Robin Hood Books

it is mostly the same boring thing over and over again. I really can't even read it without my mind wondering off.

I've searched far and wide for a good novel written on the story of Robin Hood and finally found it in Maid Marian! This novel has it all! Romance, adventure--everything a story needs. I fell in love with the writing and the voice of the story, told through the eyes of Marian. The characters were beautifully developed, (especially Robin--what a man!)and I couldn't ask for a better book on the adverntures of Robin Hood. He's such a classic hero of fictional history, and this novel ties it all together in one delicious tale! Highly recommended!

Orphaned and married off at the age of 5, Marian Fitzwater is awakened during the night of her 15th birthday, the day of which she was to move to her husband's castle, to be told that he has just died.

As an unmarried woman with land attached to her name, she is now not only a very desirable catch, but now a pawn in the Queen of England's strategic chess game to supposedly turn all of England to her son, King Richard's favor. The catch is, Marian has no intentions of being married off to the highest bidder.

By seeking out the notorious Robbin Hood of Sherwood Forest to aid her, Marian finds out that she is to be wed to the younger brother of her now late husband, a child several years her junior. However, it is not the man she's worried about, but his power-hungry mother whom she noticed at her first husband's funeral had surprisingly dry eyes...especially considering the mysterious circumstances as to how he died...

Marian pleads to Robbin Hood to help her escape this dreadful marriage contract and save not only herself, but her lands from being snatched up and destroyed.

For as good as it sounded, this book was not all it's cracked up to be. I found the writing style to be tedious at times, and even though I wanted to get to the end of the book to find out what happened, I sort of already knew. The plot was predictable and at times, tiresome. I found it to be a very large "fluff" read, fun but not much substance behind it.

The book is told in first person from Marian's POV, and therefore we get to know surprisingly little about the other characters. Though it was refreshing to hear the story of Robbin Hood from an alternative point of view, it wasn't exceptionally engaging and made me roll my eyes a little at times. It makes me feel like this should have been a kid's book. All you had to do would be to take out the "we made love" sentence and it would have been. Young adults might like it, but adults will get bored quickly.

3 stars.

I enjoyed the wordsmithing as much if not more than the story of this enjoyable book. Maid Marian is a good story it moves a little slow but that didn't bother me. It kept my interest the entire time and like I wrote above the wording was so beautiful that I found myself speaking better while reading it. This book also makes a good book club choice. Happy reading.

For as long as I can remember I have always been a fan of Robin Hood legend. Movies and books alike have told various versions that I have soaked up and loved. Earlier this year I found the best ever with the first two installations of Stephen Lawhead's triology Hood and Scarlet. Those two books being from the perspective of, of course, Robin Hood (Bran) and Will Scarlet. This book fits right in!! I know that Elsa Watson is her own author and nothing to do with the former, but really this tale fits well into the mix. Here you have a version of the historic bard tale written in a way never read before. Of course the setting is different, so don't get me wrong, but what I mean is the perspective.

This book is the retelling from Marian's point of view. Through Elsa's words she is as real as can be. Marian is finally real with thoughts, opinions, dreams, and fears. She brings to you through her inner-most thoughts her life from birth to future and you cannot help but feel with her. Anger and love, pain and joy. It is all there and well shared.

Frankly, this book is fabulous and I could barely put it down. I hate that it was a library book, because I don't want to give it back. I guess I will just have to go and buy it myself now. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and will dream of it for nights to come.

Jump in and explore the adventure and tales of a realistic Maid Marian from a juvenile to a young mistress. Learn the power of a woman in charge from both evil and good. It's just wonderful.

The first Scott book I've read so far is Ivanhoe. Now at first I found Rob Roy very slow and almost put it down half way through, the Scottish dialect is very heavy and you got tired of constantly looking in glossary to look up what they mean. Add to that many Scotch proverbs thrown in the text, which make absolutely no sense even after you decipher them with the glossary, but of course there is a separate glossary of familiar Scotch proverbs and sayings in the back if you are reading the Modern Library Classics edition. What I found helpful since there were many Scotch words not included in the book's glossary was a site dictionary.com. It has almost all the Scotch words, including Gaelic and Latin, making reading this book possible.

Scott's style is also very slow, written in a time 200 years ago when readers had more patience. I still have a 100 more pages to go as of writing this review, and it took me a month to get through what I have so far. The good about this book: Scott's depth of knowledge about the English culture and customs from the main character, Francis's point of view intrigued me. Scott's description of the landscape is beautifully done, including the Highlands, towns, characters and insides of places like inns and churchs. I've also gained a new appreciation just how different the culture of the Highlanders was from the Lowlanders at that time, and from the English too. If you can get over the initial hurdle of the books slow pace at first when Scott establishes the setting and have patience with the Scotch dialogue I think it is rewarding and fufilling.

