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A review by tasmanian_bibliophile
Outlaw by Angus Donald
3.0
‘Everyone in our village knew Robin was coming.’
This retelling of the legend of Robin Hood is set in Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire during 1188 and 1189. The main characters are those familiar from the legends: Robin Hood, Little John, Alan Dale, Tuck, Will Scarlet and Marian (Marie-Anne). Some characters are based on historical figures, such as Sir Ralph Murdac, and Eleanor of Aquitaine also makes a brief appearance.
The story is told by Alan Dale, now an old man, looking back on his life, and opens with Alan’s narrow escape from mutilation and imprisonment at the age of thirteen. Alan, the only son of a poor widow, has eked out a meagre existence as a cutpurse and thief around Nottingham. Following his escape, he joins Robin Hood’s band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest. Here, thanks to Robin, Alan develops his musical talent, courtesy of a fugitive French trouvere (troubadour) and learns swordsmanship, courtesy of a hostage Knight Templar.
Life is not easy, not even for those under the protection of ‘the Godfather of Sherwood Forest’, and Alan witnesses just how ruthless Robin can be – especially to those who try to challenge or betray him. The novel is filled with action, much of it gory, including elements of a thriving pagan religion practising human sacrifice. It’s entertaining and escapist, and while I’m not entirely comfortable with this more brutal characterization of Robin Hood (‘meet the Godfather of Sherwood Forest’), I can accept it.
‘Outlaw’ is the first novel in a planned five part series called ‘The Outlaw Chronicles’ about Robin Hood and his band of outlaws. I read the second novel first, and am now looking forward to the third.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
This retelling of the legend of Robin Hood is set in Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire during 1188 and 1189. The main characters are those familiar from the legends: Robin Hood, Little John, Alan Dale, Tuck, Will Scarlet and Marian (Marie-Anne). Some characters are based on historical figures, such as Sir Ralph Murdac, and Eleanor of Aquitaine also makes a brief appearance.
The story is told by Alan Dale, now an old man, looking back on his life, and opens with Alan’s narrow escape from mutilation and imprisonment at the age of thirteen. Alan, the only son of a poor widow, has eked out a meagre existence as a cutpurse and thief around Nottingham. Following his escape, he joins Robin Hood’s band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest. Here, thanks to Robin, Alan develops his musical talent, courtesy of a fugitive French trouvere (troubadour) and learns swordsmanship, courtesy of a hostage Knight Templar.
Life is not easy, not even for those under the protection of ‘the Godfather of Sherwood Forest’, and Alan witnesses just how ruthless Robin can be – especially to those who try to challenge or betray him. The novel is filled with action, much of it gory, including elements of a thriving pagan religion practising human sacrifice. It’s entertaining and escapist, and while I’m not entirely comfortable with this more brutal characterization of Robin Hood (‘meet the Godfather of Sherwood Forest’), I can accept it.
‘Outlaw’ is the first novel in a planned five part series called ‘The Outlaw Chronicles’ about Robin Hood and his band of outlaws. I read the second novel first, and am now looking forward to the third.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith