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Cornelius: The Orphan
Historical Fiction/Adventure--Set in the 17th Century, The Orphan is based on an actual character in the author's ancestry. The author weaves a tale of adventure and mis-adventure as Cornelius Cursonwhit sets off at a young age from New Amsterdam [New York], traveling on the high seas to Holland in search of his fortune. After a time of modest wealth, gained by illegal enterprises, he his deceived by his partner and lover, and spends twelve years in a Rotterdam prison, Near the end of his term, Cornelius, through trickery, is conscripted into the Royal Dutch Navy, Cornelius ends up in Bermuda aboard a pirate ship captained by the infamous female pirate, Mary Read, after she saves him from certain death at the hand of his arch enemy, Captain Constantijn Kors. Cornelius finally arrives back in the New World. From Boston he travels to the settlement of Dover where, should he marry a woman for whom he has little interest and to whom he cannot divulge his checkered past, a land grant, and more trouble, awaits him.
462 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 26, 2010
Cornelius the Orphan by Douglas Quinn, is an adventuresome tale about a boy named Cornelius Corsunwhit who is orphaned early in life and struggles through many precarious situations to make his way in the world. Set in the 17th century, Cornelius' story begins in New Amsterdam, moves through the Holland seaside and country, and ends back in colonial United States. This story has high-seas adventure, famous historical characters, lust, betrayal, friendship and loss.
Cornelius starts as a glazier's apprentice in New Amsterdam, where just being him gets him into trouble. Unwanted, Cornelius gets notice of an inheritance in Rotterdam, Holland and sets off to find his wealth. Instead of making a life using the skills he learned as an apprentice, Cornelius always seems to try the easy way out. Thus he finds plenty of people who use him, and many situations in which he must find escape.
Cornelius believes that he is above many of the people he meets, even though he is of poor education and has no qualms about stealing from most people. He rarely feels that his misfortunes are of his own causing, and seems to have entitlement issues. One of his only redeeming qualities is his perseverance.
The pace of the storytelling in this selection was good. I really liked that the story moved from different venues and hosted a wide variety of characters for Cornelius to interact with. I also liked how the book put Cornelius into historically significant times and places.
My biggest problem with this story was that Cornelius didn't really learn any lessons to help him do right in his future. He continued to make selfish and arrogant choices at the cost of many of his loved ones. Not to mention, the guy just never caught a break! As much as I disliked Cornelius as a character, I still hoped he would find true happiness at some juncture in his life. Didn't happen...
On a scale of 1-4, I give this book a 3. The writing was done well, the story was diverse and interesting, but damn that Cornelius! Always ruining everything! Perhaps in the next book, his son will learn from his mistakes.
This book was published by AAS White Heron Press
ISBN: 9781453602379
Cornelius starts as a glazier's apprentice in New Amsterdam, where just being him gets him into trouble. Unwanted, Cornelius gets notice of an inheritance in Rotterdam, Holland and sets off to find his wealth. Instead of making a life using the skills he learned as an apprentice, Cornelius always seems to try the easy way out. Thus he finds plenty of people who use him, and many situations in which he must find escape.
Cornelius believes that he is above many of the people he meets, even though he is of poor education and has no qualms about stealing from most people. He rarely feels that his misfortunes are of his own causing, and seems to have entitlement issues. One of his only redeeming qualities is his perseverance.
The pace of the storytelling in this selection was good. I really liked that the story moved from different venues and hosted a wide variety of characters for Cornelius to interact with. I also liked how the book put Cornelius into historically significant times and places.
My biggest problem with this story was that Cornelius didn't really learn any lessons to help him do right in his future. He continued to make selfish and arrogant choices at the cost of many of his loved ones. Not to mention, the guy just never caught a break! As much as I disliked Cornelius as a character, I still hoped he would find true happiness at some juncture in his life. Didn't happen...
On a scale of 1-4, I give this book a 3. The writing was done well, the story was diverse and interesting, but damn that Cornelius! Always ruining everything! Perhaps in the next book, his son will learn from his mistakes.
This book was published by AAS White Heron Press
ISBN: 9781453602379
August 12, 2010
Much in life is about choices and it is the choices the character makes which drive the plot of this picaresque novel.
Like Dickens’ Oliver Twist, Cornelius is an orphan and the author exposes the cruel treatment which was often the lot of such children in earlier times. But in this portrayal of their mutual plight the similarity between Oliver and Cornelius ends. Despite his many trials and temptations, Dickens’ creation remained innocent and eventually was rewarded in fairy-tale fashion.
The life of Cornelius is painted in a grimmer, more realistic manner which, though not always pleasant, is always interesting and keeps the reader turning pages to see what will happen next.
And a lot does happen. Beginning in 17th century New Amsterdam, where the young Cornelius is deceived and shipped off to Rotterdam, then on to the Caribbean, Boston and, finally, the wilds of New Hampshire, the orphan has all sorts of adventures, mingling with the low and the high, including such actual persons as the artists Rembrandt and Vermeer, the scientist and lens-maker van Leeuwenhoek and the pirate Mary Read.
Cornelius is not always likable, often putting his own needs above even of those who have been kind to him. But he has a robust self-reliance and a sense of justice which are admirable, qualities which, time and again, land him in trouble when he comes to the defense of oppressed individuals.
Cornelius is based on a real person, though Quinn has used the broad brush of fiction to depict his history. If this novel whets your taste for more (as it has mine), there is a sequel in the offing involving the orphan’s son, Samuel.
Like Dickens’ Oliver Twist, Cornelius is an orphan and the author exposes the cruel treatment which was often the lot of such children in earlier times. But in this portrayal of their mutual plight the similarity between Oliver and Cornelius ends. Despite his many trials and temptations, Dickens’ creation remained innocent and eventually was rewarded in fairy-tale fashion.
The life of Cornelius is painted in a grimmer, more realistic manner which, though not always pleasant, is always interesting and keeps the reader turning pages to see what will happen next.
And a lot does happen. Beginning in 17th century New Amsterdam, where the young Cornelius is deceived and shipped off to Rotterdam, then on to the Caribbean, Boston and, finally, the wilds of New Hampshire, the orphan has all sorts of adventures, mingling with the low and the high, including such actual persons as the artists Rembrandt and Vermeer, the scientist and lens-maker van Leeuwenhoek and the pirate Mary Read.
Cornelius is not always likable, often putting his own needs above even of those who have been kind to him. But he has a robust self-reliance and a sense of justice which are admirable, qualities which, time and again, land him in trouble when he comes to the defense of oppressed individuals.
Cornelius is based on a real person, though Quinn has used the broad brush of fiction to depict his history. If this novel whets your taste for more (as it has mine), there is a sequel in the offing involving the orphan’s son, Samuel.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews