Robin Hood Books

Hi. Robyn of Sherwood author Paul Storrie here. Just wanted to set the record straight regarding this listing. Although such an edition was listed at one point in Previews, the trade catalog of the comics industry, it was never printed or published. So I hope that no one is looking for it based on this listing.

The good news is that along with series artists Rob Davis and Michael Larson, I am currently working on an anniversary edition that will be put out as a trade paperback collection in 2008.

Best,
Paul D. Storrie

These tapes show that the real Saint wasn't anything like the charcter that Val Kilmer protrade in the movie, but better! A man that is out to help prevent crime not cause it. A guy that knew all the mobsters and low-lifes in town and knew what made them tick. he was a man that helped others on a whole. Finally this is where Vincent Price really shines. These are all prefect mystery tapes for kids to listen to cause there really isn't that much blood shed just a lot of fist a cuffs and an odd body. Not like most of the other murder/mystery programs that were on at those times.

If you've read lots of books about Robin Hood before, then this book will be especially good for you, although others will like it too. One of the problem with Robin Hood books is that they get repetitive, and one of the great things about this book is that the authors take what they already know about the outlaw, and then uses that to write their own stories about what could have happened. They take the basis for Robin Hood, and the ideals that they believe he represents to make completely original, suspenseful and often funny stories about him. I especially liked Mary Frances Zambreno's and Anna Kirwan stories, just because they were good on their own, without even being part of a book about Robin Hood. but my favorite was Adam Stemple's story, where he takes Robin Hood into the future with hilarious versions of the Sheriff and Guy of Guisborne. The illustrations throughout the book are also great.

Robin Hood redux. All her life Marian has been haunted about dreams of Robin Hood. Well, small wonder, eh, with a name like Marian? Yet, in fiction where all things are possible, this Marian finds herself and her friend, Orlando, carried back in time to ancient England, where King John (Edward Longshank's grand pappy) is the ruler, while Richard the Lionheart is away. Marian doesn't, however, meet Robin ala Errol Flynn and things are not quite have they have been handed down in tales!! For one, Robin's true love and lady fair is Elaine. The real Marian, back then, was his horse!!! (mind out of the gutter...lol).

Elaine was presumed dead, thus putting Sir Guy of Gisborne in such a snit because he lost her monstrous dowry when he hoped to wed her. But what ho!! In a strange twist, the modern Marian (not the horse, mind) happens to look just like Elaine, so plotting is a foot! They think by passing Marian off as Elaine's long lost twin sister, they can get both Elaine's money and appease John since he wasn't too happy about Elaine's death.

Marian hopes Robin will show up soon, because she isn't really happy with Guy and the Sheriff's machinations. With me so far? Buckle up because, as Bette says, it's about to get bumpy!! Complications abound when Marian is forced to wed, but fortunately not to Guy. Instead she is wed to Roland, lord of Huntingdon...who reminds her vaguely of....

Well, I won't spoil the fun. Riser has conjured a ripping tale of auld with enjoyable twists and double twists to keep you loving this fun story. A wonderful time-travel with all the elements carefully measured and added to the mix. Riser shines.

I thought this was one of the best finds! My son does not like to read & he is 8. So I got this book since he loves Robin Hood men in tights & used the music to sing the verses of the Robin Hood tales. He loves it so well, he wants me to just read him the verses! I love all of Virginia Burtons work, but I find this one especially wonderful due to the theme of Robin Hood & the work that went into keeping the translation close to the original bards songs.

I like retellings and McKinley is usually a good author for such things. This is no exception.

This is a retelling of Robin Hood that holds some of the usual cast plus some new ones. It plays on the Norman/Saxton politics as well. People who are not familiar with the history might want some more explanation.

There are places that McKinley didn't go with the tale that I wish she had, thus the 4 stars. She mentions a legend of Robin Hood as a reborn pagan god, but leaves it as a rumor and does not flesh out that piece. I would have loved to know where that would have led.

