And it remains my very favorite to this day. Joined first by his friends Much and Marian, then by more and more people who despise the Norman lords who tax them blind, Robin builds a community of Saxon outlaws deep in Sherwood who risk the gallows and the sword for the sake of justice and freedom. Robin Longbow is a sub-apprentice forester in Sherwood Forest, barely eking out a living-and barely able to control his temper when he is confronted by the taunts of the Chief Forester's favorite. The Outlaws of Sherwood is a tale told with great pace, filled with risk, adventure, desperation, compassion, the many faces of courage and sacrifice. There had been little enough time for the three of them to be together in the last months; but the fair was going to make up for all that. Her characters are relatable and enjoyable, her plotting exciting yet believable. This is an excellent version of the Robin Hood legend, incorporating existing, well loved details with fresh turns and personal insight. Robin Hood No one thought anything of Robert Longbow's death but sorrow to see a good man gone; and Robin had known better than to mention the unnecessary call that came one stormy midnight after his father was already sickening. Language: English. , Reading age It's worth reading this book to see her fresh approach to the characters, and to encounter characters unique to this book -- such as Cecil -- who make you wish they'd always been a part of the legend. Sir Richard takes the outlaws to his castle to keep them safe but the Sheriff is furious that Sir Richard is protecting them. They also support Robin emotionally. Soon a young minstrel named Alan-a-dale seeks their help. Usually I quite like McKinley's retellings, but this one I found remarkably boring. The following day Berg tells him that Unn was the woman for whom he killed the monk. But Sir Richard willingly examined the arrows, as carefully as if he had long awaited them. devolped female characters. However, Robin often seems to overlook the more positive aspects of his outlaw life. WebThe Outlaws of Sherwood Robin McKinley. Robin Longbow, a lowly apprentice to the forester of Nottingham Forest, is on the way to Nottingham fair when he is waylaid by bullies. But, other than that oddity, I enjoyed the story. After an 18-year-old Robin Hood accidentally kills a stranger to avenge his father, he runs off into the Sherwood Forest to begin life as an outlaw. The Outlaws of Sherwood Publisher: Not specified. The Outlaws of Sherwood Publisher: Not specified. In several of Marian's earliest appearances in the Robin Hood legend, she is a very capable archer and huntswoman . Robin McKinley. During their stay, Little John and Cecily profess their love for one another, and the outlaws begin to recover from their wounds. One careless shot, and he has killed the man. Following the wedding, Alan and Marjorie join Robins band. After he accidentally kills one of them, he is forced to flee and go into hiding. Notably, three of the most important characters are women, all of whom escape marriage to prospective spouses chosen by their fathers.[2]. Though Sir Richard is grateful, Robins worries increase because he realizes the sheriff of Nottingham has even greater cause to hate him because Robin made him appear foolish. The Outlaws of Sherwood is a strong contender in the overstuffed Robin-Hood-legends genre. But he really wanted to see Marian win. One careless shot, and he has killed the man. currently reading. The outlaws make enemies of the Sheriff of Nottingham, and the sheriff hires a bounty hunter named Guy of Gisbourne to eliminate Robin and his outlaw band. In terms of personality, McKinley's Marian is as strong as she's ever been -- making great personal sacrifices for the sake of the outlaws and their reputation. But Much and Marian convince him that perhaps his personal catastrophe is also an opportunity: an opportunity for a few stubborn Saxons to gather together in the secret heart of Sherwood Forest and strike back against the arrogance and injustice of the Norman overlords. WebThe Outlaws of Sherwood Robin McKinley. Robin Longbow is a sub-apprentice forester in Sherwood Forest, barely eking out a living-and barely able to control his temper when he is confronted by the taunts of the Chief Forester's favorite. Two realms colliding as evil crosses over. During the battle, Marjorie runs to get help from Sir Richard, who arrives the next morning and takes the outlaws back to his castle to keep them safe from the sheriff. Addeddate. Cecily and Little John spirit Marian away to Friar Tuck's hideout in the forest. Unfortunately, several writers have done just that. the Robin Hood stories for both young adults and grown ups. : Robin is on his way to meet his friends Marian, a noblewoman, and Much, the miller's son, at the Nottingham Fair. However, several members of their band die in the effort. WebThe author retells the adventures of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws who live in Sherwood Forest in twelfth-century England. Many reviews are behind a subscriber paywall. As mentioned, hes not much of an archer; Marian is the one with the real archery skills. As he is walking away, one of the foresters shoots an arrow at Robin that nearly kills him. Publisher: Firebird. He resettled his bow on his shoulder and gave another shake to his quiver, that it would hang straight, and not tease the back of his neck; he spent far too much of his daily life walking to be comfortable with an arrow-sack looped around his belt and banging against one leg in the common manner. 