also tells the story of three bumbling gentlemen (read hilarious) who decide to form a club. Nevermind the fact that they don't know what the club will be called, what it's purpose will be, and that the man they choose to be the leader of the club (Tobias Walton) is someone they only met the day before, he doesn't know he's the leader of the club, and he's becoming increasingly difficult to track down.
Of course, all three plots coincide in the end.

Now, why I would be hesitant to recommend it. If the story has a moral (if indeed any story HAS to have a moral, which they don't) it would be, 'talk to every stranger that you meet, because you never know what sort of adventure or tale it can lead to.' This leads to an enormously tangential plot. I enjoyed it, but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea.

Favorite quote: "erudite, travelled, and (above all) interested, Mister Walton had the power to dismatle walls of stiff propriety by respecting them, and having none of his own."

This book contains multitudes: 3 plot lines, over 100 characters, humor, adventure, mystery, romance, and to me, there is a lot to love.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover design for this series does the author no favors. What lurks beneath this generic, vaguely chick-lit-y, vaguely historical cover is a rollicking adventure with terrific characters, gentle humor and various deeds of derring-do. This is the first of Reid's Moosepath books, and an entertaining introduction to the wonders of small-town life in turn of the century Maine. If you can read this and not come away from it with a bit of a crush on Reid's quirky cast, you're a better person than I.

[Susan Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the back of the book is a blurb about the author, Van Reid, which simply states that he has been the assistant manager of a book store for the past seven years and did not attend college. This must be an example of great modesty, because this book is nothing short of a work of genius. After reading 'Cordelia Underwood' I would have thought that Mr. Reid would surely have various degrees and titles to his name, the least of which would have been Professor of Literature at some prestigious college.

Van Reid has written a good old-fashioned yarn that includes humor - lots of it, wit, romance, and an undeniable sense of adventure that sweeps the reader away to another time and place. The cast of wonderful characters and the eloquent and stylishly written narrative transform themselves into a vivid, tale of a different era. Every character has a story to tell and each fresh tale seems to spawn another; there are balloon ascensions, phantom sailors, tall tales, mysterious notes, and determined suitors; fortunately, everyone is so charming and their yarns so entertaining that you don't really mind the many, many digressions from the purported main plot of the book.
Although I have read many books, and wished myself a part of them, I have never had the yearning to have known the characters and participated in the adventures written about, as I had with 'Cordelia Underwood.'
The writing style reminded me of PG Woodhouse, a and a modern Charles Dickens…absolutely delightful and wonderful description of scenery and characters.
It's refreshing to read a story with no sex (just a little romance), hardly any violence, and absolutely no naughty words. I love this book and I completely recommend it to everyone.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

In July 1896, 23 year-old Cordelia Underwood is bored. Most ladies her age are married or have a suitable position, but Cordelia is content to remain at home in Portland, Maine, except when there's nothing to do. Then a messenger comes, bringing a report of her Uncle Basil's death and the shocking news that Basil left Cordelia a parcel of land! She can barely remember her uncle, he was at sea all of her life and rarely came to visit. Why leave the land to Cordelia and not her brothers? She's pleased though, with the news. While visiting the wharf to pick up Basil's sea chest, Cordelia comes to the rescue of a portly, middle-aged man who nearly falls in the water trying to recover his hat. For all her effort, Cordelia nearly falls off the wharf herself until a handsome stranger pulls her to safety. Cordelia invites Mr. Watson to join her family on their 4th of July picnic outing at the fairgrounds; there is to be a balloon accession and other activities. Mr. Watson agrees and spends an enjoyable day despite dueling politicians and a mishap with the balloon. He makes the acquaintance of three gentlemen: Messers Ephram, Eagleton and Thump, who are quite taken with Mr. Watson. The characters separate and go on their own eventful journeys before being reunited for the exciting conclusion.