In this story, which some would call a retelling, Robin McKinley makes the hero Robin, son of Robert, out to be anything but the best. His archery is far from perfect, he is poor, and is nothing more than a pessimistic forester. But the morning of the fair, his lonely life is abruptly altered when he is confronted by a group of mischief-seeking foresters who want Robin-Hood out of their way. But their plans backfire, and one of the foresters meets his death, unluckily by Robin's arrow.

Forced into hiding, this "cataclysmic" death starts the beginning of the Sherwood outlaws, all having one thing in common: their hatred for the Norman ways. While the group broadens, the many false deeds of the outlaws precede them by their sly reputation, until there is only one thing on the mind of the slimy sheriff. Undoubtedly, it's Robin Hood. But until the dealings of Camp Greentree reach the ears of the King, there will be no aid for Nottingham. Not until Guy of Gisbourne arrives, at least.

Although some parts may seem dull, I think this book is a perfect blend of originality and tradition. I find it refreshing that Maid Marian plays such a strong role, and the return of characters like Little John and Will Scarlett keep it thriving. The only thing that I wish for is a sequel.

I think that this was a very good book. It clearly described each member of Sherwood forest, their attitudes, strenghths, weaknesses etc.
I especially loved Cecily and her mysterious "secret". It also struck me how she used a comparatively small character to save Robin Hood's life at the end. It was ironic how Robin Hood was made out not to be such a good fighter, but mainly a peaceful kind of guy who was happiest when he was alone, even though he is supposed to be known for his archery.
I didn't really like the ending. I think that the Lionheart should have given them each a full pardon and that Robin should have gotten his father's land back. She also never mentioned what happened to Marion's father and who ran her father's estates.
All in all, I think that this was an excellent book, apart from the few loose threads that she didn't tie up in the end. I loved this book.

I was swayed from buying this book (which at the time I had read about three times) because of a mediocre review on Amazon.com. Despite my fervent love of the retale, it proved held too much truth to be ignored.

The critic had said that while the book was spectacularly well written, it was the not exactly the story and the characters that he was looking for. That may be true, one doesn't exactly go reading a tale of Robin Hood and his Merry Men without some heroics in mind. And in this version, it could be seen that Robin Hood, a cautious, grounded killjoy would be the exact opposite of the cocky, self assured, robber of the rich. But if you read the book, you'll find plenty of heroics. What's more, you'll find dashing rescues mixed with very real emotions and opinions. Regardless of the fact that the legend Robin Hood becomes a mortal man, McKinley has a way of making his adventures and very existence just as legendary.

However, the best part about this book is, in essence, camp Greentree. Though McKinley is very persistent on the functional and necessary duties (like standing guard and privy duty) as well as Robin's constant reminders of practical cautions, it maintains a certain romance to it (especially at the end). Everything is described so well, that the harsh realities of the outlaws living conditions make simply serve to make it more real. What's more are the outlaws living there. Cecil is especially great in that respect as he's a constant reminder of the comradeship they all share. A particular passage, where he marvels at how accepting they all are of a member with a shady past when he himself is so untrusting, is one of my favorite and one of the reasons Cecil is my favorite character. Whether they be Merry Men or not, the Outlaws of Sherwood share an uncanny loyalty towards one another and unwavering trust that you can feel. Their devotion to Robin Hood the man and their willingness to protect the image he unwittingly created is almost as endearing as the book itself.

You won't get just a legend. You'll get a story. But, if you so choose, you can also follow the birth of a legend and continue from there. You watch Robin son of Robert evolve into Robin Hood, someone who's name carries more weight than his actual presence.

After a few weeks and about 11 re-readings, I finally own a personal copy. Since then, I've read it many more times. It's my personal comfort book, if you will. Because what others find slow-paced (except for the end), is just what makes you love Sherwood and those that live there. It's a brilliant adaption to a greater story and anyone, a fan of Robin Hood or not, should read it.