Rob Roy by Sir Walter Scott is a grand adventure story by the master of the historical novel. The reader is well advised to do two things before starting this book. The first is to spend some time learning about the history of England and Scotland at the time of the novel, specifically the period around the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. An hour or so on Google should do the trick. The second is to get a dictionary of Scottish words from that period since much of the dialogue is in that language. For example, "I wasna likely to gi'e up that for a guinea, I trow." And " He's no a'thegether sae void o' sense neither; he has a gloaming sight o' what's reasonable." Or try this one "Mattie had ill-will to see me set awa on this ride, and grat awee, the sillie tawpie; but it's nae mair ferlie to see a woman greet than to see a goose gang barefit." At least learn the meaning of such words as "bailie" and "muckle." Here again the Internet is a valuable aid.

The book gives a clear and sympathetic view of life in England and Scotland in the period around 1715. It illustrates the anger and bitterness caused by religious and political differences and the difficulty people from different cultural backgrounds have in getting along with each other.

The title of the book is something of a misnomer since the title character is not the main protagonist. The story centers around Francis (Frank) Osbaldistone, a young Englishman. Francis' father, William, is a wealthy London merchant who wants his son to follow him in the business. But Francis has other thoughts and his hard-nosed father sends him away to the North of England to his former residence where his brother now lives with his six sons. The idea is that one of these worthies will take Francis' place in the business.

On the journey there he meets two characters that figure heavily in the story. The first is Morris, an agent of some sort who is carrying a mysterious bag. The second is a mysterious stranger who later turns out to be Rob Roy. Morris claims he was robbed and accuses Francis of the crime, but he is vindicated, largely on the say so of Rob Roy who shows up at the right moment throughout the book.


When Francis first arrives at his uncle's manor he meets a beautiful and spirited young woman, Diana Vernon. Of course he falls in love with her in spite of the many obstacles that such a match would entail. It soon becomes clear that five of the six sons are neer-do-wells more given to carousing than business. The sixth son, the youngest, is well educated and the choice for the job, but is the villain of the piece. Rashleigh Osbaldistone is a Machiavellian character with designs on both Diana and fame and fortune. He goes to London to work in the firm but quickly absconds with important documents that would be the ruin of the firm if they are not returned. Becoming appraised of the situation Francis sets out for Scotland to find Rashleigh and recover the documents.

The story really takes off when Francis, accompanied by a Scottish gardener from the Osbaldistone homestead Andrew Fairservice, reach Glasgow. Francis soon learns that the firm his father has been dealing with is corrupt and makes the acquaintance of another business associate of this father, Baile Jarvie who agrees to help Frank recover the stolen documents. The trio, Francis, Jarvie and Fairservice (whom Francis has now hired as his servant) set out for the highlands. When they get there they have a variety of adventures including involvement in skirmishes between the British military and the locals. Fairservice is a character who provides much humor with his greed, arrogance, cowardice and other negative qualities. Francis puts up with him despite these machinations.

All of these adventures portray Rob Roy and his cause in a favorable light. Scott writes beautifully of the land and the devotion of the people to live in their own fashion apart from the values of England. In this sense the book has significant meaning for our own times where people want to live free from what they see as oppressive governments. The situation in Tibet as I write this review is an example.

I give it a rating of five stars because of the quality of the writing, the insights it provides into life in those times and its meaning for the present.

"Rob Roy" by Sir Walter Scott, edited by Edgar Johnson, © 1956

A very funny book. You do not come across Rob Roy until the middle of the story, and then it is sort of happenstance and conjecture that you understand it is him. He is the hero of this story, but it is really the story of another fellow, Francis (Frank) Osbaldistone, and his learning what is important in life. At 22 or 24 years of age, his father wants him to become a part of his business. Francis wants to read and write poetry, or some such easy life. He is sent packing by his father to his Uncle up north, where Francis meets the love of his life, Diane Vernon. Rob Roy (you are not introduced to him as such, just Mr Campbell) is an impressive lodger at an inn on Francis' way. He appears again to extricate Francis from some sordid legal hassle. Etc., etc.
In the end, Francis, and you are too, is surprised that Rob Roy dies in his bed of old age. Roy may be short for Royal (Robert Royal Campbell McGregor) or Scotch for red, the color of his hair. I was surprised that it was so readable. Some of Dicken's or Defoe's literature is very nearly unreadable, or should be read only by insomniacs, and this is not of that genre.

Rob Roy isn't my favorite Scott. I suspect he planned a different novel and it didn't go the way intended. This is fine, if you've enjoyed Waverley, Ivanhoe, even The Fortunes of Nigel. That's the time to pick this one up. Don't judge Scott, who can be funny, romantic and witty, by this rather sluggish tale which is light on Rob Roy. If you want to enjoy a good Rob Roy story, watch the movie. By far and away the best Tartan-ripper of recent times and historically a lot more accurate than Braveheart.

I have derived many hours of pleasure from this author. My favorite is Ivanhoe. I wouldn't recommend this one, though. It is boring and confusing.

Welcome to Sherwood Forest, children.


Much as he did in his other books, Green has put together a version of the Robin Hood legend to make it a somewhat coherent or cohesive set of tales for the younger reader with some flow.

Definitely recommended.