This story is very charming at times, reminiscent of Mark Twain at times, but it's very LONG. The book features three different plot lines that converge at the end and make it difficult to follow the plot. Actually there isn't a cohesive plot until the final third of the novel, then I stayed up too late reading and woke up too early to finish. I liked the stories individually as separate short stories but as a whole, this novel doesn't really work for me. I really liked the old yarns told by some of the characters; one of which is a ghost story, which doesn't have much bearing on the rest of the story. I also loved the animal scenes that were worthy of a writer like P.G. Wodehouse. The final third of the novel is an engaging mystery. I knew who "the boss" was but then it didn't seem possible. I didn't like how that plot came out at the end. It was a bit confusing as to "the boss'" involvement in the plot, what exactly were they hoping for from Cordelia and then the story wasn't really resolved. I was disappointed by the lack of resolution. There is also a bit of romance in the second half of the book. I wasn't thrilled by it and wasn't entirely surprised by how it turned out.

The characters are well drawn and interesting. I loved Ephram, Eagleton and Thump. They're not too bright but they mean well and they're funny and their journey is quite fun. I also really liked Mr. Watson and his sidekick, Sundry Moss. They're both intelligent, shrewd, brave and caring men. Cordelia is interesting but she disappears from large chunks of the story and her romantic plot is somewhat trite. I feel like the author didn't quite do her justice. She's witty and intelligent. A 23 year old unmarried woman with red hair and green eyes is very intriguing and I'd like to know more about her. Her parents are loving, kind people and I really enjoyed the family scenes. Aunt Delia is awesome and I admire her. Aunt Grace is a bit stern and stiff but she's a caring mother and aunt and she knows how to keep everyone from going crazy.

The villains are really cartoonish at times. Some are not very bright but that makes them funny. "The boss" is very intelligent and knows his game well. I was surprised at all the intrigue. He's an interesting villain. There are many many other characters in this story and they are quirky, original and fun.

I liked the story but didn't love it. It was way too long and disjointed for me. I wish it could have been a little trimmer.

[Melora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh my word. This book gives new meaning to "leisurely." I read it aloud to my kids, and my son, who is a connoisseur of the quirky, is convinced that the author meant all the elaborate descriptions of sunlight dappling the gently shifting leaves of the birch, oaks, elms, etc., etc. as a hugely extended Joke. Maybe he's right. Anyway, there Are some amusing scenes in the book, and some of the characters are charming, but there are also vast expanses of excessively detailed description. Nothing actually Happens in the book until page 300, and that is resolved almost immediately. There are, however, entertaining little stories, mostly told by incidental characters, scattered throughout the main narrative, and these kept us reading. The author is Really good at short sketches, but he seems bent on making himself a caricature of a Victorian writer (Dickens, perhaps?) and succeeds spectacularly.

[Elisabeth]

It's very rare that I don't finish a book, and even rarer that I give it up because I just lost interest. For the first few pages of Cordelia Underwood I thought I was going to love it—I liked the old-fashioned writing style and was fairly amused by the humor. But after chapter after chapter of brief clipped dialogue and introductions of yet another eccentric character for not much apparent reason, I found I just didn't really care any more about what happened next. It's a bit like New England Dickens, but without the spark of vitality to make the whole thing hang together. I don't know if I'm just not in the right mood for it, or if the book really is dull, but I'm putting it aside for now.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cordelia Underwood: Or, the Marvelous Beginnings of the Moosepath League by Van Reid
4.5★’s

From The Book:
Step back in time to Portland, Maine, in 1896. When the young, beautiful, redheaded Cordelia Underwood inherits a parcel of land from her seafaring uncle, it sets in motion a chain of events that leads to the unearthing of a family secret two centuries old. Cordelia soon crosses paths with Mister Tobias Walton and finds herself aided in her quest by the warmhearted gentleman, who has never heard of an adventure he isn't eager to join. Together with his hapless trio of friends, the Moosepath League, they embark on an entertaining and audacious adventure. Teeming with Cupid's arrows flying hither and yon, apparitions, a kidnapping, smuggling, and thievery, and filled with wonderment, romance, and adventure, Cordelia Underwood is a splendid yarn of the old-fashioned variety.