Undoubtedly there are other versions of the Robin Hood mythology just waiting to be thought up, written and published. The Sherwood legend is too well loved and too much of an archtype to be left alone for long. When these new stories come out, I'll read them and give them the benefit of a doubt. But, thus far, of all the Robin Hood books currently circulating, I would recommend four titles: Howard Pyle's "Merry Adventures of Robin Hood"; Parke Godwin's "Sherwood" and its sequel "Robin & the King"; and my favorite version, Robin McKinley's "The Outlaws of Sherwood".

I swear on a stack of pancakes this woman is a heck of a wordsmith!! She makes every reading of her books seem effortless. "The Outlaws of Sherwood" had such a clean style and flow that within minutes I was fully caught up in the tale and totally unaware of my surroundings. I tore thru it in a few hours and on finishing, I had to blink really hard a few times just to readjust to reality. I was that immersed in her mythical world. Since then I've read the book 5 times and have massively enjoyed all 5 experiences. I have pimped this book to a number of folks and they have all thanked me for it.

Robin McKinley writes her Robin Hood not as an lordly Earl of Locksley but as a struggling young forester, more the everyday working man type. Robin is portrayed as a reluctant down-to-earth hero, being shoved towards a destiny he doesn't want, amidst admiration and awe he feels is unmerited. Along the way, the author throws in a few twists, the biggest of which is that Robin turns out to be as inept with the bow as Shaq is with the freethrow shot. In fact, of all the bowmen in Sherwood Forest, he turns out to be one of the worst. On the other hand, Marian is practically the Kobe Bryant of that very same weapon. There are also fresh takes on Little John and Will Scarlett. The book fills out convincingly the details of rigorous survival of the outlaws in the often wet outdoors and the misery that often accompanies it, coupled with the desperate knowledge that they were one misstep away from the gallows. It's interesting how McKinley stays within the frame of the well-known story arcs, yet manages to stay consistent with the changes she'd implemented. We all know, for example, that Robin Hood enters the shooting tournament for the golden arrow prize and wins it. How does this incarnation fare in that famuos scene? Read the book, my friend, and find out. It was nicely done.

I only wish she would write a sequel! The ending of her novel takes the characters out of their well-known story paths and plants them into new territory. I would dearly like to know what happens next!! Are you listening, Robin McKinley, you heck of a wordsmith?!? But until that sequel comes, dear reader, may I in the meantime also recommend her classic novel "Beauty", her own take on the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast." You'll enjoy it - I swear on a stack of pancakes.

I absolutely loved this novel. Now of course I am a former history major and a medieval/dark age "junky" so the material is right up my alley. But I love the weaving in of various languages, the well worked in view of the church and actions of the churchmen.

The language was beautiful, the descriptions grand, the dialogue very well done. I absolutely love "Aethelfrith" i.e. Friar Tuck. There is not much negative I can say overall about the book. I understand that for some there may not have been enough "action".

And don't come to this book looking for the traditional, almost "high fantasy" version of Robin Hood. I love the old Eroll Flynn movie as much as anyone - I watched it countless times growing up - but this is something grittier, more historically accurate to the times. There really just isn't much negative that I can conceive to say of the book. Very well done and worth a read.

The King Raven Trilogy, Book 1

I read this book based on the title and a review of it as a new and intriguing retelling of the Robin Hood legend without knowing that it was by an author who writes Christian historical fiction, and published by a division of Thomas Nelson books, a noted Christian publishing house.

And Lawhead, who has other series in this vein (on the King Arthur legend, starting with Taliesin: Book One of the Pendragon Cycle, and other Celtic cants), does a nice job of blending pseudo-history, pseudo-fantasy, mild Christian themes, action, and humor into the task of bringing together the cast of characters in the Robin Hood legend. Hood is envisioned as a left-for-dead heir to a Welsh kingdom in the late 11th century, just after the conquest of England (but not Wales) by William the Conqueror.

No classic here, but worth reading and continuing.

So creative! This book is an ingenious twist on a legend we all know and love!