This is the first Robin Hood book I've read, so I'm not sure how to compare it to others. It is a very well written compilation of many Robin Hood tales/ballads (some directly quoted at the beginning of each chapter). Robin's character, the wily fox, the quick-witted, is perfect. His banter and trickster tales and the highlight of the book. Marian is strong and capable and very different from the modern adaptations of her. The only thing lacking is drama or character depth that would come more from a novel-form rather than folk/oral retelling. Still, great introduction for into the folktale. Grade: B+

Robin Hood and his marry men go on adventures. They take on challenges of most arrows hitting the target. While he's fighting a foe he makes friends with him and the foe goes on his merry men. There was a police officer trying to capture Robin but he couldn't ever get Robin and his marry men.

I would recommend this book to age of 8-10 year olds because it's a fairytale and it's an easy read through the book. The best part of the book was Robin is one of the best archer's in the world. He faces one of the other best archers in the world and it's a close win.

I think people should read this book because if someone likes adventures, old times, and archers, they should read Robin Hood.

The Adventures of Robin Hood is one of the most exciting books I have ever read. It is full of action and a great novel. It takes place when King Richard the Lion Heart was fighting in the crusades. Robin Hood is stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. It is filled with fighting with swords, bows and more. I believe the author wrote this to share a great leader is the best leader. It is a Puffin Classic by Roger Lancelyn Green. I liked this book because Robin Hood is great to his people and is always protecting them from the sheriff of Nottingham. Read this book of Robin's daring adventures with his followers living in the wild to see some of the great adventures he takes on against evil.

This popular version of the tale of highwayman Robin Hood is artfully written, and can be easily appreciated by adults as well as youngsters. The text is colorfully rendered, and the story is as fresh as when the first odes celebrating this infamous character were penned. Of the many versions I have read, Roger Lancelyn Green's remains my favorite. Apparently, many others must think so; this edition has been in print since 1956. However, the absolute icing on the cake in owning this edition are the exqusite illustrations by noted illustrator Walter Crane. The endpapers featuring silhouettes by E.H. Shepard are also charming. Whether you buy this book for the wonderful text, the fine illustrations, or the fact that it retains its antique look, you will not be disappointed.

About the only thing that saved this book was the fact it was about Robin Hood. This book is a sequal to a previous novel, which was very good. In this one, Robin Hood and Maid Marian are living together on Marian's estates, which I didn't buy into at all. In that era, I don't think they would be living together out of wedlock as they are in the book.

What I enjoyed the most about this book was the unease and otherwise unrest surrounding the succession of John as King of England.

Once again, Jennifer Roberson has captured my heart with her book. I thought 'Lady of the Forest' was wonderful, and this is the best sequel I have ever read. You laugh, you cry, you hate, you love.. To put it simply: 'This book rocks!' :D

The Prologue was very fun to read. The rest of the novel was in varying degrees, sometimes good, sometimes slow, sometimes bad bad bad. Also, this is a sequel to an earlier novel and to my mind it failed in introducing the characters to someone who hadn't read the first one. I don't know if she did a better job in that novel but, although I recognized them from the legends, I didn't really get a clear picture of any of them, except for the minstrel Alan who had a very well defined character. Will seemed like a caricature.

If you don't have anything to read and this is there or if you are in love with the Robin Hood myth, then sure, go for it. But I wouldn't go out of my way.

First off, WTH is the publisher thinking re-releasing this book with a cover like this? Any sex that happens in this book is left wholly to the reader's imagination - this is not a mindless bodice ripping romance. This book opens five years after the close of Lady Of The Forest and Robin is still estranged from his father and living with Marian at Ravenswood (that's a bit of a stretch, openly living in sin in the 13C). Richard The Lion Heart is wounded and dying and the evil Prince John prepares to take the throne, the always over the top evil Sheriff of Nottingham is thrilled as now Richard once Richard is dead he can prosecute Robin and his not-so-merry band of men.

I have to admit this book just didn't sing for me, nor was the story enough to keep me enthralled. If you loved LOTF and are dying to read the rest of the story, you might enjoy this, but not as a stand alone book. Not great, but not bad either. Three stars

Lady of Sherwood continues, and finishes, the drama set in motion by Lady of the Forest. Robin, the rebellious son of the Earl of Huntington, lives with Marian in her estate. With them are the Merrie Enough Men, making ends meet, unmolested under the pardon of King Richard. It is upon King Richard's death that the trouble begins, not only for Robin and Marian's new life, but for the rest of England as well under the impeding rule of the detested Prince John.

Marian comes off stronger than ever as a character in this male-oriented power struggle, contributing far more than what a woman in the medeival ages is expected to impart, yet without overstepping the realism that is so well-embedded in this book.

This book is immersed much deeper in intrigue, and Marian's naivette in the first book had been completely irradicated in this installment. All the major players in this book push their characters to the extreme; Robin broods even more, the Earl of Huntington is more ruthless; the Sherrif of Nottingham more despicable... etc.

While I would have given this book a rating of 5, I could not help but compare it to the first book which, to me, holds more purpose in the context of why the story was told. In the first book, it was shown how Marian came to being as a woman and the lover of a famous outlaw amidst a brewing political struggle. In this book, Marian is made even tougher as the political struggles become more pronounced. It's like "Lady of the Forest: Extra Strength."

However, I would still recommend this book to satisfy the craving "Lady of the Forest" sowed in its readers. It's a fine read, well-constructed and well-developed.

I'm a bit torn on this one...one the one hand I really got a kick out of this sweet little adventure, on the other, it's a bit over-simple and predictable. With Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest we are introduced to 13 year old Rosemary (who later changes her name to Rowan) who lives with her mother (a "woodwife" - herbal healer and considered by some to be a witch) alone in the woods. Her world is torn asunder when the local Lord's men show up one day and burn down their little cottage in the wood...and her mother along with it. She wisely weighs her options and decides she'd prefer to seek out her outlaw father Robin Hood. So, she sets out disguised as a boy and along the way becomes enmeshed in her own adventure complete with a half wolf, half dog companion (who can catch arrows in mid-flight); gentle giant (and fantastically talented minstrel); a runaway princess; and of course Robin Hood and his men.

I liked the twist that the author came up with to explain who Robin Hood could so easily (and for so long) fool the Sheriff of Nottingham, it was cute, a little humorous, and I think appropriate. I'll be perfectly honest, I liked this book very much, except where I didn't...what I mean is that I (like many others) have a love of all things Robin Hood. So in that light, how could I not want to read this book AND how could I not fall in love with it? At the same time, this book is has fairly shallow characterization, the plot is pretty simple and easy to figure out, and it is almost TOO easy...BUT this isn't an adult book, it's a children's book, so this is forgivable. As an adult reading this, I can't help but think that there is a serious romanticizing of Robin and his men...that there would definitely be danger for young girls (or women in general) in the woods, this book paints Robin (and his men by association) as total gentlemen. Given the age range listed (9-12), the author probably could introduce some of the dangers that women faced (beyond what she did).

In the end, I gave this book 4 stars - it's a very cute, easy to like (and easy to read) book with an interesting and enjoyable twist on Robin Hood tales, complete with heroes, villains, fairy tale touches, and just a little magic. I think the word charming best describes Rowan Hood, it's one of those stories that is a little too perfect, but it leaves you smiling anyway.

When I read Rowan Hood, I was amazed by the emotional, detailed, and utterly unforgettable story. It's one of the most emotional books I've ever read. I enjoy the book because it's not like any other book I have ever read; it's hilarious, engaging, and filled with adventure. The characters were well developed, the plot was a page turner, and the setting was richly detailed. I would definitely recommend this book for anybody who enjoys fantasy style novels. Don't forget to check out the other books in this series, "Rowan Hood," "Lionclaw," "Outlaw Princess of Sherwood Forest," "Wild Boy," and "Rowan Hood Returns."

This story is completely messed up. If anyone read the real Robin Hood book, they would know that Robin dies at the end of it. So, Rowan Hood obviously couldn't have been born, and even if she was born, she would be looking for her dead father.

It's about a girl who lose her mother and tries to find her father. She goes in to the woods to find the outlaws which her dads with. she sleep in the woods and a half wolf/dog which she becomes a friend with the wolf/dog. It was a action paked book.

(...)I liked this story. I thought it was a really, really good book but not perfect. The only thing that kept it from being the best was that the author gave away too much too soon sometimes.

Rowan Hood is about a girl whose house is burned down by a bad person (I'm not going to tell you who though since I don't want to spoil the story). The bad person goes on to capture and kill her mother leaving Rowan with only a father who she has never met and who lives out in the woods. Rowan is forced to use her toy bow and arrow to hunt for food to survive but eventually her skills get better and so do her weapons.

My favorite character was Guy of Gisborn. He is a bad guy who hunts outlaws but he does a lot of exciting things that make the book more adventurous.

I liked this book because there is a lot of adventure and surprises along the way. I would recommend you buy this book if you are into books that are set in the time of knights and archers. I think both kids and grownups will like this book.

If you like this book, I think you will also like The Dragon Slayer's Academy series and the Deltora Quest series.

I hope you like this book as much as I did.

I will make this short and succinct. It has been awhile since I read this but I distinctly remember thinking that it was the best Robin Hood tale that I had either seen or read. I would highly recommend that anyone even remotely interested in the Robin Hood legend should read this book. Errol Flynn's portrayal pales by comparison!

Happy Reading!

I'm a self admitted Robin Hood fan. For some reason I love everything to do with this legend and Delve into every aspect of it when I find a new story.
This is my favorite fictional version of the legend so far. The characters have very distinct personalities, taking the well known characters in new directions, and the background is very believable. You really feel you are there. Despite bad reviews saying it wasn't "accurate" enough, I say: "It's a STORY!", and a good story at that. Accuracy is not a focus point in fiction, and even with the changes Park Godwin has made to the timeline, the world itself is very accurate.
Overall my favorite character in the story has to be Marion though. Far from the sterotype of damsel in distress that she so often gets shoved into, in this version, she's very self reliant and strong. In the sequel, she even gets to chase off some Normans on her own. Have to love that.