My Thoughts:
The book takes place in a much gentler by- gone time of1896 among the well-to-do of Portland Maine. It’s a romance, a treasure hunt, and a mystery all rolled into one beautiful package…with a touch of modern humor and sensibility. I stumbled onto this intriguing book as a recommendation as a Blind Date With a Book from “tealady” one of my friends on LibraryThing. The story is character-driven from beginning to end....and what fascinating characters and great tales they do tell. Everyone from 10 to 100 will absolutely love it and I am looking forward to making friends with the remainder of the series.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just couldn't get into this one. The whimsy and old-fashioned feel seemed like they were trying way too hard.

[Robert Nolin · Rating 2 out of 5]

My goodness, this was a pleasant book. The main characters were all exceedingly kind, polite, and considerate, I must say. In fact, for the first three hundred pages, there was hardly a conflict in sight, due to the overwhelming pleasantness of the story. No one seems to have a job (which might be unpleasant, I suppose), and days are spent pleasantly conversing, visiting, strolling, and exclaiming "My goodness!" and "Good heavens!" Finally, around page 301, the author decides (rather suddenly, and shockingly) to introduce a plot and some unpleasantness. I had to put the book down for a bit to compose myself. The plot involves a buried treasure, but it's all rather muddled, and in the end, the treasure chest is lost and we never do find out what it contained. Perhaps this was all for the best. Goodness knows what sort of unpleasantness was inside. I shan't be reading more of these books, as this one was quite enough. People nearly have romantic relationships, but not quite, thank goodness. I may have fainted from the shock.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good 400-plus page book that would have been a good 300-page book. Although the author is contemporary, the book is set at the end of the nineteenth century, and the style of writing reflects this. (It has a Prairie Home Companion, folksy feel - this is not a compliment!) The chapters were originally published in serial form, and it reads that way - the author describes the style as "digressive," which it definitely is. I would have been happy to skip all of the digressions, but I liked the main characters.

[Britney Bagley · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a born and raised Mainer, I really wanted to like this book. I made it 100 pages before I gave up. I just couldn’t get into it - after that amount of reading I feel like SOMETHING should be happening. Maybe it got there eventually, but if so, it took too long to get to the point and turned out boring instead.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me look crazy while reading it, as I kept laughing out loud. Love Van Reid's style of writing and the time period as well, plus it doesnt hurt that most of it is based in Maine, so very easy to picture the places in the stories...cannot get enough of Van Reid.

[Rayrumtum · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book started off promisingly with the plot, but then moseyed all around without getting to the interesting part of the plot. After a 150 pages, I became angry at myself and decided to budget my limited reading time for something else.

[Mindy Shuppy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is all over the place! The plot is, simply put, tangential. To be honest I had no idea what the book was even about for three quarters of it; the points of view seemed random and unconnected - until they weren't. It wasn't until page 300 that I became interested.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a surprisingly long time to really get into this, but when I did, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

One of the main characters, Tobias Walton, is compared to Dickens' Pickwick and I think the description fits. He hires Sundry Moss -- an extremely capable young man -- who is reminiscent of Mr. Pickwick' Sam Weller. Mr Pickwick is more bumbling than Mr. Walton, but each depends on his reliable right-hand man. Of course, Pickwick is joined by three fairly silly companions -- and Tobias Walton is similarly recruited by three hapless fellows who want him to be the chairman of their new club (Moosepath League). Tobias keeps inadvertently doing feats that seem heroic, though he really has no idea he is doing them. Another storyline features Cordelia Underwood, the actual heroine, I suppose, who, along with various family members, embarks on a journey to see land that was bequeathed to her by her late uncle. There is a bit of a mystery, and some sinister doings (I was surprised by a twist in the plot!), but all in all, a fun, light read.

