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ipanzica's review against another edition
2.0
What a Dick!
I enjoyed the opportunity to make a dick joke then reading this entire book.
I enjoyed the opportunity to make a dick joke then reading this entire book.
ocurtsinger's review against another edition
4.0
Read it for what it is: a wickedly entertaining potboiler adventure story. It's not philosophically enlightening, nor does it revolutionize the art of the novel; it's just straight-up great storytelling from an author who perhaps knew quite well that half his readers were at the age when they would be going outside to reenact those adventures with friends. I sure wish I still had friends I could do that with...but most of us are quicker to think of the bar or a cinema as a good time than running around the woods brandishing sticks. And then there's work, artwork, and all those other obligations that take up my time...if nothing else, this book is incredibly great at transporting readers to the nostalgia of a place that fades away after age twelve.
Anyways, it's a great outlaw tale. Some of the characters could have been given more time in the limelight, but overall Stevenson does a great job of incorporating history into the plot; Richard is constantly swept up in the War of Roses, drawing us away from the main plot arc but giving us a rich illustration of England's brutal turmoil at that point. Stevenson's use of Lancastrian English may seem a little imperfect or forced at times, but unless you're an English language scholar or historian, this shouldn't bother most readers.
Anyways, it's a great outlaw tale. Some of the characters could have been given more time in the limelight, but overall Stevenson does a great job of incorporating history into the plot; Richard is constantly swept up in the War of Roses, drawing us away from the main plot arc but giving us a rich illustration of England's brutal turmoil at that point. Stevenson's use of Lancastrian English may seem a little imperfect or forced at times, but unless you're an English language scholar or historian, this shouldn't bother most readers.
megexpress's review against another edition
5.0
It always takes me a while to get back into the rhythm of Stevenson's writing style but, when I find the groove, it is smooth sailing. Stevenson' novels are always so refreshing and impeccably written that it immerses the reader completely into the plot. The Black Arrow was so addicting, and the story so action-packed and thrilling, that there was literally never a dull moment. Something was always happening in the book so the reader was never left bored waiting for the story to pick up again. I would say that it was a shame that the book was so short but I think it works for The Black Arrow. There is no need for the filler chapters which is quite different from how many authors write nowadays. The book was a good length for the story and it is a shame that it took me so long to read Stevenson's works. He has become one of my favourite authors and I cannot wait until I read another!
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022/03/09/review-1815-the-black-arrow/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022/03/09/review-1815-the-black-arrow/
lgpiper's review against another edition
4.0
I'm pretty sure my dad read this book to me while I was lying on what seemed like my death bed, during the summer before my freshman year in college. I had a serious case of mono and was flat on my back for about 6 weeks. Whatever, I have a vague recollection of having been read the book, so I wanted to give it another go.
I rather liked the book. It was entertaining and appeared to have some interesting bits of 15th-century British history intertwined.
I rather liked the book. It was entertaining and appeared to have some interesting bits of 15th-century British history intertwined.
sasha_in_a_box's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite Robert Louis Stevenson book. I have to re-read this, since I read it only in Russian translation. The original better be as good.
mizpurplest's review against another edition
4.0
A bit like Robin Hood, but not as excitingly outcast, I enjoyed this book, but parts of it annoyed me. There were some character inconsistencies that I had trouble getting past, and some of the characters were really, really flat. Also, there are many, many historical references that seemed like they just went nowhere. All in all, though, a quick, entertaining read.
dabs's review against another edition
Tutto quello che riesco a dire รจ: Dick etero quanto Shang di Mulan.
dotorsojak's review against another edition
3.0
Edition I read: Stevenson, R. L. THE BLACK ARROW: A Tale of the Two Roses. Ill. by Lionel Edwards. The Children's Illustrated Classics. London: J. M. Dent & Sons, 1957. I read this long, long ago when I was a child and knew nothing of the War of the Roses or Richard III or Middle English. Okay, granted the book is not written in Middle English, but it is written in a peculiar, archaic lingo. The characters speak in an English that never was. Here is an example:
'And ye think I would be guardian to the man's son that I had murdered?' he asked.
"Nay,' said Dick, 'pardon me if I answer churlishly; but indeed ye know right well a wardship is most profitable. All these years have ye not enjoyed my revenues, and led my men? Have ye not still my marriage? I wot not what it may be worth--it is worth something' (93).
I know I was confused by this book when I read it at age 11 or 12, and even still it is not the easiest thing to follow, especially at the beginning when there are many references to characters and to the ongoing civil wars. Still, overall I liked it. There appears to be a slight anti-war, anti-violence theme, and for sure definite digs are made against political ambition and avarice, and the suggestion is that the two are related.
The love story is pretty standard. Joan does not appear very often in the novel. She shows a bit of courage at the beginning, but she also cowers on occasion. There is also the obligatory escape scene where Dick jumps out a window, but Joan stays behind and is captured. Rather reminds me of the absurd scene in THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS where Hawkeye abandons Cora.
The novel is episodic and not tightly constructed. Characters are introduced never to reappear--or if they do reappear it is to perform some plot necessity and then exit stage left. It's not a great book, but for an adult it passes a few hours pleasantly. It's a 19th century YA book, I guess, but the vocabulary would be challenging for any 17 year old I know. 2.75 stars in fact
'And ye think I would be guardian to the man's son that I had murdered?' he asked.
"Nay,' said Dick, 'pardon me if I answer churlishly; but indeed ye know right well a wardship is most profitable. All these years have ye not enjoyed my revenues, and led my men? Have ye not still my marriage? I wot not what it may be worth--it is worth something' (93).
I know I was confused by this book when I read it at age 11 or 12, and even still it is not the easiest thing to follow, especially at the beginning when there are many references to characters and to the ongoing civil wars. Still, overall I liked it. There appears to be a slight anti-war, anti-violence theme, and for sure definite digs are made against political ambition and avarice, and the suggestion is that the two are related.
The love story is pretty standard. Joan does not appear very often in the novel. She shows a bit of courage at the beginning, but she also cowers on occasion. There is also the obligatory escape scene where Dick jumps out a window, but Joan stays behind and is captured. Rather reminds me of the absurd scene in THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS where Hawkeye abandons Cora.
The novel is episodic and not tightly constructed. Characters are introduced never to reappear--or if they do reappear it is to perform some plot necessity and then exit stage left. It's not a great book, but for an adult it passes a few hours pleasantly. It's a 19th century YA book, I guess, but the vocabulary would be challenging for any 17 year old I know. 2.75 stars in fact