clevermird's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I first read this book when I was about twelve and I remember not caring for it at all - Disney's Robin Hood was one of my favorite movies and I'd eagerly devoured several other print versions of the legend and in comparison, The Outlaws of Sherwood seemed boring, tame, and unadventurous. But reading it again as an adult has given me a new perspective and I think I can safely say that this book is actually quite good.
Robin has no dreams of becoming a famous outlaw or a legendary marksman. He's just a young Saxon man trying to survive the Norman occupation of England. But when the bullying he endures from his fellow forest rangers escalates to an accidental murder, he flees into the depths of Sherwood Forest where his best friends, idealistic miller's son Much and discontented noblewoman Marian convince him that his impulsive act of rebellion could become a symbol for something much more powerful. And as more people gather in the woods, each with their own cause or hurt driving them to risk everything, it seems as though they may be right.
This book attempts a more realistic take on the Robin Hood legend than some other depictions, examining in a very subdued way how legends are built and heroes forged from the collective efforts of larger groups and of the value of symbols to a movement, as well as the ways that those of different backgrounds and talents can nonetheless contribute - cooking, carpentry, and contacts with the outside world prove to be as valuable to the outlaws as trick shooting in many cases. What my younger self interpreted as a frustrating lack of excitement and flash seems now to be more of a simple, down-to-earth approach to the story (although still peppered with the author's signature wry humor and romanticism). The result is an oddly relaxing story that nonetheless still delivered on some tense moments. Also worth noting is that this is perhaps the first book I've read by Robin McKinley where I didn't feel like the ending was rushed, and in fact the climax and denouement felt very well-paced to me.
The only major critique I have for this book is actually the main thing that bothered me as a child as well, and although the sharpness of the complaint has blunted since then, the point remains. Towards the end of the book, several of the supporting characters take increasing prominence in the narrative, to the point that by the climax, most of the story is from their perspective. While this is, I believe, deliberate, to emphasize the theme of Robin Hood being a collective symbol rather than a single man, I started to feel as though Robin (who I did quite like with his practical cynicism and reluctant soft heart) was becoming a bit player in his own story.
Nonetheless, The Outlaws of Sherwood is a really solid read for fans of Robin Hood or of historical fiction with a fairytale-esque bent. It brings little new to the table, but the comfortable prose and likable characters more than make up for it.
Robin has no dreams of becoming a famous outlaw or a legendary marksman. He's just a young Saxon man trying to survive the Norman occupation of England. But when the bullying he endures from his fellow forest rangers escalates to an accidental murder, he flees into the depths of Sherwood Forest where his best friends, idealistic miller's son Much and discontented noblewoman Marian convince him that his impulsive act of rebellion could become a symbol for something much more powerful. And as more people gather in the woods, each with their own cause or hurt driving them to risk everything, it seems as though they may be right.
This book attempts a more realistic take on the Robin Hood legend than some other depictions, examining in a very subdued way how legends are built and heroes forged from the collective efforts of larger groups and of the value of symbols to a movement, as well as the ways that those of different backgrounds and talents can nonetheless contribute - cooking, carpentry, and contacts with the outside world prove to be as valuable to the outlaws as trick shooting in many cases. What my younger self interpreted as a frustrating lack of excitement and flash seems now to be more of a simple, down-to-earth approach to the story (although still peppered with the author's signature wry humor and romanticism). The result is an oddly relaxing story that nonetheless still delivered on some tense moments. Also worth noting is that this is perhaps the first book I've read by Robin McKinley where I didn't feel like the ending was rushed, and in fact the climax and denouement felt very well-paced to me.
The only major critique I have for this book is actually the main thing that bothered me as a child as well, and although the sharpness of the complaint has blunted since then, the point remains. Towards the end of the book, several of the supporting characters take increasing prominence in the narrative, to the point that by the climax, most of the story is from their perspective. While this is, I believe, deliberate, to emphasize the theme of Robin Hood being a collective symbol rather than a single man, I started to feel as though Robin (who I did quite like with his practical cynicism and reluctant soft heart) was becoming a bit player in his own story.
Nonetheless, The Outlaws of Sherwood is a really solid read for fans of Robin Hood or of historical fiction with a fairytale-esque bent. It brings little new to the table, but the comfortable prose and likable characters more than make up for it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Colonisation, Classism, and Death
isabelmary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
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