I would recommend it to people who enjoyed The Pickwick Papers, and also to those who enjoyed Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome .

[Brian Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot tell you how much joy this book, and its sequels, have brought to my family in the years since its publication. It's a curious tome that, if your heart is fertile soil, will extend its roots deep into you and bloom with joy, curiosity, and good will on a regular basis.

[Sarah Frick · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah…not my favorite. Reading it felt like a chore until I hit the last 100 pages.

[Desert Swede · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delight. A spin on the Pickwick Papers. A wonderful American novel about 1890's Maine. Many out loud chuckles.

[Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming book with a lovely old fashioned feel. I enjoyed the very politeness of this. Even the bad guys were almost courtly. Having grown up in Wiscasset, I especially enjoyed the story of the Marie Antoinette House. The problem was the rambling. Too many plot lines for so many leisurely words.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delicious story! I am hooked! The Moosepath League is entertaining and endearing. I've ordered all the books! There are 6 in the series, written from 1999-2012.

This whole story takes place in just 12 days. Cordelia Underwood and Tobias Walton meet at the wharf in Portland Maine. Subsequently, Mister Walton meets Eagleton, Ephram and Thump - 3 unusual gentlemen starting a new club. The story then breaks off into 3 running story-lines. We find out how Tobias becomes involved with the Moosepath League and goes off on his adventures with and without the League and Cordelia and her family go off on their adventure to solve the puzzle her uncle left her in his will. Each adventure more or less alternates with each chapter seamlessly, in the end converging into one great story. It was ingenious writing. Like 3 stories for the price of one! 400 pages, long time to get to the point in a story isn't it, you ask? Not at all! Not a boring moment in the book, just lots of rollicking fun and wonderfully unique characters. I laughed out loud often and can't wait to go on more adventures with Eagleton, Ephram, and Thump and their beloved chairman, Tobias Walton and his man, Sundry Moss.

Read the rest of my review at Peggy Ann's Post

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

rating: 3.5
July 1896
Maine: Portland to Bangor to Millinocket to Mt Katahdin (almost)

This book fits into a category all of its own. History, humor, adventure, tall tale, and a little romance all mixed together with a plethora of characters and a splash of melodrama. The humor is described as 'hilarious,' which is a word that always makes me wary, especially when it has the flare of melodrama, along with three bumblers who are only a little better than the three stooges. After I realized how the story was constructed, I skimmed over many of the tall tales, and that didn't interfere with my understanding of the story.

That said, I did love the historical angle and the word portraits of the landscape. There's even a map! However, Reid comments on actual historical elements but it would have been helpful if he'd also pointed out the ones that he pulled from his imagination. (Most of the locations he says are authentic.)

Here's the title of Book Two, July 3, 1896, Chapter 6:
A Deafening Silence Hushed by
the Smell of Bacon Frying
Nicely written, especially because it does capture the essence of the chapter.

I don't know if I'll pick up another book in this series. I might but only because I like the verbal images of Maine and its history; once again, I would skip the tall tales.

Did not keep

[Dollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story. Cordelia and her family live in Portland, Maine. A stranger by the name of Tobias Walton comes into their lives by accident and he always seems to be in the right place at the right time. This book was so funny it made me laugh out loud. The incident I thoroughly enjoyed was the Fourth of July in Freeport. From there the group goes to Millinocket to search for buried treasure. Cordelia is kidnapped, but then rescued by Mr. Scott, a Maine Woods Guide. Lots of funny stories in this book. Reid is a very talented writer and this book really takes one back a hundred years to a simpler time and place. I loved it.