Parke Godwin is one of our finest writers of historical fiction, and "Sherwood" is one of the two books which firmly cements that reputation (the other being the masterful "Firelord"). This retelling of the Robin Hood legend is a smashing success on virtually every level.

Forget Errol Flynn, green tights, and "Good" King Richard. Godwin, with his characteristically thorough knowledge of historical setting, places his story at the advent of the Norman Conquest, almost a hundred years earlier. The wealth of historical detail provides both form and distinctive flavor to the tale; from the contents of a wayfarer's wallet to Saxon battle tactics, you are there! This works to great effect, and raises both the situational and emotional stakes of the book tremendously; indeed, William the Conqueror and Queen Matilda are characters of considerable importance, and by the end the reader will know them as well as any of the heroes. Godwin's Robin is no laughing adventurer; he is a pragmatic man who believes in simple justice, who is driven to become a hero by his need to protect his people and his refusal to accept laws and edicts "that ent right". Marian, far from a fluttering noblewoman, is strong, competent, loyal, and brave. The words 'loyal' and 'brave' also apply to Robin's nemesis Ralf Fitz-Gerald, the Sheriff of Nottingham, and this is one of the book's most fascinating (and satisfying!) aspects. We watch Ralf's story unfold right along with Robin's, and I found myself developing a real sympathy with this good man who does bad things. Not wishing to spoil the story, I will say no more about plot or characters, except to mention that Godwin's slightly unorthodox takes on other familiar names - Little John, Will Scarlet, Much, Friar Tuck, Alan-a-Dale - are no less riveting than his principals.

This is a perfect blend of historical accuracy and high adventure. Godwin's characters are real people, caught up in extraordinary circumstances and set on paths they never dreamed of. Along the way, there's courage, betrayal, blood, pain, romance, and glory. Read this book, and savor it. The Robin Hood legend might have really started this way; and if it didn't, it should have!

This is a decent try at a gritty, morally complex work of historical fiction. Godwin has done his research; that he invents Saxon resistance in a specific place seems inconsequential to me, given that we don't know *everything* that went on during the period. He makes at least an attempt to portray mentality, which puts him ahead of most medieval historical fiction writers.

There are some issues, though. Godwin's writing, especially in the early part of the book, is often grammatically vague. His fight and action scenes are insufficiently structured, thus confusing. His constant identification of the Saxons with the land conveniently ignores the fact that the Saxons themselves came as invaders. The text sometimes tries too hard to be meaningful.

Characterization overall is competent. I found Robin, in his more ignorant, loudmouthed, horse-eating moments, annoying, and tended to prefer Ralf.

This is a reasonable book, I'd say, but no masterpiece.

This book has a lot of ups and downs. From the start, it is clear that the author has done a huge amount of research on the time period (the Norman invasion of England in 1066), which helps most of the time to lend a real air to the story. Unfortunately, this occassionaly got a bit awkward when I as a reader wasn't as familiar with the history and lost track of what was going on.

The first hundred-odd pages of the book are very difficult to get through, switching once in a while briefly to a first person segment so you could see inside a characters head, or sometimes covering a few years in a few pages, so it feels like you are reading a history textbook.

Once you get past those first hundred pages, though, things really get going. Unfortunately, most of the characters aren't as real as the rich setting they were placed in. The most sympathetic character, Little John, is the one whome we see the least, Ralf, the bad-guy, seems like the good guy, and Robin is just running around making spontaneous random decisions. Other than those and Father Beorn, the characters are pretty if not dull, at least static and predictable.

In this regard, the book is somewhat like a Tom Clancy book. The author has the characters in there as a necessity, but he loses sight of them somewhat in favor of the story, the action, the big picture. The reader really gets a feel for what's going on all across the country all the time, the overall motivations if not for individuals then for the decisions of an entire population, and a feel for how life was lived in eleventh century England.

The reason I didn't give this book a three was that it kept me interested and informed. After getting through those first hundred pages, the book really doesn't want to be put down. If you enjoy history, I recommend this one, but if you're in it for the swords and sworcery, I'd skip it over.

A Review by Steffi

In a Dark Wood is a version of the story of Robin Hood. Only this interpretation has a twist; it¹s in the Sheriff of Nottingham¹s perspective. In this book you get to know more about the sheriff's (known as Geoffrey) story and what conflicts he faces. He is portrayed as a cold man not wanting to feel emotion, but the reader learns that he has a hidden heart, rarely exposed. A particular example of this is he can¹t express how he looks upon his squire, Hugh, as a son. Also in this book you see the impossible attempts Geoffrey makes to catch Robin Hood, who never fails to outwit the sheriff. It is the classic chase of Robin Hood, only through the sheriff's eyes.

