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The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
This novel tells the classic tale of the mischievous Master of Sherwood Forest, who lives the outlaw life with Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet and his band of Merry Men, bedevilling the implacable Sheriff of Nottingham during the reign of Richard the Lionhearted. This edition features over 40 full-colour illustrations by author Howard Pyle, bringing this timeless text to life.
435 pages, Leather Bound
First published January 1, 1883
About the author
Howard Pyle
1,100 books296 followersHoward Pyle was an American illustrator and author, primarily of books for young people.
During 1894 he began teaching illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (now Drexel University), and after 1900 he founded his own school of art and illustration named the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. The term Brandywine School was later applied to the illustration artists and Wyeth family artists of the Brandywine region by Pitz. Some of his more famous students were N. C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Elenore Abbott, Ethel Franklin Betts, Anna Whelan Betts, Harvey Dunn, Clyde O. DeLand, Philip R. Goodwin, Violet Oakley, Ellen Bernard Thompson Pyle, Olive Rush, Allen Tupper True, and Jessie Willcox Smith.
His 1883 classic publication The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood remains in print, and his other books, frequently with medieval European settings, include a four-volume set on King Arthur. He is also well known for his illustrations of pirates, and is credited with creating the now stereotypical modern image of pirate dress. He published an original novel, Otto of the Silver Hand, in 1888. He also illustrated historical and adventure stories for periodicals such as Harper's Weekly and St. Nicholas Magazine. His novel Men of Iron was made into a movie in 1954, The Black Shield of Falworth.
Pyle travelled to Florence, Italy to study mural painting during 1910, and died there in 1911 from a kidney infection (Bright's Disease).
His sister Katharine Pyle was also a writer and illustrator. Their mother was the children's author and translator M.C. Pyle.
During 1894 he began teaching illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (now Drexel University), and after 1900 he founded his own school of art and illustration named the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. The term Brandywine School was later applied to the illustration artists and Wyeth family artists of the Brandywine region by Pitz. Some of his more famous students were N. C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Elenore Abbott, Ethel Franklin Betts, Anna Whelan Betts, Harvey Dunn, Clyde O. DeLand, Philip R. Goodwin, Violet Oakley, Ellen Bernard Thompson Pyle, Olive Rush, Allen Tupper True, and Jessie Willcox Smith.
His 1883 classic publication The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood remains in print, and his other books, frequently with medieval European settings, include a four-volume set on King Arthur. He is also well known for his illustrations of pirates, and is credited with creating the now stereotypical modern image of pirate dress. He published an original novel, Otto of the Silver Hand, in 1888. He also illustrated historical and adventure stories for periodicals such as Harper's Weekly and St. Nicholas Magazine. His novel Men of Iron was made into a movie in 1954, The Black Shield of Falworth.
Pyle travelled to Florence, Italy to study mural painting during 1910, and died there in 1911 from a kidney infection (Bright's Disease).
His sister Katharine Pyle was also a writer and illustrator. Their mother was the children's author and translator M.C. Pyle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,522 reviews
June 9, 2020
These stories were great fun to read. I had never read any of these, even as a child. They did tend to have the same basic premise of outwitting someone and eventually winning their allegiance each story, but they were still very endearing. Overall, it probably was a 3.5 but I rounded up.
May 11, 2021
This is my favourite novel. A copy sits on my desk with my dictionary. Having first read it in grade five, I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve re-read it – including once in the rain in Sherwood Forest, sitting under an umbrella. The three chapters spanning Little John’s fight with Arthur a Bland, and Robin Hood’s fight with Will Scarlet, culminating in all four of them getting bested by Midge the miller’s son is my favourite part, though the chapter on the Chase is also incredibly fun. The stories have a great sense of humour. The language and generally cheery outlook do a great job of transporting you into the world Pyle portrays. Robin has human foibles, but is also shown to full advantage as a role model with an innate sense of justice.
This novel brought Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest to life for me, more than any other retelling of the legend. It inspired me to write my first novel, and propelled me more than any other book toward the study of medieval England, which years later became my MA. This book changed my life.
This novel brought Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest to life for me, more than any other retelling of the legend. It inspired me to write my first novel, and propelled me more than any other book toward the study of medieval England, which years later became my MA. This book changed my life.
May 5, 2009
Marry, I didst learn to prate e'en as those stout fellows did in Merry Old England. 'Tis true, there are other accounts of Bold Robin's merry doings, but this one, I wot, pleases me most of them all. By the bright eyes of the lass I love best, I'll say you, do you give yon 'Bloody Quaker' the chance, thou wilt likewise fall, willy-nilly, under his spell, both with the pen, and the brush, for he is a fair hand with both, withal.
And to whoever did lightly reave away my copy (I've since obtained another) ten years gone, a murrain upon thee!
And to whoever did lightly reave away my copy (I've since obtained another) ten years gone, a murrain upon thee!
August 6, 2011
Seldomly I've been so touched by a book as I was by Robin Hood. From the very beginning it was a lighthearted and happy tale of an outlaw and his adventures, told in a careless, joyful and entertaining language - depicting Robin Hood not as a criminal, but a lovely young man with a sharp wit, sense of humour and excellent skills with the bow. He is the king of his band of men yet they are equal, he shows mercy for the needing and sympathy for the weak. You wish him all good in the world and it is with a somewhat heavy heart that you wish him a good journey with the King of England when he "grows up", and you shed tears when he returns to Sherwood after years of service to the King, even more so when his band of men all return to him. Even so, all things good must end and you feel like you've lost your dearest cousin, the one that was your favourite because he was charming, witty and wellmannered, as well as he had a pure heart...farewell Robin Hood, may you rest in peace.
--
I do realise that this story is nothing but fiction based upon folklore and that the real Robin Hood might not have been worth the glory...nevertheless he is an interesting character and I believe that Pyle has managed to create a real hero with his interpretation of him. I love Robin Hood more now than I did as child, watching countless movies and cartoons about him, most of these inspired by this tale. But nothing beats the "real thing", so to say, and I feel that my childhood hero has gained a stronger place in my heart.
--
I do realise that this story is nothing but fiction based upon folklore and that the real Robin Hood might not have been worth the glory...nevertheless he is an interesting character and I believe that Pyle has managed to create a real hero with his interpretation of him. I love Robin Hood more now than I did as child, watching countless movies and cartoons about him, most of these inspired by this tale. But nothing beats the "real thing", so to say, and I feel that my childhood hero has gained a stronger place in my heart.
May 7, 2019
Howard Pyle is my of my favorite read-aloud authors. This version of Robin Hood reads like a lyric ode to Sherwood Forest and the merry band of outlaws. It is the perfect book to read aloud to young poet-warrior hopefuls. It is also the last book I will read aloud to the young man I have been teaching for almost four years, so the bittersweet ending of the book strikes a remembrance of past readings with my own children.
Let us end here:
"Thus they rode slowly onward, talking about these old, familiar things; old and yet new, for they found more in them than they had ever thought of before. Thus at last they came to the open glade, and the broad, wide-spreading greenwood tree which was their home for so many years. Neither of the two spoke when they stood beneath that tree. Robin looked all about him at the well-known things, so like what they used to be and yet so different; for, where once was the bustle of many busy fellows was now the quietness of solitude; and, as he looked, the woodlands, the greensward, and the sky all blurred together in his sight through salt tears, for such a great yearning came upon him as he looked on these things (as well known to him as the fingers of his right hand) that he could not keep back the water from his eyes."
Let us end here:
"Thus they rode slowly onward, talking about these old, familiar things; old and yet new, for they found more in them than they had ever thought of before. Thus at last they came to the open glade, and the broad, wide-spreading greenwood tree which was their home for so many years. Neither of the two spoke when they stood beneath that tree. Robin looked all about him at the well-known things, so like what they used to be and yet so different; for, where once was the bustle of many busy fellows was now the quietness of solitude; and, as he looked, the woodlands, the greensward, and the sky all blurred together in his sight through salt tears, for such a great yearning came upon him as he looked on these things (as well known to him as the fingers of his right hand) that he could not keep back the water from his eyes."
