Cornelius: The Orphan
by Douglas Quinn
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Historical Fiction/Adventure--Set in the 17th Century, Cornelius: 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 show more 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. show lessMember Reviews
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 show more 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 show less
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 show more 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 show less
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