[Darlene Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ IT....for the love of words!! This author, Van Reid, takes words and like honey dripping from a spoon, he wraps a sweet thread around and around till you are hooked!! It was just a tad slow to start as he introduces all it's unique and lovely characters, but soon you'll find yourself thinking "what's the hurry to see where this is going?", and just enjoy the journey. Goodreads review sums it up perfectly..."Superbly written, with a vivid sense of place and period, this is a book for any day that begs a few hours of pure delight." Now I'm on to the next book continuing the adventure in "Mollie Peer or the Underground adventure of the Moosepath League".

[Staci Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I'm also surprised that I did. The writing is very different from what I usually enjoy reading, but the author was able to transport me to a different time and different place. For me, It's rare to find a book that doesn't have some predictability. With this book, I never guessed how this story eventually played out.

[Devyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spent two weeks on the first hundred pages, this book isn't for me right now. The story moves way too slowly.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Step back in time to Portland, Maine, in 1896. When the young, beautiful red-headed Cordelia Underwood inherits a parcel of land from her seafaring uncle, it sets in motion a chain of events that leads to the unearthing of a family secret two centuries old. Cordelia soon crosses paths with Mister Tobias Walton and finds herself aided in her quest by the warmhearted gentleman, who has never heard of an adventure he isn't eager to join. Together with his hapless trio of friends, the Moosepath League, they embark on an entertaining and audacious adventure. Teeming with Cupid's arrows flying hither and you, apparitions, a kidnapping, smuggling, and thievery, and filled with wonderment, romance, and adventure, Cordelia Underwood is a splendid yarn of the old-fashioned variety."
~~back cover

The style is very reminiscent of Dickens: a wide scope, detailed characterization of all including minor ones, and the pitting of good against evil. It all makes for a long read: 464 pages, but the plot is so intricate, the events either so humorous or perilous that it's easily read. The three characters of the Moosepath League alone are worth the read: a delightful satire of foppish young gentlemen of the times. And Cordelia is the very antithesis of the usual young heroine: brave, not at all missish, and a young woman who knows her own heart and mind.

I don't generally give 4 stars unless I quite enjoyed the book, and ai certainly did enjoy this one.

[D.L. Morrese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maine in 1896 is not noted for being an exciting time and place, and this story about it reflects that. It's not exciting...which is rather refreshing, making for an undemanding, leisurely read. The story takes a slow pace, plodding almost amiably in a quaint prose style while introducing a caste of charmingly eccentric characters. As the story wanders, seemingly without direction and with the point of view shifting between characters, a few annoying threads are left dangling (like a ghost ship manifestation that's never explained satisfactorily). About 300 pages in, a plot (of sorts) emerges and the pace picks up with a pirate treasure and a kidnapping. I think the term "character driven" applies to stories like this. The plot matters less than the personalities of the characters who are, almost without exception, wonderfully quirky. I'm not sure I found them charming enough to continue reading the series, but they are kind of fun.

[Phyllida · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is an obvious debt to Dickens and The Pickwick Papers in this book - it is even made the favourite book of the heroine and her dead uncle. The central character is called something else but it obviously supposed to resemble Mr Pickwick. We get a Sam Weller figure called Sundry Moss and three characters who form the gentlemen's club they don't name the Moosepath League until about three-quarters of the way through the book. Cordelia Underwood knows these people socially but their stories don't coincide much until the last section where the author suddenly decides he meant to write a thriller all along while his readers thought they were reading a gentle comedy of manners with a little mystery thrown in. There were some amusing incidents in the book but the author is obviously setting it up for a series.

[Gayle Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this adventure! It's characters are lovable, endearing (perhaps a bit predictable but wonderful) and witty and it's not overdone with adventure or violence, which gives us a bit of a breather. We can read a well-written story without having to endure such modern hyperbole. Van Reid writes a beautiful prose, including simple poetry, which adds to the pastoral nature of the book. However, this story isn't the typical 19th century "everyone lives happily ever after" tale; it does have meat, but just the right amount. If you're looking for a fun book, this is a good one.