October 7, 2022
I liked this book until the end (very ghoulish); I wont ruin it for those of you who have not read it...but after you read it I think you will understand what I mean. Lots of merriment here - high spirits and high adventure - till the very end. Another iconic character that has continued to evolve to this day (Green Arrow and Hawkeye).
May 28, 2019
I liked this for what it was: little adventures full of mischief and jokes against the authorities.
Everyone has heard the name Robin Hood and knows about his friends Little John and Friar Tuck or Will Scarlet (who wasn't actually called that once upon a time). They have fallen out with the law for relatively innocent reasons but the law, back then, was even more of a mess than it is now. So they all moved to Sherwood Forest where they are living and hiding and giving the occasional "feast" for wealthy people after which the rich are less rich and taught a lesson. *lol*
Where does the wealth go? Well, I bet good old Robin keeps a bit of it to finance his next prank but most of it is spent on giving to the poor (often in form of free food).
Which explains why these guys are so popular. When the king demands more and more, when the taxes are raised again and again and when the Sheriff is a prick, you definitely look to guys who aren't afraid of them and their thugs.
Especially as a children's story, this must have been an instant success. I'm not sure why the tales have become legendary, exactly, but it was quite fun despite it always having been clear how the individual adventure would end.
This didn't exactly rock my world, but it was fun enough and I'm glad I finally read this classic as well.
Everyone has heard the name Robin Hood and knows about his friends Little John and Friar Tuck or Will Scarlet (who wasn't actually called that once upon a time). They have fallen out with the law for relatively innocent reasons but the law, back then, was even more of a mess than it is now. So they all moved to Sherwood Forest where they are living and hiding and giving the occasional "feast" for wealthy people after which the rich are less rich and taught a lesson. *lol*
Where does the wealth go? Well, I bet good old Robin keeps a bit of it to finance his next prank but most of it is spent on giving to the poor (often in form of free food).
Which explains why these guys are so popular. When the king demands more and more, when the taxes are raised again and again and when the Sheriff is a prick, you definitely look to guys who aren't afraid of them and their thugs.
Especially as a children's story, this must have been an instant success. I'm not sure why the tales have become legendary, exactly, but it was quite fun despite it always having been clear how the individual adventure would end.
This didn't exactly rock my world, but it was fun enough and I'm glad I finally read this classic as well.
July 12, 2023
Everyone in this book must completely lack facial recognition because Robin Hood and his Merry Men are able to pull off disguises WAY too well and far too often 😂
Also, the popular impression of Robin Hood as the guy who stole from the rich and gave to the poor is...a little off.
This was fun, though!
Also, the popular impression of Robin Hood as the guy who stole from the rich and gave to the poor is...a little off.
This was fun, though!
July 11, 2012
A rollicking good time. This long version by traditional storyteller Howard Pyle hums with the merriment of Robin's band of brothers. Their adventures involve bringing justice to folks in need, at the expense of the apathetic or oppressive rich and powerful passing near Sherwood forest.
It struck me that Robin Hood presents some lessons from the 1200s on masculinity, which we might not learn in our culture. The typical reference to Robin's merry men today tends to be an off color homosexual reference, which only shows how little we understand true masculinity.
1. Good men are quick to laugh, not because they are fools but because they pursue a life of joy.
2. True men can laugh at themselves. They are not so caught up in their ego, pride or machismo that they don't see when they have BEEN the joke.
3. Real men aren't afraid of others of superior ability, but invite them to join them in common cause. This strengthens them in a community that depends on others. It is amazing how many times Robin loses a fight, then asks the winner to join him.
4. Men trust other friends with their lives. We need friends to share our fight, walk our road, and tell our stories with us.
Be a real man like Robin Hood.
I'm not sure it was intended originally, but the premise presents a powerful parallel with David, outlawed from Saul in 1 Samuel. Both David and Robin gather those indebted or out of favor or outlawed to the king. Both are really in the right and will be vindicated in the future. Both work for the good of the kingdom (and themselves) before that time comes, by plundering God's enemies. Both are pursued by the oppressive authorities (Saul, the Sheriff), but are vindicated by higher authorities (God, King Richard).
It struck me that Robin Hood presents some lessons from the 1200s on masculinity, which we might not learn in our culture. The typical reference to Robin's merry men today tends to be an off color homosexual reference, which only shows how little we understand true masculinity.
1. Good men are quick to laugh, not because they are fools but because they pursue a life of joy.
2. True men can laugh at themselves. They are not so caught up in their ego, pride or machismo that they don't see when they have BEEN the joke.
3. Real men aren't afraid of others of superior ability, but invite them to join them in common cause. This strengthens them in a community that depends on others. It is amazing how many times Robin loses a fight, then asks the winner to join him.
4. Men trust other friends with their lives. We need friends to share our fight, walk our road, and tell our stories with us.
Be a real man like Robin Hood.
I'm not sure it was intended originally, but the premise presents a powerful parallel with David, outlawed from Saul in 1 Samuel. Both David and Robin gather those indebted or out of favor or outlawed to the king. Both are really in the right and will be vindicated in the future. Both work for the good of the kingdom (and themselves) before that time comes, by plundering God's enemies. Both are pursued by the oppressive authorities (Saul, the Sheriff), but are vindicated by higher authorities (God, King Richard).
January 21, 2016
This was a wonderful reread from my childhood. A wonderful romp through the Sherwood forest with Robin and his merry men. A tale of good and evil stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.
I recommend to all.
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
PS It makes it a lot more fun if you read it aloud to a child.
Diamond
I recommend to all.
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
PS It makes it a lot more fun if you read it aloud to a child.
Diamond
Read
August 2, 2023Hmm. This is considered one of the first novels about Robin Hood, taken from oral legends, ballads, brief stories, and clearly aimed at younger readers. It's fine. A bit repetitive, in that half that stories are about how Robin and his men regularly go out, waylay someone, and make him pay for the privilege of dining with them. This seems to be in large part how they get their money, which they do distribute amongst the poor. The poor, however, mainly consists of themselves and their families, all of whom are outlawed or disowned and so living in a large community in Sherwood to dodge the law.
It was interesting to see the names and characters that have gotten tossed aside and the ones who have become major players in the more recent stories. Will Shrutely was one of his top men, and I've never seen that name before. Will Scarlett and Will Scathlocke are also there, and are two different people. I've only ever seen them conflated. Guy of Gisborne is a brief story, near the end, a sort of bounty hunter Robin kills before Guy can kill him. Guy is considered not just uncouth, lowborn, but ambitious, but a dangerous murderer. There are mentions early on of Marion, Robin's love, mostly that he moons over her when he is younger, but after the halfway point she's never mentioned again and he dies a bachelor.
It's really made me wonder how much of what we consider "the Robin Hood legend" is a mashup of the Disney movie and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, at least as far as modern retellings are concerned.
It was interesting to see the names and characters that have gotten tossed aside and the ones who have become major players in the more recent stories. Will Shrutely was one of his top men, and I've never seen that name before. Will Scarlett and Will Scathlocke are also there, and are two different people. I've only ever seen them conflated. Guy of Gisborne is a brief story, near the end, a sort of bounty hunter Robin kills before Guy can kill him. Guy is considered not just uncouth, lowborn, but ambitious, but a dangerous murderer. There are mentions early on of Marion, Robin's love, mostly that he moons over her when he is younger, but after the halfway point she's never mentioned again and he dies a bachelor.
It's really made me wonder how much of what we consider "the Robin Hood legend" is a mashup of the Disney movie and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, at least as far as modern retellings are concerned.
February 26, 2011
Pretty much the first thing every new Kindle owner does is download a shitload of free classics. And hey why not? They're much lauded - and free! And among that set for me was this book.
I loved the Robin Hood tales as a child, read some other more kid-friendly versions of it time and time again as a boy and so I thought I'd tackle the original* here.