One thing I liked about this book is its interesting approach to the tale of Robin Hood. Who would have thought to take a look in the ³bad guy¹s² point of view. It makes you realize that just because someone is cold doesn¹t mean they don¹t have feelings. In Geoffrey¹s case, his job forces him to do cruel things, such as punishing people who can¹t pay their taxes. Another thing I liked about this book is the poetic words and phrasing Cadnum used. Similes such as ³like a petal floating on dark water² were used throughout the whole book, which made it a really beautiful thing to read. One thing I didn¹t like, however, was the lack of Robin Hood. He obviously played a big part in the plot, but it wasn¹t enough for me, being a Robin Hood fan. Maybe if Cadnum would have done both perspectives of Geoffrey and Robin I would have enjoyed it more. I would have also loved to know more about Robin and Maid Marian¹s romance because that is an aspect of the Robin Hood story that really appeals to me. There was no mentioning this love in this book.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the tale of Robin Hood. It really is an interesting story to read, like a hidden background to the original story. This interesting and poetic adaptation is surely worthwhile for anyone to read.

The YA imprint and miniscule dimensions of this book give it the appearance of being lightweight, but that would be a mistaken impression. It is adult, if not graphically so, and although it is short, it is packed with complexity of texture and character development.

I was afraid, upon approaching this book, that it would be no more complicated than a simple reversal of the Robin Hood legend; that the entire thrust of the book would be to prove that the sheriff was not so bad after all, a sort of politically correct effort to prove that "I'm OK, You're OK". In actual fact, while the sheriff is a sympathetic character by virtue of being the main character, he is a complex man, and the Robin Hood legend is merely a vehicle in order to explore that complexity. He is degenerate, yet in his degeneracy he is struggling to find meaning and purpose in his life. Although he is physically courageous, Geoffrey is uncomfortable in the wild wood, and is most at home within the walls of his keep.

Robin Hood and his outlaws are made of darker stuff than in other versions of the legends: they are mutilated, wretched, desperate. Yet for this very reason, Robin Hood's spirit shines even brighter through the grime. Rather than being a character of equal complexity to the sheriff, he is symbolic of all that the sheriff fears: everything that is wild, unpredictable, beyond his control. The dark wood is the darkness within Geoffrey himself, and by braving its depths he makes unexpected discoveries that change his life.

The prose is rich in metaphor and the medieval setting beautifully rendered. Cadnum most conspicuously draws on Chaucer to bring the setting to life, but at the same time makes it his own. The characters are each in their own way vivid and realistic, in particular Hugh and the Geoffrey's wife. This book is probably not as popular as other Robin Hood retellings because it does not glitter with heroism and pageantry, but it is by far more complex and adult than most retellings, which more than compensates for its superifical lack of lustre.

Now I know why all the books are about Robin Hood, instead of the Sheriff of Nottingham.

To be honest, I was disappointed in this book. The two things I liked best about it were the title and the original idea: the Robin Hood legend from the Sheriff of Nottingham's view point. It sounded so very promising. But the plot turned out to be very thin.

The characterisation and the descriptions were very good, however, hence the two stars instead of one. The author very vividly paints his characters and their grim medieval lives (in the sheriff's case I would even say `depressing').

Geoffrey, the Sheriff of Nottingham, is a womaniser and loves beautiful clothes. He broods a lot about several things among which his profession. Because he loves being an administrator, especially the accountant's side of it, but hates to fight. If it wasn't for his preference for torture, he could even be called likeable. He is trapped in a loveless marriage to an adulterous wife with a sharp tongue, who may have become like this due to his playing the field with servant women and an abbess. Hugh, Geoffrey's squire, is a sympathetic young boy, who longs desperately for a word of praise from his lord. They are like a son and father, with - like so many others - a problem with communicating their affection. This is the plot of the first hundred pages. Oh, I'm sorry I forgot to mention one small event: a messenger from the king arrives, telling Geoffrey that the king demands the capture of a certain highwayman, not a ruthless killer, but a prankster who raises toll and calls himself Robin Hood.

Reluctantly, Geoffrey takes up this task. After his steward has reported the failure of a few attempts, (and we are halfway through the book now) Geoffrey organises an archery contest to lure this Robin Hood into a trap. The contest, however, is won by Thurstin, the miller's son, a boor with whom Hugh is on bad terms.

Now, things seem to get moving, at last. We have come to some of the well-known Robin Hood stories like Robin disguised as a potter, dining with the sheriff and his wife, (and taking the opportunity to beat Thurstin at a game of archery, after all), Robin treating the sheriff on a Sherwood feast. But really the most (and only) exciting part is when poor, misguided Hugh is taken captive by Robin's gang (page 209). As the sheriff and the reader fear, Hugh's life may be in danger, because he is set upon killing Robin, and although Robin would certainly not harm him, his men might.

As I said, the characters are believable. I liked the sheriff's wife and I liked Hugh. As for the sheriff himself, I really felt sorry for him at times, but that's where it ends basically. He just isn't the most interesting of characters. So very unlike, for instance, the Sheriff of Nottingham, as presented by Parke Godwin in his splendid novel "Sherwood" and its sequel "Robin and the King". Now, there is a sheriff I like. Although he is not the main character of these books, he is strong, attractive, and at times even sympathetic (except when he is upholding the harsh Norman law). Actually, he ends up as Robin's opponent only because Robin `chooses' a life outside the law. Well, maybe the fact that they love the same woman has something to do with it, as well. But that, of course, is another book...