This is an excellent reimagining of the Robin Hood story. I really enjoyed the way that Cymry was used to show how the names would originate. It also makes a lot more sense why the Cymry would fight against the Norman invaders.

And I was totally blown away! I love this book to death. This is just a classic retelling of the Robin Hood story that it gets me excited just thinking about it. The journey that Bran (Our Robin Hood character) takes in this book is one where he must learn to be the person he was born to be. He must lead his subjects or doom the small kingdom of Elfael to destruction. I love this book!

I readily admit that there were several times when I was tempted to put Ivanhoe aside. The story is a wonderful historical tale of knights and political intrigues with all the details normally associated with a tale of medieval chivalry. Each time I almost gave in, I reached a point in the narrative that suddenly engaged me and so I continued and finished what is in retrospect a fabulous read.

Sir Walter Scott's tale is grounded in history , though as many have cited below not necessarily historically accurate. Nevertheless it is entertaining and well worth the effort. The language can be a challenge at times but for a fantastical view of Norman England during the Crusades it is quite a ride.

After ordering my copy of Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe, I eagerly awaited the arrival of the book on my doorstep. Upon finishing the book yesterday, and having taken until the age of 40 to actually read this classic novel, it was all well worth the wait.

Being an avid reader of historical fiction, both classic and contemporary novels on the subject, I am inclined to want a fast paced, intricate plot, well developed characters, and a good, in-depth read. Ivanhoe, one of Scott's Waverly romances, brings to life the story of the return of outcast Wilfred of Ivanhoe, son of Cedric the Saxon....banished from his father's favor for simply falling in love with the maiden Rowena, who is Cedric's ward, and promised to Cedric's friend, Athelstane.

Upon returning to Cedric's kingdom, Ivanhoe proves himself in battle, yet is wounded in the process. Enter the damsel Rebecca, daughter of the wealthy Jewish merchant Isaac of York, who takes up the charge of tending to Ivanhoe's wounds and restoring him to health.

Thus begins the story, which then turns on some famous characters of history, such as Richard the Lion Hearted, as well as a not too difficult to identify Robin Hood (though appearing under the name Locksley for most of this book) and the efforts of Robin's men, along with the famed 'Black Knight' to rescue Cedric, Rebecca, Rowena, Athelstane, Ivanhoe, and Isaac from the clutches of the dastardly Maurice De Bracy and Knight Templar Brian de Bois Guilbert, who have imprisoned the heroes and heroines in the castle Front-de-Boeuf after they have ambushed them on the road.

Danger, disguise, intrigue, romance, shocking deaths and even more shocking returns await readers as they read on in Walter Scott's highly engaging and likeable tale of Chivalrous derring-do. A wonderful novel, a wonderful read, and a wonderful way to learn more about the middle ages, the Knights Templar, and the exploits of Robin Hood. Though Ivanhoe himself is what I would deem a 'minor' character in the work, this still does nothing to take from the enjoyment of reading it. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed the book and the characters some of whom were good, others clearly evil, and others a bit of both. Although what characters were good or evil was not always clear. Was Friar Tuck such a good guy? I don't recall a single clergy member that was honest. I felt Rebecca was interesting in that she was brave, kind, courageous, and spirited. Rowenna took a back seat as a hollow character. Bois-Guilbert was truly fascinating. One sees a progression towards introspection in this valueless but brave man of action. You start to hope that he will evolve through love and contact with the good into a true hero. Although some progress seems to be made, where he is morally at the end is unclear. We never can tell if he would have lost the last battle on purpose. Perhaps the book should have been titled "Brian and Rebecca." Ivanhoe was not present during so much of the book and the ending is a bit unhappy and not satisfying. Overall it is a great read.

Ivanhoe is one of those books I thought I should have read as a child, but hadn't. Finally, at age 62, I've read it -- and loved it. I had no idea it would be so funny. I wonder how it got its title, though, since Ivanhoe himself seems to have a pretty minor role.