And? It was awesome. If you liked it then you'll like it now. Friar Tuck, Little John, Will Scarlet - the whole band is there, frolicking and robbing and carrying on. What I didn't recall, however, is that this book is *funny*. Robin has a wicked sense of humor and the dialogue is witty! A bit cartoonish even. So I dug that this trip around.
*I asterisked original here because, there really is no original. After reading this I was prompted to read all of the Wikipedia entries about Robin Hood and the evolution of his tales. This version by Pyle is widely regarded as the beginning of the modern and well known tale, but it was neither the beginning nor the end. Check the Wikipedia entry if you're curious for more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood
Happy hunting.
I loved the Robin Hood tales as a child, read some other more kid-friendly versions of it time and time again as a boy and so I thought I'd tackle the original* here.
And? It was awesome. If you liked it then you'll like it now. Friar Tuck, Little John, Will Scarlet - the whole band is there, frolicking and robbing and carrying on. What I didn't recall, however, is that this book is *funny*. Robin has a wicked sense of humor and the dialogue is witty! A bit cartoonish even. So I dug that this trip around.
*I asterisked original here because, there really is no original. After reading this I was prompted to read all of the Wikipedia entries about Robin Hood and the evolution of his tales. This version by Pyle is widely regarded as the beginning of the modern and well known tale, but it was neither the beginning nor the end. Check the Wikipedia entry if you're curious for more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood
Happy hunting.
April 17, 2018
My review is a bit torn between two. Robin Hood in this retelling was nothing but a rogue and restless fellow. There was no King Richard for whom he was fighting behind the sheriff’s back. Instead, he was just at odds with the sheriff and the sheriff could not overcome him or his men. So, there really wasn’t much noble in Robin’s character here. That, I really couldn’t admire.
On the flip side, the humor in this was hysterical. I had several laughing aloud moments. I can appreciate good wit, and the merry men surely had it. Of course, as with any wit, it did go too far at times.
There was a heavy theme of drinking throughout the pages. The only form of Christianity would be the priests who cares more for their purse than their parishes (which was to be a revealing of hypocrisy). There was next to no romance (sorry, no maid Marion in this book, besides her name being mentioned once). It’s possible that the songs they sung could have had some questionable content, but I’ll be honest and confess that I skipped over the poetry, so I don’t know what they contain.
A good way to think of this book is as a collection of short tales of Robin Hood, as the flow wasn’t exactly novel-type.
The adventures were a mix of fun and some with which I could not approve (they just lacked the integrity and nobility that I have seen in Robin in other retellings). I could revisit some of the stories and cannot say I wish I hadn’t read it.
On the flip side, the humor in this was hysterical. I had several laughing aloud moments. I can appreciate good wit, and the merry men surely had it. Of course, as with any wit, it did go too far at times.
There was a heavy theme of drinking throughout the pages. The only form of Christianity would be the priests who cares more for their purse than their parishes (which was to be a revealing of hypocrisy). There was next to no romance (sorry, no maid Marion in this book, besides her name being mentioned once). It’s possible that the songs they sung could have had some questionable content, but I’ll be honest and confess that I skipped over the poetry, so I don’t know what they contain.
A good way to think of this book is as a collection of short tales of Robin Hood, as the flow wasn’t exactly novel-type.
The adventures were a mix of fun and some with which I could not approve (they just lacked the integrity and nobility that I have seen in Robin in other retellings). I could revisit some of the stories and cannot say I wish I hadn’t read it.
July 23, 2022
Author Howard Pyle has done it again. Everything about this book was wonderful. The way it was written in old english really made me feel the setting and time period more than I could have in any other way. I loved the merriment of Robin Hood's band. Always so giving and kind even while robbing a haughty friar. They offered the best feasts and never took more than they needed. He has written these stories in a way that again makes you want to be a better more understanding person of those around you with happiness in your heart and a will to fight for those who you care for. The ending brought me tears, I never expected the book to end with Robin Hood's death. He only wanted to finish living out his days in Sherwood with the few men who were still willing to live there. It seems so evil that his kindnesses were forgotten so easily by his cousin and my only gladness is that little John stayed by his side until the end and found the arrow he last shot to lay Robin's body. I'm in literal tears.
November 9, 2010
This was I genuinely life altering book for me. I read it for a 12th grade book report and I absolutely loved it. This one book sparked a revolution in my reading habits. No longer was I a participant of the young adult genre, devouring books like Harry Potter or The Series of Unfortunate Events(and that's nit to say I don't like them anymore or that I think they're stupid, I still love them), I now belonged to a more scholarly class of literature. A whole new world was opened up for me.
In the beginning of this story, through a course of events, young Robin eventually takes someones life. The story later foes on to narrate that Robin had made a vow never to take another life in vain. I think that this was the cause of Robin's life long sacrifice. I think that he felt guilty for taking something that wasn't his to take and he vowed to make amends by righting any wrong that, to any degree, replicated the injustice he caused. The book doesn't outrightly state any of this, it's just a theory of my own. That, I think, gives Robin some depth, and thats why I love this book. Any book that holds some wider philosophical, ethical or spiritual significance is a great book by me!
In the beginning of this story, through a course of events, young Robin eventually takes someones life. The story later foes on to narrate that Robin had made a vow never to take another life in vain. I think that this was the cause of Robin's life long sacrifice. I think that he felt guilty for taking something that wasn't his to take and he vowed to make amends by righting any wrong that, to any degree, replicated the injustice he caused. The book doesn't outrightly state any of this, it's just a theory of my own. That, I think, gives Robin some depth, and thats why I love this book. Any book that holds some wider philosophical, ethical or spiritual significance is a great book by me!
July 23, 2018
I have been wanting to read some Robin Hood stories ever since I read Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer because Robin Hood is mentioned so often in it. I don't think Sawyer was reading Pyle (I believe that Twain's book was published first), but this is certainly something that I could see young Tom Sawyer really enjoying.
There are honorable knaves, bloody duels, merry men pulling one over on the man, and even quite a few references to King Arthur and his knights. Also, the gang is all here, along with all of their "origin stories" (I read too many comics...): Will Scarlet, Little John, Friar Tuck, Alan a Dale, King Richard, and the evil Guy of Gisborne and the Sheriff of Nottingham. The only thing missing (shockingly enough) was Maid Marian (she is mentioned briefly at the beginning but doesn't actually make an appearance in the book).
So, if you are looking for a fun, light classic, you really can't go wrong with The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood.
There are honorable knaves, bloody duels, merry men pulling one over on the man, and even quite a few references to King Arthur and his knights. Also, the gang is all here, along with all of their "origin stories" (I read too many comics...): Will Scarlet, Little John, Friar Tuck, Alan a Dale, King Richard, and the evil Guy of Gisborne and the Sheriff of Nottingham. The only thing missing (shockingly enough) was Maid Marian (she is mentioned briefly at the beginning but doesn't actually make an appearance in the book).
So, if you are looking for a fun, light classic, you really can't go wrong with The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood.
November 6, 2018
This wasn't really my cup of tea. Struggled for a good few months to finish this book, because it is just one of these books that you want to have read, but eventually succeeded. Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.
October 17, 2021
I love this book so very much!! I don't care how many times I read it, it has such a special place in my heart and I almost cry every time I finish it. I laugh so many times throughout it and cheer right along with Robin Hood and his merry band. This book is just amazing and I can't rave enough about it!!
September 2, 2016
Read this one over time using the Serial Reader App for iPad.
Each installment was another adventure for the "merry men." The first few were the joining of several characters to the band of men. And such a sad ending that I had no idea had happened.
Each installment was another adventure for the "merry men." The first few were the joining of several characters to the band of men. And such a sad ending that I had no idea had happened.
