Scan barcode
A review by cincinnerdy
Hood by Stephen R. Lawhead
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This novel came to me from a used bookstore. The cover was not particularly attention-grabbing, but what made me instantly put the book in my basket without a second thought was the blurb which classified this as an imaginative retelling of the Robin Hood legend. I absolutely love a good reinvention that adds depth and perspective to an otherwise diluted story.
What really made me enjoy this book was how the author transposed the familiar story into a different time and place entirely – the ancient Welsh setting and historical context enhanced the flavor of the narrative and rooted the story with a splash of realism.
However, I will not lie: this book was slooow out the gate. I would take the not-particularly-long chapters one day at a time, and I felt like I was absolutely crawling through it. There was little action to hold my attention span, but what ultimately kept me around was the interesting main character of Bran ap Brychan (both his development and plot journey) and the author's rich prose. Some people find overly descriptive writing to be mud through which the reader must trudge, but I disagree. I am of the opinion that there is a stark difference between a novelist and a writer. A good novelist knows how to whet the appetite, throw curveballs, and leave you pawing for the next page and begging for a sequel. A good author, alternatively, knows how to paint with words, craft passages, and leave you rereading a sentence just because you enjoyed how it sounded and lingered in the air.
This being my first time reading a Stephen Lawhead novel, I believe he is a good author: No, this novel was not exceptionally riveting (it is but the first of three, which introduces Bran's revenge, sets the stage for later conflict, and assembles the cast of characters) - But YES, I enjoyed the writing and the development. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't boring by any means! There were absolutely entertaining bits left and right, and I very much enjoyed Lawhead's commitment to descriptions of war violence (which brings that much more weight and grit). However, I struggled with and grew weary from trying to follow the French political angles; who had conquered whom, and who was lord over which faction, and which ruler had more power than others, etc.
At the end of the day, YES I picked up the sequel. I can't not find out what happens!
What really made me enjoy this book was how the author transposed the familiar story into a different time and place entirely – the ancient Welsh setting and historical context enhanced the flavor of the narrative and rooted the story with a splash of realism.
However, I will not lie: this book was slooow out the gate. I would take the not-particularly-long chapters one day at a time, and I felt like I was absolutely crawling through it. There was little action to hold my attention span, but what ultimately kept me around was the interesting main character of Bran ap Brychan (both his development and plot journey) and the author's rich prose. Some people find overly descriptive writing to be mud through which the reader must trudge, but I disagree. I am of the opinion that there is a stark difference between a novelist and a writer. A good novelist knows how to whet the appetite, throw curveballs, and leave you pawing for the next page and begging for a sequel. A good author, alternatively, knows how to paint with words, craft passages, and leave you rereading a sentence just because you enjoyed how it sounded and lingered in the air.
This being my first time reading a Stephen Lawhead novel, I believe he is a good author: No, this novel was not exceptionally riveting (it is but the first of three, which introduces Bran's revenge, sets the stage for later conflict, and assembles the cast of characters) - But YES, I enjoyed the writing and the development. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't boring by any means! There were absolutely entertaining bits left and right, and I very much enjoyed Lawhead's commitment to descriptions of war violence (which brings that much more weight and grit). However, I struggled with and grew weary from trying to follow the French political angles; who had conquered whom, and who was lord over which faction, and which ruler had more power than others, etc.
At the end of the day, YES I picked up the sequel. I can't not find out what happens!