This rich and complex story tells the story of Robin Hood, from the viewpoint of Geoffrey, the Sheriff of Nottingham. Geoffrey himself is a complex man. He is a product of his time, taught to reverence God and yet use horrifying violence when necessary. But he feels himself torn; he cannot measure up to the level of purity that his religion demands, and too softhearted to mete out the cruelty that his duty requires. And when that laughing rogue, Robin Hood, wanders into his jurisdiction, Geoffrey finds the thick and comfortable shell that he has built around himself begin to crack.

This story is entertaining in a very sophisticated way. The world that the author builds is believable and quite fascinating. I enjoyed that the author made believable characters that seem to have hoped right out of history, rather than modern Americans walking around in medieval England. I also enjoyed watching the characters evolve and change (often painfully) as their world changed around them. Though marked as a teen book, I highly recommend it to readers old and young alike!

A somewhat philosophical novel giving the sheriff's viewpoint of Robin Hood. It gives a realistic picture of the era, when torture was routine and common people could be abused with little recourse (the Magna Carta dealt with nobels' rights).

King John orders the sheriff to deal with Robin Hood, whom the sheriff had been ignoring as a petty nuisance. The sheriff has other problems closer to home than the king's highway, including his personal love life, wandering pigs, local thieves, and tax collections. The sheriff's encounter with Robin Hood causes him to get religion. There is no Maid Marian in this novel - in fact Robin Hood's band tends to be unattractive, grubby social outcasts.

The novel digresses into detailed descriptions of torture. That type of sidelight gives the novel, at best, a PG-13 rating.

I read the book Robin Hood. I do not recomend this book highly because I don't think it has enough action for a good plot. It does not backtrack that much so you don't really know whats going on that much. It is also hard to understand how everything works out in the end.

Steal from the rich and give to the needy. This is the fraise of the notorious Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest. He is a hero to the poor and a menace to the rich. All knows him throughout Sherwood Forest. Him and his crew of marry men live by their own principles.
This is a good book. I would recommend it to any one who likes adventure. It tells many stories about how Robin and his crew came to be. It also tells about some of the deeds they do. This book has some interesting parts.
I think this was a good book because I have always liked Robin Hood. The characters in the book seem real because of the detail. This is a very old bt is interesting. This book has some good and bad parts to it. Over all I liked it better than most other books I have read.

I read the book Robin Hood Of Sherwood Forest. The book was written by Ann McGovern. I really loved this book. It is the second time I have read a Robin Hood book.
What happened in this story was Robin Hood, and his merry men did what they normally did, take from the rich give to the poor. The sheriff of Nottingham tried to catch Robin Hood at an archery contest but he captured Will. So simultaneously 40 of Robin's men took out bows and started to fire at the captors. At the Kings archery contest, robin and Little John won first and second place. One day a monk came into the forest. He did not state his name. However, latter he said he was King Richard!!!
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Robin Hood. Because it is all of the legend but it has its own little twist and turns.

Robin Hood is one of the books I enjoyed reading. It has action, and adventure and a few historical facts. Robin Hood takes place a long time ago, probably in the middle ages. Robin Hood is the main character. He is handsome, brave and he has a bood heart and he steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Robin Hood has a little romance. For example when Robin says "I will win the archer competition and take the gold arrow and give it to the princess to be mine!" I would recommend this book to people who like action and adventure.

Robin Hood is one of the books I enjoyed reading. It has action, and adventure and a few historical facts. Robin Hood takes place a long time ago, probably in the middle ages. Robin Hood is the main character. He is handsome, brave and he has a bood heart and he steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Robin Hood has a little romance. For example when Robin says "I will win the archer competition and take the gold arrow and give it to the princess to be mine!" I would recommend this book to people who like action and adventure.

If you ever wonder if you can make a difference, this book will clear up any doubts. Collins, Rogers and Garner make it crystal clear that anyone who cares about curing society's ills can make a significant difference by giving what they can for social change. Packed with resources, examples, and how-to charts and guides, Robin Hood Was Right charts a clear path from wondering if you can make a difference to improving things from your neighborhood to countries on the other side of the globe. In a time where "donor fatigue" is cited as the reason why people grow increasingly indifferent to social injustice, less and less concerned with the state of the environment, and more hard-hearted about the homeless, Robin Hood has the cure to what ails you -- and our world.

Anyone concerned with social change and economic justice should run, not walk to the nearest neighborhood bookstore and grab a copy of Robin Hood Was Right. It is a highly readable, wonderfully informative, essential guide to gaining a deeper understanding of how money affects all our lives, and the practical steps we can take to avoid the pitfalls of the unexamined life. Regardless of your class or wealth status, this book will change the way you view your role in the world in relation to money and the power it provides and witholds.

The story of Robin Hood is not one of stealing from the rich to give to the poor. It is a story of too much taxes and Robin Hood returning the taxes to those that were bled dry. Not only does Collins rely on an incorrect myth of Robin Hood, but he latches on to myths about solutions for poverty. Studies have shown that minimum wage does not help the poor. In fact, one study (whose author would agree with Collin's premise) called minimum wage "perverse" in the fact that it took from one group of poor (those that became unemployed because of minimum wage) and gave to another group of poor (those that got a small raise because of minimum wage).