November 13, 2023
This is not the Robin Hood storyline I grew up with from the Disney movie (which I love). The redistribution of wealth isn’t here, and apparently it wasn’t in the early ballads and plays about him but was added later. It led me to a bunch of research which was delightful. It is a reaaally fun read! My boys LOVED it, and it was a hoot to read with them. It took us through his whole life from being a teen onward, which surprised me. It includes his death, which was a fitting end I felt. Hank was so sad I let him skip narrating it.
Editing in 2023–the redistribution of wealth is in the Prologue. 🤦♀️
Editing in 2023–the redistribution of wealth is in the Prologue. 🤦♀️
May 20, 2016
تجميع لأشهر قصص ومغامرات روبن هود
بدءاً من تحوله لمجرم مرورا بإختفائه في غابة شيروود
وتكوين عصابته المكونة من ويل ستوتلي وجون الصغير وآلان آديل وويل سكاريت و ماتش الطحان
ومغامراته مع المأمور وحصوله على السهم الذهبي
وطريقه للوصول لحاشية الملك ريتشارد قلب الأسد
ثم موته في محبسه عام 1247
بدءاً من تحوله لمجرم مرورا بإختفائه في غابة شيروود
وتكوين عصابته المكونة من ويل ستوتلي وجون الصغير وآلان آديل وويل سكاريت و ماتش الطحان
ومغامراته مع المأمور وحصوله على السهم الذهبي
وطريقه للوصول لحاشية الملك ريتشارد قلب الأسد
ثم موته في محبسه عام 1247
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2023
এই পৃথিবীতে প্রাচীনকাল থেকেই শাসনের নামে শোষণ চলে এসেছে। গরীবদের শোষণ করে অর্থবিত্তে প্রভাবশালী হয়েছে ধনীরা। আর গরীবরা ঠিকই গরীব থেকে গিয়েছে। তাদের কথা শোনার কেউ নেই। তাদের কথা বলার কেউ নেই। নিজেদের হাহাকার নিজেদেরই মেটাতে হয়। বিষাদগার তাদের এই জীবনের গল্প কেউ কি জানে?
যুগে যুগে অন্যায়ের বিরুদ্ধে রুখে দাঁড়ানোর জন্য অসংখ্য মহাপুরুষের আবির্ভাব হয়েছিল। যারা মানবতার কথা বলে, সাধারণ মানুষের জন্য ছুটে হলে। তেমনই এক মানুষ রবিনহুড।
প্রায় বারোশ বছর পূর্বের এক সময়কাল, যখন চলছিল রাজা হেনরির রাজত্ব। ইংল্যান্ডের লক্সলি শহরে জন্ম নেয় রবার্ট ফিটজুথ নামের এক শিশু। সময়ের সাথে সাথে জীবনের পরিক্রমায় আসে পরিবর্তন। শিশুকালেই বাবাকে হারিয়ে অনাথ হয়ে যাওয়া রবার্ট মানুষ হয় চাচার কাছে। ছোটবেলা থেকেই তির-ধনুক হাতে বিস্ময়ের জন্ম দেওয়া এই যুবক নিজের অজান্তেই একটি ভুল করে ফেলল। তখনকার সময়ে রাজা ব্যতীত কোনো বন্য প্রাণী হত্যা কিংবা শিকার ছিল দণ্ডনীয় অপরাধ। অন্যের প্ররোচনা বা নিজের শ্রেষ্ঠত্ব প্রমাণের তাগিদে সেই ভুল করে রবার্ট। একটি হরিণের প্রাণ হরণের দায়ে তাকে খুঁজে বেড়ায় বনের রক্ষীরা। সেখান থেকে প্রাণ বাঁচিয়ে ডাকাতদের এক ডেরায় উপস্থিত হয় সে। এই ভুল করার আগে তার লক্ষ্য ছিল নটিংহামের তিরন্দাজ প্রতিযোগিতায় অংশ নেওয়া। ডাকাতদের সেই ডেরা tথেকে ছদ্মবেশে সেই প্রতিযোগিতায় যায় সে। যদি জিততে পারে, তবে এই ডাকাতেরা তাকেই নেতা হিসেবে মেনে নিবে। তিরের সাথে যার সখ্যতা, সে কি এত সহজে হার মানে? মাথায় হুড চাপিয়ে সে প্রতিযোগিতা জিতে বীরের বেশে ফিরে আসে। রবিনহুড নামের এক কিংবদন্তির গল্পের শুরু সেখান থেকেই….
শেরউড বনে একচ্ছত্র আধিপত্য বিস্তার করে রবিনহুডের ডাকাতদল। যারা অন্যায়ভাবে অন্যের সম্পদ কেড়ে প্রভাবশালী হয়েছে, তাদের উপযুক্ত শাস্তির বিধান করা-ই তার কাজ। কিন্তু দলে তো আরো শক্তিশালী মানুষের প্রয়োজন। শক্তিশালী, কর্মঠ, অস্ত্রবিদ্যায় পারদর্শী সকল মানুষকে নিয়ে এমন এক দল গড়ে তোলে যাদের ভয়ে কেঁপে ওঠে পুরো নটিংহাম। অবশ্যই যারা সম্পদের পাহাড় গড়েছে তাদের ভীত হওয়ার কারণ আছে বৈকি।
রবিনহুডের সবচেয়ে কাছের বন্ধু লিটল জন। তার সাথে বন্ধুত্বের এই গল্পের সূচনা সুখকর ছিল না। ঝগড়া দিয়ে শুরু হলেও পরের সময়গুলো রবিনের ছায়া হয়ে ছিল সবসময়। বন্ধুর জন্য কোনো কিছুর পরোয়া করত না সে। একইভাবে স্কারলেট, উইল, অ্যাডেল, মা��চের মতো শিষ্যও ছিল তার। যারা রবিনহুডের এক কথায় যেমন হাসতে হাসতে জীবন দিতে পারত, তেমনই তাদের জন্যও রবিন নিজেকে উৎসর্গ করতে পারত। গুরু-শিষ্যদের এমন মধুর বন্ধন যেন সবকিছুকে ছড়িয়ে গিয়েছে।
কিন্তু এই বন্ধনের দৃঢ়তা যে কিছু মানুষের কপালে চিন্তার ভাঁজ ফেলে দিয়েছে। আর ফেলবে না-ই বা কেন? গরীবদের শোষণ করে, অন্যায় করে যে তারা আজ দেশের মাথা! তাদের সেই মাথার তাজ অন্যের জন্য বোঝা। সেই ভার কমানোর চেষ্টা যে করে রবিনহুডের দল। এতে নটিংহাম শহরের শেরিফ উপায় খুঁজতে লেগেছে কী করে রবিনহুডকে সমূলে উপড়ে ফেলা যায়। চেষ্টার কোনো ত্রুটি থাকে না। কখনো সন্ন্যাসী বেশে কাউকে পাঠিয়ে, কখনো গুপ্ত ঘাতকের সাথে ফন্দি করে রবিনহুডের ইতি টানতে চেয়েছিল। কিন্তু রবিনের মহানুভবতায় এত মুগ্ধতা ছড়ায়, সেখানে যার সাধ্য তার অনিষ্ট করে?
তাই বলে কি রবিনহুড অপ্রতিরোধ্য? কখনো এমন সময় আসে যখন সবদিক দিয়ে পথ বন্ধ হয়ে যায়। শেরউড বন রবিনের বাড়ি। সেই বাড়ি থেকে চলে গেলে কি সে বাঁচতে পারবে? ওদিকে শেরিফ আর তার দলবল মুহুর্মুহু আক্রমন সাজাচ্ছে। রবিনকে যে থামাতেই হবে। কীভাবে বাঁচবে সে? না-কি নিঃশেষ হয়ে যাবে? রবিনহুডদের মতো মানুষের কি আদৌ শেষ বলে কিছু থাকে?