Sir Walter Scott was the first, and is still considered one of the best, historical novelists of all time. His first novel, Waverly, which concerns itself with the Jacobite rebellion in Scotland in 1745, was published in 1814 and was an overwhelming success. He followed that with two dozen other Waverly novels, including Rob Roy in 1818. In 1819, he began a new series of novels based on medieval England and Europe, beginning with Ivanhoe. Ivanhoe is still considered one of his best and most endearing works.

One of the things about Scott that makes him so significant is his mastery of the English language. He is a type of bridge between Shakespeare's Elizabethan English and the English of the modern world. In Ivanhoe, he captures the flavor of the language of the age of chivalry without overwhelming us. We have a touch of "thees" and "thous," but the meanings of passages are still quite clear. His writing is rich and multifaceted, but it always has purpose. He uses words with precision, but he does not try to impress us with what he knows.

A second thing about Scott that is significant is his knowledge of history. His research is impeccable, and it bears fruit in the lavishness of his details. Yet, we don't get bogged down in detail. There is just enough to paint the scenes of the period and make them come alive. A perfect example is his handling of the tournament in Ivanhoe. Never has there been a clearer, more perfect description of a medieval tournament. It is breathtaking, and we feel we are a part of the action.

I wish that Scott had written about King Arthur. If he had, he would have been the greatest of the Arthurian authors. Unfortunately, Ivanhoe is as close as he came. Yet, we get so much from that one book concerning chivalry and knighthood, that it could almost be used as a handbook on the subject. It is also quite critical of the faults of the period, such as the mistreatment of Jews and the excesses of the nobility. It is a most honest handling of a most romantic period, and yet he does not tarnish it or disturb the blush on the rose.

A third thing about Scott is his incredible story-telling and his ability to develop so many interesting characters. Every chapter in Ivanhoe is a complete scene that ends in such a way so as to draw us into the next scene. Scott could easily have been a screenwriter. The personalities that fill those scenes are unforgettable and endearing, such as Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, King Richard the Lionhearted, Locksley (Robin Hood), the Lady Rowena, Rebecca, Isaac of York and Wamba. There are also a host of detestable villains, such as Prince John, Maurice de Bracy and Brian de Bois-Guilbert. No wonder Hollywood wanted to make this into a major motion picture. The 1952 version with Robert Taylor as Ivanhoe, Elizabeth Taylor as Rebecca, Joan Fontaine as Lady Rowena and George Sanders as Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert is unusually good. Robert Taylor is a bit stiff; but then he never felt as comfortable or looked as natural in tights and armor as Errol Flynn. There is also a 1982 TV version, staring James Mason and some other notables, with which I am not familiar.

When you compare current novels, even historical ones, with Ivanhoe and other Scott works, there is no comparison. What you gain in readability in the modern works, you lose in pure beauty of the language. Scott is an education, not only in language, but history, culture and human relations. But he is also one of the most entertaining authors who ever put pen to paper. I highly recommend him, and especially Ivanhoe.

Waitsel Smith

Meh...a good kids' book. It kept me interested, but there were many "cheesy" sections that ended way too "neatly" for me. There was also no recognizable "bad guy" which makes a plotline sort of boring and unrecognizable.

The nice thing about this book was that it was not your typical Robbin Hood/Maid Marian novel. Marian was more of a hero herself in this version, making it an empowering book for young girls, and for any reader that is sick of Marian having to be "rescued" all the time. While the takes on the characters were refreshing, unfortunately it did not save the book from the all-too-simple plotline and underdeveloped supporting characters.

The writing was easy and didn't flow very well. Even third graders might not enjoy this book.

Two stars.

I thought this book was very well-written and brilliant.

I agree with all the reviews on this page except one, who claims to be standing up for the Catholic Church. There were many high ranking members of the Catholic Church who were corrupt during the Middle Ages (because they had power, not because they were Catholic), otherwise the Protestent Reformation would not have happened. If anyone reads books written during that time like The Decameron by Boccaccio or The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer (which I did at a Jesuit university) you get a sense of the lives ordinary people in all walks of this society, the issues they faced, their motivations which were as complex as the lives of people today, and most importantly--that people from that time also had a proper sense of humor.

