Reviews

The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green

Only show reviews with written explanations

compass_rose's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this, as did the 8yo I read it aloud to. A true adventure at times, reading fast to see what happens. A good one aloud because you can really get into the excitement with your voice. I especially liked the chapter "The Rescue of Will Scarlet" and the Epilogue. I was very satisfied with the character of Maid Marion, though I wish she had more appearances. Likewise the other women in the book. All were strong and had dimension. The characters, I thought, were well-developed, despite some only appearing in a handful of pages. I recommend! It has set us on a course for studying all thing Medieval England.

melisacabelloc's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I was waiting for Marian's death but okay

rainbowdarling's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

nakedcardboard's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

A beautifully rendered tale of Robin Hood pieced together from a variety of folk poems and ballads, updated from Olde English, and weaved into a single coherent narrative. Though there is no one "canonical" text for Robin Hood, I feel like this one does justice to the spirit of the story by utilizing these original sources and not (seemingly) straying too far from them. As a result, each chapter reads like a tiny adventure on its own, roughly tied together with the chapter in front and behind. This made it an easy book to read, as there was little fear you might lose a thread.

My experience with Robin Hood is almost entirely formed by Hollywood and Disney. Though there is no "canonical" text for the story, I walked away from Lancelyn Green's novel feeling as though I learned something new about the legend of Robin Hood. Is there any basis in truth for these tales? History.com writes "English legal records suggest that, as early as the 13th century, Robehod, Rabunhod and other variations had become common epithets for criminals. But what had inspired these nicknames: a fictional tale, an infamous bandit or an amalgam of both?"

We're unlikely to ever know, but this is part of the mystery that makes Robin Hood so enticing, and has allowed for so many interpretations (for good or for bad). Going back to something closer to the original tales, however, was a pleasant and enlightening escape.

neddasai's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

So, here I go. The Adventures of Robin Hood. A children's classic. It was a fun read, and I really enjoyed it. It was quite well written, taken, as much as possible, from old ballads and plays about Robin Hood, who is a classic character for many reasons. He's been around forever.

Lancelyn Green follows the general consensus of Robin Hood folklore in placing him in the time of King Richard I, the Lion Heart, who went away on a crusade and landed in prison on his way home. With the king thus indisposed, his wicked brother Prince John seized power and instituted a corrupt reign of terror, aided by such cronies as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Sir Guy of Gisborne, and the Bishop of Peterborough. Something I learned was that it is believed that Robin Hood was an actual person. Maybe that's common knowledge, but I didn't know that.

I found what I had expected when I started the book. I know the story. Nevertheless, I loved it. Sure, yes, I know the story of this man and how he steals from the rich to help the poor, how he is devoted to King Richard, and loves his Maid Marian. However, it was still so entertaining. it is full with the legend born in Sherwood Forest and with the story of how Robin helped others with this band of merry men. The author was detailed in the description of characters and settings. Lancelyn Green loved to tell stories especially about legends and myths. He wrote the stories of Robin Hood in many variations using both old and new English.

Pretty startling, though, was the ending when we read of Robin Hood's death. Oh, now, that was sad for me. What? Robin Hood dies? Well, of course, I guess. He's not a super hero, certainly not immortal by any means, but in my mind, he was. He fights the good fight. He's great to his people and is always protecting them from the sheriff of Nottingham. He out fights, out wits, out runs, and out does everyone in just about everything. So, when he dies, I was shocked! And sad.

Nevertheless, a very fun read and one I'm looking forward to re-reading again.