▪️পাঠ প্রতিক্রিয়া :
রবিনহুডের গল্প পড়েছিলাম সেই ছোটো থাকতে, অনেক অনেক বছর আগে। যার অনেক কিছুই মনে নেই। ভাসাভাসা কিছু কাহিনি এখনো মস্তিষ্ক ধারণ করে আছে। সেই মস্তিষ্কে শান দিলো নটিলাস থেকে আসা নতুন রূপে “রবিনহুড”-এর গল্প।
প্রায় ১১০ বছর আগে কুলদারঞ্জন রায় সাধু ভাষায় অনুবাদ বা রূপান্তর হিসেবে প্রকাশ্যে এনেছিলেন এই রবিনহুডকে। যাকে চলিত ভাষায় নতুন করে পূর্ণতা দিয়েছেন ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ। তিনি নতুন করে তিনটি গল্প যুক্তের পাশাপাশি শেষাংশে কিছু পরিবর্তন এনেছেন। যা আরও বেশি সুখপাঠ্য করে তোলে। যদিও অনেক আগে পড়া বইটির কাহিনি স্মৃতির অতলে তলিয়ে গিয়েছে, তাই ধরতে পারিনি সেসব।
সে যাই হোক, রবিনহুডের এই সংস্করণ আমার ভীষন ভালো লেগেছে। আমিও যেন হারিয়ে গিয়েছিলাম শেরউড বোনের সবুজে ঘেরা প্রকৃতিতে। আমিও যেন অন্যায়ের প্রতিবাদে মত্ত রবিনহুড দলের একজন সদস্য হয়ে উঠেছিলাম। হরিণের মাংস দিয়ে খাওয়া, তিরন্দাজ প্রতিযোগিতায় অংশ নেওয়া কিংবা বিভিন্ন অভিযানে শামিল হয়ে উপভোগ করেছি বেশ।
রবিনহুড দলের পোশাকের বর্ণনা যেমন ভালো ছিল, তেমনই ভালো ছিল যুদ্ধের বর্ণনাগুলো। তাদের অভিযানগুলো ফুটে উঠেছিল দারুণভাবে। যে কৌশলে তারা তাদের অভিযান পরিচালনা করত, ভীষণ উপভোগ করেছি। এক শিঙ্গায় ফু দেওয়াতে দলবলদের ছুটে আসত মতো বন্ধন আর কোথায় দেখানো যাবে? এই বইটির সবচেয়ে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অংশ আমার মনে হয়েছে এমন সব বন্ধুত্বের কথা। কতটা দৃঢ় বন্ধন হলে শেষ সময়েও এভাবে ছুটে আসা যায় শুধু একজনের এক ডাকে!
এখানে প্রেম-ভালোবাসাও স্থান পেয়েছে দারুণভাবে। ম্যারিয়ানের ভালোবাসা এখানে প্রধান ও মুখ্য। আছে সাহসী ভূমিকাও। সব কিছু ছাপিয়ে “রবিনহুড” এমন এক গল্প, যা যেকোনো সময়ের জন্য প্রিয় হয়ে উঠবে।
▪️প্রচ্ছদ, সম্পাদনা ও অন্যান্য :
প্রচ্ছদটা ভীষণ পছন্দ হয়েছে। সবুজ অবয়বটা যেন শেরউড বনের প্রকৃতিকে প্রতিনিধিত্ব করে। সাদা অংশ যেন বোঝায় রবিন হুডের স্বচ্ছতা। আর রবিনহুড তো আছেই! আলো আঁধারিতে তির নিয়ে দাঁড়িয়ে।
সম্পাদনা ঠিকঠাক। বানান ভুল তেমন চোখে পড়েনি। তবে যেহেতু সাধু থেকে চলিত ভাষায় প্রতিস্থাপন করা হয়েছে, দুয়েকটা সাধু ভাষা ছিল।
বাঁধাই থেকে শুরু করে আনুষঙ্গিক অন্যান্য কাজও ঠিকঠাক লেগেছে। মোটামুটি সবকিছুই যথাযথ
▪️পরিশেষে, রবিনহুড বাস্তব, না কাল্পনিক? রবিনহুড এক কিংবদন্তি। যে যুগে যুগে আসে অন্যায়ের বিরুদ্ধে নিজের অবস্থান জানান দিতে। গরীবের হক আদায়ে নিজেকে সঁপে দিয়ে যায়। যার গল্পের ভান্ডার অফুরান। গরীব, দুঃখীদের জন্য যে নিজেকে উৎসর্গ করে। আর ধনীদের ক্ষেত্রে? যমের দুয়ার খুলে যায় সেখানে।
▪️বই : রবিনহুড
▪️লেখক : কুলদারঞ্জন রায় ও ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ
▪️প্রকাশনী : নটিলাস
▪️পৃষ্ঠা সংখ্যা : ১৭৪
▪️মুদ্রিত মূল্য : ৩৫০ টাকা
▪️ ব্যক্তিগত রেটিং : ৪.২/৫
যুগে যুগে অন্যায়ের বিরুদ্ধে রুখে দাঁড়ানোর জন্য অসংখ্য মহাপুরুষের আবির্ভাব হয়েছিল। যারা মানবতার কথা বলে, সাধারণ মানুষের জন্য ছুটে হলে। তেমনই এক মানুষ রবিনহুড।
প্রায় বারোশ বছর পূর্বের এক সময়কাল, যখন চলছিল রাজা হেনরির রাজত্ব। ইংল্যান্ডের লক্সলি শহরে জন্ম নেয় রবার্ট ফিটজুথ নামের এক শিশু। সময়ের সাথে সাথে জীবনের পরিক্রমায় আসে পরিবর্তন। শিশুকালেই বাবাকে হারিয়ে অনাথ হয়ে যাওয়া রবার্ট মানুষ হয় চাচার কাছে। ছোটবেলা থেকেই তির-ধনুক হাতে বিস্ময়ের জন্ম দেওয়া এই যুবক নিজের অজান্তেই একটি ভুল করে ফেলল। তখনকার সময়ে রাজা ব্যতীত কোনো বন্য প্রাণী হত্যা কিংবা শিকার ছিল দণ্ডনীয় অপরাধ। অন্যের প্ররোচনা বা নিজের শ্রেষ্ঠত্ব প্রমাণের তাগিদে সেই ভুল করে রবার্ট। একটি হরিণের প্রাণ হরণের দায়ে তাকে খুঁজে বেড়ায় বনের রক্ষীরা। সেখান থেকে প্রাণ বাঁচিয়ে ডাকাতদের এক ডেরায় উপস্থিত হয় সে। এই ভুল করার আগে তার লক্ষ্য ছিল নটিংহামের তিরন্দাজ প্রতিযোগিতায় অংশ নেওয়া। ডাকাতদের সেই ডেরা tথেকে ছদ্মবেশে সেই প্রতিযোগিতায় যায় সে। যদি জিততে পারে, তবে এই ডাকাতেরা তাকেই নেতা হিসেবে মেনে নিবে। তিরের সাথে যার সখ্যতা, সে কি এত সহজে হার মানে? মাথায় হুড চাপিয়ে সে প্রতিযোগিতা জিতে বীরের বেশে ফিরে আসে। রবিনহুড নামের এক কিংবদন্তির গল্পের শুরু সেখান থেকেই….