That is what is brilliant about Forest Wife. There are no false romantic notions about the Middle Ages, where damsels always need to be rescued by princes on horses. (That idea was created during the Victorian era.) Infact, because of the Black Death and the Crusades many Medieval women found themselves in positions authority in their local communities. This book is about how ordinary people deal with bad situations and find that through helping others they can build a place where they can belong. I'm glad this book doesn't doesn't shy away from difficult issues and addresses the intelligence of its young readers.

I agree with the review about innappropriateness. I'm a huge fan of Robin Hood legend (and a girl myself) and I think that Maid Marian (she's supposed to really represent purity and chasteness and feminity) is really skewed in this book too.

Not the kind of book I'd normally read, i reluctantly borrowed this from my cousin as she insisted that it was brilliant and i'd like it. She was right! I think it is an amazing book and very very well written. It is well researched and projects the lives of the outlaw women extremely well. A kind of Robbin Hood-esque story, The author has cleverly and with knowledge looked at the women who live with the bandits and outlaws, deep in the forest. At a time of chaos and turmoil these people are forced to kill the evil. The Story is written through the eyes of Marian, the green lady of the forest, and later through the eyes of Magda. It is an emotional story and it even made me cry at the end. It is The kind of book that I am sure i will still be reading in years to come (with my very own copy! yay!) I hope you enjoy reading this as much as i did.

This is a believable reimaging of the tales of Robin Hood told from the POV of Marian and the women in Medieval England. It is rich in detail and historical fact. I highly recommend this book to anyone...

As to the previous reviewer's comments about anti-Catholic sentiments. Have you never studied history? The Catholic Church in the Dark Ages were full of bishops and clergy similar to those portrayed in the book. The Church was bigoted, violent and prepared to go to any lengths to ensure that women were kept underfoot. Before slamming this book for revealing history, perhaps you should take a look at the real history, you will find it is much...much worse and it was all done in God's name

This is the second book in the King Raven Trilogy, and it was stunning. One must keep in mind that the book switches perspectives off and on throughout, but Lawhead does it with class. Essentially, however, it is told through Will Scarlet's point of view (who does not seem to be related to Bran in any way), about how he came to become part of King Raven's band of men and was eventually captured. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat till the end, and you'll be wanting to pick up the third installment, Tuck, as you as you can get your hands on it (February 2009).

This continues to be my favorite series in recent memory. This book is every bit as outstanding as the first installment, better in some areas and worse in others.

On the positive side you see even more the villainy of the Frankish overlords and are given all the more someone to hate. The romance between Will and Noin is also a nice addition to the story. Now I had a hard time at first getting into the way the story is told, mostly through the eyes of Will. That said, it wasn't very long before I went from struggling with it to loving the character and the book.

Now my one complaint though does come from the fact that so much of the story comes from Will's PoV. There are small asides from other perspectives, but almost all of them are enemy PoVs. I would have liked to spend some more time with Bran, or even some of the other villagers getting to know more the perspective and life of the Grellon themselves.

That slow start and small complain aside, the dialogue is still wonderful, character development continues to be nice, and the story is just so engaging. My only problem now is waiting for the next installment!

King Raven Trilogy: Book 2.

Great followup to Hood continues the tail of Rhi Bran di Hud (Robin Hood to our English ears). Lawhead keeps the action fast paced but not intensely tight, the suspenseful confrontations intense but as often resolved with humor and deception as with resort to violence.

The third book, Tuck, is due to close the series by 2009. I will anticipate it eagerly.

after reading this book, you feel like everything you thought you knew about robin hood was just a fairy tale...and this was the history you wanted him to exist in!

I thought that this was much better than "Hood". The narrative was pretty cool, as it was written as an auto-biography. I also liked how the origin of Robin Hood made its appearance from the mis-pronunciation of the Welsh. I can't wait for "Tuck".