A better book on effective ways of helping the poor can be found in some of the chapters of "Healing Our World" by Dr. Mary J. Ruwart.

Good intentioned book on the importance of giving money for social change. But the book left me short by not addressing the authors' own observation that "uncertainty about the impact of your gifts" can cause the most philanthropic among us to balk at giving. Book would have been so much more helpful if the authors had spent more time on how a reader can intelligently evaluate the foundations they profile in the book. We get a glimpse of what the book could have been in appendix H where the authors tell us that nonprofits with budgets of more than $250,000 have to have annual audits that are made publicly available. That's the kind of information that's really helpful...and a few words or paragraphs or even a chapter on how to read these audit statements to make sense of the health and intentions of the organizations would have been terrific.

"Robin Hood Was Right" is an entertaining and intelligent guide to contributing to social change. Instead of replying to the nightly phone solicitations or the direct mail appeals, the reader can take control of the contribution process to focus on the values and outcomes desired.

I especially enjoyed the cartoons and sidebars. The text is thoughtful and each appendix offers an array of legitimate organizations. I recommend this book to anyone, who like me, wants to be sure that giving will make a difference. That the book is also a good read is just a free bonus.

While not very historical, this story has a lot of verve. Lots of gore and grue - and some very realistic children. Good plotting, and a very nice interplay between magic and ordinary life.

Come to Sherwood. But beware! Not only may your purse be lightened by outlaws, but the animals too may threaten your life. This is an absolutely wonderful tale of Robin Hood, a book for the general reader as well as the serious Robin Hood scholar. In Emery's novel we are privy to the thoughts of the animals of Sherwood as well as the Merry Men (and Women). The battle scenes are particularly violent (after all, it is set in the Middle Ages) and there is a dose of fairy magic for the fantastically inclined reader. But most of all, this Robin Hood has all the swashbuckling zest of an Errol Flynn movie. The "swinging from the trees" episode is particularly funny. This is the best new Robin Hood tale to be published in quite some time.

_Robin Hood and the Beasts of Sherwood_ is a delightful romp and adventure in still-ancient Sherwood Forest. Emery has woven together many elements, not just from the early Robin Hood tales and their later variants, but also elements of magic and a wonderful rendering of the forest creatures' worlds from their perspectives. There are also stories within stories of Robin Hood in the Holy Land during a Crusade.

Robin Hood's world is created here through the lens of modern attitudes and for the most part, the combination succeeds. There is a sense of '60's communal family life with several of the band married and with children, living in cottages but holding the group's goods in common. Tasks are also less rigidly separated by sex. Men do a fair amount of parenting and women are not averse to being crack archers in both contests of skill and actual fighting.

Greater issues than simply a plot line are suggested. Robin Hood may often be reminiscent of Peter Pan in Nevernever Land but he is troubled by the extensive authority over this group that its members have accorded him. The only jarring element is the outlaw group's encounter with the king. The action felt too extreme--not in keeping with Robin's equivocal attitude regarding authority. The sheriff of Nottingham also seemed less the traditional enemy and Sir Guy more a blackguard than might be necessary but the overall high quality of the other elements more than outweighs these minor complaints. This is Robin Hood for grownups who have never quite relinquished their childhood.

_Robin Hood and the Beasts of Sherwood_ is an exciting revisioning of the legend of the greenwood outlaw and his band. Clayton Emery displays a sound knowledge of the original medieval ballads and the subsequent alterations that the legend has undergone over the past 6 centuries, yet this novel is no simple retelling of the old stories. Emery deftly weaves together core elements of the tradition with novel characters and plotlines.

The story is steeped in the earthy and sometimes brutal realities of medieval life. Sherwood, moreover, teems with wildlife, which Emery describes with a naturalist's attention to detail. Counterpoised to this realism are magical elements that reflect the sort of mythic approach to the legend that first became popular among 19th century folklorists, and later characterized the British cult TV series _Robin of Sherwood_ in the 1980s.

Most notable among the new characters in the novel are the women of Sherwood, who include a former prioress, an elderly midwife, a witch, a bold fighting "yeoman", and several mothers with young children. These women are not passive maidens in distress, waiting to be rescued; they use their own physical strength, courage, and intelligence to protect themselves, their forest home, and their community from danger.

The villains of the piece are also noteworthy. Robin and his valiant band must contend not only with their traditional enemies, the Sheriff's men and Guy of Gisborne, but with eerie forces beyond their understanding, which threaten the outlaws' very existence in Sherwood.

As the story unfolds, Robin himself must face his own spiritual doubts about his way of life, while assessing the political and personal consequences of his equivocal relationship with King Richard. How far dare Robin go, without endangering those he leads?

With its compelling blend of realism, mysticism, and adventure, _The Beasts of Sherwood_ is a welcome addition to the contemporary canon of Robin Hood fiction.