শেরউড বনে একচ্ছত্র আধিপত্য বিস্তার করে রবিনহুডের ডাকাতদল। যারা অন্যায়ভাবে অন্যের সম্পদ কেড়ে প্রভাবশালী হয়েছে, তাদের উপযুক্ত শাস্তির বিধান করা-ই তার কাজ। কিন্তু দলে তো আরো শক্তিশালী মানুষের প্রয়োজন। শক্তিশালী, কর্মঠ, অস্ত্রবিদ্যায় পারদর্শী সকল মানুষকে নিয়ে এমন এক দল গড়ে তোলে যাদের ভয়ে কেঁপে ওঠে পুরো নটিংহাম। অবশ্যই যারা সম্পদের পাহাড় গড়েছে তাদের ভীত হওয়ার কারণ আছে বৈকি।
রবিনহুডের সবচেয়ে কাছের বন্ধু লিটল জন। তার সাথে বন্ধুত্বের এই গল্পের সূচনা সুখকর ছিল না। ঝগড়া দিয়ে শুরু হলেও পরের সময়গুলো রবিনের ছায়া হয়ে ছিল সবসময়। বন্ধুর জন্য কোনো কিছুর পরোয়া করত না সে। একইভাবে স্কারলেট, উইল, অ্যাডেল, মা��চের মতো শিষ্যও ছিল তার। যারা রবিনহুডের এক কথায় যেমন হাসতে হাসতে জীবন দিতে পারত, তেমনই তাদের জন্যও রবিন নিজেকে উৎসর্গ করতে পারত। গুরু-শিষ্যদের এমন মধুর বন্ধন যেন সবকিছুকে ছড়িয়ে গিয়েছে।
কিন্তু এই বন্ধনের দৃঢ়তা যে কিছু মানুষের কপালে চিন্তার ভাঁজ ফেলে দিয়েছে। আর ফেলবে না-ই বা কেন? গরীবদের শোষণ করে, অন্যায় করে যে তারা আজ দেশের মাথা! তাদের সেই মাথার তাজ অন্যের জন্য বোঝা। সেই ভার কমানোর চেষ্টা যে করে রবিনহুডের দল। এতে নটিংহাম শহরের শেরিফ উপায় খুঁজতে লেগেছে কী করে রবিনহুডকে সমূলে উপড়ে ফেলা যায়। চেষ্টার কোনো ত্রুটি থাকে না। কখনো সন্ন্যাসী বেশে কাউকে পাঠিয়ে, কখনো গুপ্ত ঘাতকের সাথে ফন্দি করে রবিনহুডের ইতি টানতে চেয়েছিল। কিন্তু রবিনের মহানুভবতায় এত মুগ্ধতা ছড়ায়, সেখানে যার সাধ্য তার অনিষ্ট করে?
তাই বলে কি রবিনহুড অপ্রতিরোধ্য? কখনো এমন সময় আসে যখন সবদিক দিয়ে পথ বন্ধ হয়ে যায়। শেরউড বন রবিনের বাড়ি। সেই বাড়ি থেকে চলে গেলে কি সে বাঁচতে পারবে? ওদিকে শেরিফ আর তার দলবল মুহুর্মুহু আক্রমন সাজাচ্ছে। রবিনকে যে থামাতেই হবে। কীভাবে বাঁচবে সে? না-কি নিঃশেষ হয়ে যাবে? রবিনহুডদের মতো মানুষের কি আদৌ শেষ বলে কিছু থাকে?
▪️পাঠ প্রতিক্রিয়া :
রবিনহুডের গল্প পড়েছিলাম সেই ছোটো থাকতে, অনেক অনেক বছর আগে। যার অনেক কিছুই মনে নেই। ভাসাভাসা কিছু কাহিনি এখনো মস্তিষ্ক ধারণ করে আছে। সেই মস্তিষ্কে শান দিলো নটিলাস থেকে আসা নতুন রূপে “রবিনহুড”-এর গল্প।
প্রায় ১১০ বছর আগে কুলদারঞ্জন রায় সাধু ভাষায় অনুবাদ বা রূপান্তর হিসেবে প্রকাশ্যে এনেছিলেন এই রবিনহুডকে। যাকে চলিত ভাষায় নতুন করে পূর্ণতা দিয়েছেন ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ। তিনি নতুন করে তিনটি গল্প যুক্তের পাশাপাশি শেষাংশে কিছু পরিবর্তন এনেছেন। যা আরও বেশি সুখপাঠ্য করে তোলে। যদিও অনেক আগে পড়া বইটির কাহিনি স্মৃতির অতলে তলিয়ে গিয়েছে, তাই ধরতে পারিনি সেসব।
সে যাই হোক, রবিনহুডের এই সংস্করণ আমার ভীষন ভালো লেগেছে। আমিও যেন হারিয়ে গিয়েছিলাম শেরউড বোনের সবুজে ঘেরা প্রকৃতিতে। আমিও যেন অন্যায়ের প্রতিবাদে মত্ত রবিনহুড দলের একজন সদস্য হয়ে উঠেছিলাম। হরিণের মাংস দিয়ে খাওয়া, তিরন্দাজ প্রতিযোগিতায় অংশ নেওয়া কিংবা বিভিন্ন অভিযানে শামিল হয়ে উপভোগ করেছি বেশ।
রবিনহুড দলের পোশাকের বর্ণনা যেমন ভালো ছিল, তেমনই ভালো ছিল যুদ্ধের বর্ণনাগুলো। তাদের অভিযানগুলো ফুটে উঠেছিল দারুণভাবে। যে কৌশলে তারা তাদের অভিযান পরিচালনা করত, ভীষণ উপভোগ করেছি। এক শিঙ্গায় ফু দেওয়াতে দলবলদের ছুটে আসত মতো বন্ধন আর কোথায় দেখানো যাবে? এই বইটির সবচেয়ে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অংশ আমার মনে হয়েছে এমন সব বন্ধুত্বের কথা। কতটা দৃঢ় বন্ধন হলে শেষ সময়েও এভাবে ছুটে আসা যায় শুধু একজনের এক ডাকে!
এখানে প্রেম-ভালোবাসাও স্থান পেয়েছে দারুণভাবে। ম্যারিয়ানের ভালোবাসা এখানে প্রধান ও মুখ্য। আছে সাহসী ভূমিকাও। সব কিছু ছাপিয়ে “রবিনহুড” এমন এক গল্প, যা যেকোনো সময়ের জন্য প্রিয় হয়ে উঠবে।
▪️প্রচ্ছদ, সম্পাদনা ও অন্যান্য :
প্রচ্ছদটা ভীষণ পছন্দ হয়েছে। সবুজ অবয়বটা যেন শেরউড বনের প্রকৃতিকে প্রতিনিধিত্ব করে। সাদা অংশ যেন বোঝায় রবিন হুডের স্বচ্ছতা। আর রবিনহুড তো আছেই! আলো আঁধারিতে তির নিয়ে দাঁড়িয়ে।
সম্পাদনা ঠিকঠাক। বানান ভুল তেমন চোখে পড়েনি। তবে যেহেতু সাধু থেকে চলিত ভাষায় প্রতিস্থাপন করা হয়েছে, দুয়েকটা সাধু ভাষা ছিল।
বাঁধাই থেকে শুরু করে আনুষঙ্গিক অন্যান্য কাজও ঠিকঠাক লেগেছে। মোটামুটি সবকিছুই যথাযথ
▪️পরিশেষে, রবিনহুড বাস্তব, না কাল্পনিক? রবিনহুড এক কিংবদন্তি। যে যুগে যুগে আসে অন্যায়ের বিরুদ্ধে নিজের অবস্থান জানান দিতে। গরীবের হক আদায়ে নিজেকে সঁপে দিয়ে যায়। যার গল্পের ভান্ডার অফুরান। গরীব, দুঃখীদের জন্য যে নিজেকে উৎসর্গ করে। আর ধনীদের ক্ষেত্রে? যমের দুয়ার খুলে যায় সেখানে।
▪️বই : রবিনহুড
▪️লেখক : কুলদারঞ্জন রায় ও ফুয়াদ আল ফিদাহ
▪️প্রকাশনী : নটিলাস
▪️পৃষ্ঠা সংখ্যা : ১৭৪
▪️মুদ্রিত মূল্য : ৩৫০ টাকা
▪️ ব্যক্তিগত রেটিং : ৪.২/৫
March 2, 2019
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood is a magnificent book of small stories. One will discover this book gives an ocean of emotions and entertainment. Some of the adventures you will laugh at because of the hilarious mischievous side to Robin Hood and his band of merry men. If you want amusement and laughter this is an excellent book. Adventurous trips are also plentiful in this book. Some may want blood and guts adventure but this book provides more of innocent adventures that include wit, charm, strategy, and deception.
February 9, 2023
2 stars because there were some enjoyable parts, but I ultimately felt pretty "meh" about it.
Note: I listened to this on audio book.
I was somewhat disappointed in this book. I had hoped it would be a lot more fun that it was, and it was fun in some places, but in others it was, IMO, boring/unneeded, and there were things about the writing style that drove me absolutely bonkers.
Things started out pretty well. I thought the way the narrator talks to the reader in the prologue and asks you to take his hand so he can lead you on this adventure was rather charming.
But by the epilogue when the narrator releases your hand to go your separate ways, I was pretty much ready to move on.
I’m sad that I felt that way because this book is a classic and Robin Hood was in interesting character, but WOW it was way longer than it needed to be. Like I said above, there were some fun parts. I enjoyed the episodic events that I would say are the most familiar to the general public: Robin Hood and Little John’s first meeting, the various archery tournaments, and King Richard pardoning Robin Hood.
I also enjoyed the few chapters that involved Queen Elanor (sp?). While I wasn’t previously familiar with her involvement in the story it was just really nice to have a female character who actually did something. (Speaking of female characters, I don’t think I heard a single mention of Maid Marion in the entire story and I was disappointed by that.)
On the other side of things, however, many of the episodic events in this story were repetitive to the point of becoming predictable and boring: You know how Robin Hood and Little John actually fought each other when they first met? Well, it turns out that happened with quite a few of the other merry men, too. It seemed like nearly everyone they met in Sherwood forest either fought Robin or Little John with staffs, or competed with one or the other in archery, or a battle of wits. I just got tired of it quickly, and it even reached a point where my brain was totally tuning out while I listened, but when I tuned back in, I didn’t feel like I had missed anything because the same kind of things kept happening.
And then there were the songs. I don’t mind songs or poetry being featured in stories in general. Sometimes I really enjoy them, like in Tolkien’s writing, and he certainly had plenty of songd in his books. But what I need from songs in stories is for them to either build the characters, build the world, or move the story along. In general, the songs sung by the characters in this book did none of these things and they were also way too long. For example, there was one point where some of the characters just wanted to compare their singing voices and the songs they knew, and the reader has to sit through three different characters singing three different songs. Not little samples of songs, mind you, they sang the ENTIRE SONGS and the songs were just merry little tunes about silly things that had nothing to do with actual story.
Then there was a point where Robin and his men spied on Friar Tuck when he was sitting under a tree drinking and talking to himself like he was two different people having a conversation, and then those “two people” decided to sing a song where one “person” sang one part the other “person” sang the replying parts. It was funny at first and did build his character a little, but then he Just. Kept. Singing. It truly reached a point where, when someone started singing, I automatically hit fast forward because I didn’t care anymore.
And the writing. I don't mind pretty prose, but this was flowery to an extreme, not to mention that there were so many repetitive descriptors. Nearly every character was described as “merry” at some point in the book, and if I ever hear someone described as “lusty” or “saucy” again, I will scream and throw things.
By the time I reached the epilogue I was so ready to finish the story, but it wasn’t even over yet. The epilogue was actually twenty minutes long on audio and detailed the end of Robin Hood’s life, which I wasn’t expecting. It was pretty sad what happened to him too, because after escaping his enemies so many times
What a way to go. :/ I did, however, find myself liking Robin as a person even more than before after this, because even as he died he was compassionate towards those who did him wrong. Though I would have preferred to finish things on a positive note rather than learning how Robin Hood died, his attitude of forgiveness even in the face of death meant a lot to me and it earned him a lot of respect in my eyes.
All of that said, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I had hoped to. I didn’t hate it and didn’t find anything outright objectionable in it, but I just don't have particularly fuzzy feelings toward it. Seeing how I got so tired of it at one point that I wasn’t sure I wanted to finish it, I'm going with 2 stars since it was just "okay."
Content advisory for those who want to know: I believe that, technically, this book is considered a children’s classic. There was no sexual content in this book that I can recall. There was lots of fighting, some killing, and some brief mentions of blood, but the descriptions of this violence were very flowery (like the rest of the book) and not graphic or intense. There is also quite a bit of drinking of ale and other alcoholic beverages that goes on throughout and people rarely seem to suffer ill-effects from it.
Note: I listened to this on audio book.
I was somewhat disappointed in this book. I had hoped it would be a lot more fun that it was, and it was fun in some places, but in others it was, IMO, boring/unneeded, and there were things about the writing style that drove me absolutely bonkers.
Things started out pretty well. I thought the way the narrator talks to the reader in the prologue and asks you to take his hand so he can lead you on this adventure was rather charming.
But by the epilogue when the narrator releases your hand to go your separate ways, I was pretty much ready to move on.
I’m sad that I felt that way because this book is a classic and Robin Hood was in interesting character, but WOW it was way longer than it needed to be. Like I said above, there were some fun parts. I enjoyed the episodic events that I would say are the most familiar to the general public: Robin Hood and Little John’s first meeting, the various archery tournaments, and King Richard pardoning Robin Hood.
I also enjoyed the few chapters that involved Queen Elanor (sp?). While I wasn’t previously familiar with her involvement in the story it was just really nice to have a female character who actually did something. (Speaking of female characters, I don’t think I heard a single mention of Maid Marion in the entire story and I was disappointed by that.)
On the other side of things, however, many of the episodic events in this story were repetitive to the point of becoming predictable and boring: You know how Robin Hood and Little John actually fought each other when they first met? Well, it turns out that happened with quite a few of the other merry men, too. It seemed like nearly everyone they met in Sherwood forest either fought Robin or Little John with staffs, or competed with one or the other in archery, or a battle of wits. I just got tired of it quickly, and it even reached a point where my brain was totally tuning out while I listened, but when I tuned back in, I didn’t feel like I had missed anything because the same kind of things kept happening.
And then there were the songs. I don’t mind songs or poetry being featured in stories in general. Sometimes I really enjoy them, like in Tolkien’s writing, and he certainly had plenty of songd in his books. But what I need from songs in stories is for them to either build the characters, build the world, or move the story along. In general, the songs sung by the characters in this book did none of these things and they were also way too long. For example, there was one point where some of the characters just wanted to compare their singing voices and the songs they knew, and the reader has to sit through three different characters singing three different songs. Not little samples of songs, mind you, they sang the ENTIRE SONGS and the songs were just merry little tunes about silly things that had nothing to do with actual story.
Then there was a point where Robin and his men spied on Friar Tuck when he was sitting under a tree drinking and talking to himself like he was two different people having a conversation, and then those “two people” decided to sing a song where one “person” sang one part the other “person” sang the replying parts. It was funny at first and did build his character a little, but then he Just. Kept. Singing. It truly reached a point where, when someone started singing, I automatically hit fast forward because I didn’t care anymore.
And the writing. I don't mind pretty prose, but this was flowery to an extreme, not to mention that there were so many repetitive descriptors. Nearly every character was described as “merry” at some point in the book, and if I ever hear someone described as “lusty” or “saucy” again, I will scream and throw things.
By the time I reached the epilogue I was so ready to finish the story, but it wasn’t even over yet. The epilogue was actually twenty minutes long on audio and detailed the end of Robin Hood’s life, which I wasn’t expecting. It was pretty sad what happened to him too, because after escaping his enemies so many times
What a way to go. :/ I did, however, find myself liking Robin as a person even more than before after this, because even as he died he was compassionate towards those who did him wrong. Though I would have preferred to finish things on a positive note rather than learning how Robin Hood died, his attitude of forgiveness even in the face of death meant a lot to me and it earned him a lot of respect in my eyes.
All of that said, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I had hoped to. I didn’t hate it and didn’t find anything outright objectionable in it, but I just don't have particularly fuzzy feelings toward it. Seeing how I got so tired of it at one point that I wasn’t sure I wanted to finish it, I'm going with 2 stars since it was just "okay."
Content advisory for those who want to know: I believe that, technically, this book is considered a children’s classic. There was no sexual content in this book that I can recall. There was lots of fighting, some killing, and some brief mentions of blood, but the descriptions of this violence were very flowery (like the rest of the book) and not graphic or intense. There is also quite a bit of drinking of ale and other alcoholic beverages that goes on throughout and people rarely seem to suffer ill-effects from it.
September 20, 2024
This was not at all what I was expecting! Apparently someone took very creative liberties with the movie plot. However, I did enjoy the read, and I appreciated Robin Hood’s humanity. He was a legend of his time, yet was never ashamed to yield when bested. Of course, everything is done in the merriest of spirits, because, you know, Robin and his merry men. It brought a certain camaraderie and lightheartedness to the chapters and a somber contrast to the epilogue.
As a classic, this was a beautiful work of art that I think everyone should experience at some point in their life.
As a classic, this was a beautiful work of art that I think everyone should experience at some point in their life.
November 21, 2009
Read this for my Robin Hood module, as with Ivanhoe. This is the second book which I just couldn't read as anything but an English Literature student; my lit student hat remained firmly jammed upon my head. It pains me to read other people's reviews and thoughts on this, given that they're so wildly inaccurate about it. E.g. someone thinking it was "the" book of Robin Hood (and not knowing about the ballad tradition, or the forerunners to this such as Ivanhoe). Or someone thinking it's written in Old English (see also: my review of Ivanhoe). Seriously, no, guys. It's not even Middle English. It's faux-Middle English in parts, but it isn't even that old a text, for God's sake. Even Shakespeare (late 1500s/early 1600s) was writing in Modern English. This was written in 1883 or so, right? About as Anglo-Saxon as what I'm writing right now!
And then people thinking this is "the" book, the original. Sheesh.
Obviously, a lot of the stories come straight from the surviving ballads -- perhaps all; I haven't read every single Robin Hood ballad. They're expanded upon by Howard Pyle, in that he writes them out as a coherent narrative and with all the same characters recurring, and obviously it's not in verse. It's a pretty sanitised version, given that Robin rarely kills as an outlaw: once when he becomes an outlaw (as opposed to the fifteen he kills in the original ballad, Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham) and once when he kills Guy of Gisborne (and unlike in the ballad, he doesn't cut Guy's face off). It wasn't obvious that it was an adaptation for children, from the language -- it's not exactly difficult, but nor is it easy or exciting. Still, in the time period, perhaps that's not surprising. (I should have some basis of comparison, given my Introduction to Children's Literature course, but I can't bring anything to mind right now.) The sanitisation gave it away rather, in any case.
I did get kind of bored reading it, honestly. Each tale is more or less the same -- they're practically all "Robin meets his match" stories, and at the end the stout yeoman will join the band. The writing isn't intensely exciting, as I mentioned. I did enjoy it, and possibly would have enjoyed it more in small doses. And, of course, it's very episodic so it can easily be read in small chunks.
It's, ah, one of the more 'homosocial' Robin Hood stories I've read, honestly. There are two or three mentions of Marian, at most, and she doesn't come into it as a character at all -- I half-expected a chapter that came from Robin Hood and Maid Marian. And Will Scarlet is so very, very camp. And Little John and Robin are so very very close. It kind of read like a slashfic of Robin Hood, sometimes.
I will confess, the epilogue made me want to cry. Oh, Robin. Incidentally, apparently tales of Robin's death are quite rare, and this is one of the few.
(Note: If anyone wants links to the ballads, or indeed, this book, online, I know where the book can be downloaded legally as an ebook, and where the ballads are collected online.)
And then people thinking this is "the" book, the original. Sheesh.
Obviously, a lot of the stories come straight from the surviving ballads -- perhaps all; I haven't read every single Robin Hood ballad. They're expanded upon by Howard Pyle, in that he writes them out as a coherent narrative and with all the same characters recurring, and obviously it's not in verse. It's a pretty sanitised version, given that Robin rarely kills as an outlaw: once when he becomes an outlaw (as opposed to the fifteen he kills in the original ballad, Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham) and once when he kills Guy of Gisborne (and unlike in the ballad, he doesn't cut Guy's face off). It wasn't obvious that it was an adaptation for children, from the language -- it's not exactly difficult, but nor is it easy or exciting. Still, in the time period, perhaps that's not surprising. (I should have some basis of comparison, given my Introduction to Children's Literature course, but I can't bring anything to mind right now.) The sanitisation gave it away rather, in any case.
I did get kind of bored reading it, honestly. Each tale is more or less the same -- they're practically all "Robin meets his match" stories, and at the end the stout yeoman will join the band. The writing isn't intensely exciting, as I mentioned. I did enjoy it, and possibly would have enjoyed it more in small doses. And, of course, it's very episodic so it can easily be read in small chunks.
It's, ah, one of the more 'homosocial' Robin Hood stories I've read, honestly. There are two or three mentions of Marian, at most, and she doesn't come into it as a character at all -- I half-expected a chapter that came from Robin Hood and Maid Marian. And Will Scarlet is so very, very camp. And Little John and Robin are so very very close. It kind of read like a slashfic of Robin Hood, sometimes.
I will confess, the epilogue made me want to cry. Oh, Robin. Incidentally, apparently tales of Robin's death are quite rare, and this is one of the few.
(Note: If anyone wants links to the ballads, or indeed, this book, online, I know where the book can be downloaded legally as an ebook, and where the ballads are collected online.)
January 8, 2010
At my high school, I have to read 500 pages worth of classic books. I'm not the kind of girl to fawn over Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre. I wanted an interesting classic, so I picked up Robin Hood (because who doesn't like him?) I was especially drawn to him thanks to a recent viewing of Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Thank you, Mel Brooks.
Anyway. Back to the book. I was concerned about the whole "steals from the rich and give to the needy" at first because the whole premise seemed to be this: Robin meets a strong stranger. They fight until Robin is overcome. Robin toots his bugle to get his merry men to come. Robin asks the stranger to become part of his band. Stranger accepts. They get drunk. The End.
The characters were actually pretty diverse and entertaining. I think the constant meeting of new characters helped the story because we would learn a person's story every few pages and then see how Robin and Little John either tried to help them or asked them to join their band.
And there was some action, too! I guess that's kind of obvious. The villains constantly getting outsmarted is always fun to see. You can't help but want to laugh at them and say "Didn't you learn the last time?"
If anyone else has to read classics for school, this is a good one. They do talk a little funny and it's a tad hard to understand at times, but you get used to the rhythm quickly.
Anyway. Back to the book. I was concerned about the whole "steals from the rich and give to the needy" at first because the whole premise seemed to be this: Robin meets a strong stranger. They fight until Robin is overcome. Robin toots his bugle to get his merry men to come. Robin asks the stranger to become part of his band. Stranger accepts. They get drunk. The End.
The characters were actually pretty diverse and entertaining. I think the constant meeting of new characters helped the story because we would learn a person's story every few pages and then see how Robin and Little John either tried to help them or asked them to join their band.
And there was some action, too! I guess that's kind of obvious. The villains constantly getting outsmarted is always fun to see. You can't help but want to laugh at them and say "Didn't you learn the last time?"
If anyone else has to read classics for school, this is a good one. They do talk a little funny and it's a tad hard to understand at times, but you get used to the rhythm quickly.
April 22, 2020
Read aloud to the kids for school. This was a challenge to read out loud because of the old language, but I’m so glad we persevered. It was like struggling up a steep mountain and then looking back on the journey, seeing how far we’ve come and enjoying the amazing view from the top. We grew to love merry Robin and his yeomen, all clad in Lincoln green, and we were sad to say goodbye to their many adventures.
January 29, 2017
There were three morals to this story: 1) If you change clothes or put on a hood, no one will recognize you; 2) If you fight a guy for half an hour and don't beat him, invite him to join your merry men; and 3) Never trust bloodletting to your cousin.
September 17, 2017
I read this book several times as a child, and it was fun to revisit it via this excellent audiobook. Christopher Cazenove does a brilliant job of narrating it.
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