368 pages first pub 1988 ISBN/UID: None. Will soon receives troubling news that his younger sister has locked herself in her room rather than wed a Norman baron, but Robin refuses to help, thinking the effort too dangerous and not worthwhile. He tells them that every able-bodied one of them must go to fight in the Holy Lands against the Saracens for their punishment. Depending on the study guide provider (SparkNotes, Shmoop, etc. Robin himself was keeping an eye out for the son as he walked toward Mapperley Castle; he bore a small but slow to fade scar on the back of his neck where young Richard had laid his hunting-whip when Robin had not gotten out of what Richard perceived as his way quickly enough to suit. And when I went on study abroad to England, I dragged my best friend all the way to Nottingham and Sherwood Forest as well so I could walk around in the woods and soak it all up. As the storm persists, Tord is certain that God is talking to him, commanding that Berg must surrender and be punished. Robin McKinley, quote from The Outlaws of Sherwood. Tords mother is a witch who eats parts of human bodies that she finds in the sea. Robin Longbow is a sub-apprentice forester in Sherwood Forest, barely eking out a living-and barely able to control his temper when he is confronted by the taunts of the Chief Forester's favorite. Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. The outlaws of Sherwood click here to subscribe without commenting. Language: English. true. But such a summary, while accurate in the broad strokes, does not do The Outlaws of Sherwood justice. It deliberately deconstructs the figures and setting, trying for historical accuracy and psychological plausibility, as well as unusual attention paid to the matter of privies. cover to cover just for Robin Hood's periodic appearances. Robin and his band attack Guys men, and though they are heavily outnumbered and sustain many injuries, they manage to defeat them. He did consider, twice a year, as fair time approached, the noblepossibly even royalfavour he might curry by a fine tournament. WebHe knows his own life is forfeit. ). And in her only major ballad appearance , a disguised Marian fights Robin to a standstill. Tords mother is a witch who eats parts of human bodies that she finds in the sea. WebThe Outlaws of Sherwood - Summary Summary Robin is on his way to meet his friends Marian, a noblewoman, and Much, the miller's son, at the Nottingham Fair. From then on, Robin is on the run-but he is not alone. The Outlaws of Sherwood Robin McKinleys version is beautifully written and, as its set in the context of the Norman-Saxon conflict and the Crusades, it highlights the historical issues of the day. He'd bring his bow to the fair, and enter the archery contest, and try not to miss at least his first shot. The Outlaws of Sherwood publication in traditional print. This change is a sign of McKinley's love of "ordinary heroes". True to form, her Robin is not the typical Robin of legend. TADIANA JONES, on our staff since July 2015, is an intellectual property lawyer with a BA in English. But there would be friends of the Chief Forester shooting too, and nothing would please them more than to taunt him when he stood upand to take the story home of how young Robin had missed the mark with his very first arrow. Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2023. Privately Robin felt that Marian had a good chance of winning; she was one of those who always allowed for the breeze that would kick up from nowhere after the arrow had left the string. ), the resources below will generally offer The Outlaws of Sherwood chapter summaries, quotes, and analysis of themes, characters, and symbols. Robin knew that any story of his own indifferent marksmanship would lose nothing in the telling. He knows his own life is forfeit. McKinley gives much attention to the others in Robin's band of Merry Men and Women (for McKinley has added several female characters). "Why, for the golden arrow," said Marian. That done, he set off solemnly through the treestrying to feel that his decision was not only final but a good one, and that he was pleased with it besides. He is assigned to Little John for training. 6 likes. Robin McKinley, quote from The Outlaws of Sherwood. The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley. She likes complex and layered stories and characters with hidden depths. The outlaws get Friar Tuck to perform the marriage to Alan instead of the original groom. WebYou know it is going to hurt quite a lot in a minute.. Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. ), the resources below will generally offer The Outlaws of Sherwood chapter summaries, quotes, and analysis of themes, characters, and symbols. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Meanwhile, Little John and others rob the barons house. WebRobin never had to tell anyone of his meeting, weaponless and with an armful of dead branches to break up for firewood, with one of Guy's men. No spoilers here, but it did not leave this reader feeling good. WebHe knows his own life is forfeit. A Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham retelling; excellent focus on the strength of character of Marian and the humbler Robin. McKinley's Robin Hood, however, is a (justified) worrywart -- and a very charming one at that. Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. Language: English. The Outlaws of Sherwood - Summary The Outlaws of Sherwood The only reason the outlaws are not all killed is because Marian is present and negotiated on Robins behalf. are 1 Short Summary and 3 Book Reviews. One careless shot, and he has killed the man. Robin stopped, but it was too late, for they had seen him. But if you like an unusual, but beautifully wrought, take on a classic then you really ought to give this one a shot. to read read. Buy The Outlaws of Sherwood on Amazon.co.uk ", "I don't," said Marian cheerfully. I agree with Kat about the oddness of the ending, and its not the most memorable of McKinleys novels. Little John and Cecily say they love each other. Marian is badly hurt. She wants to view the world in a different way. Published in 1988. It deliberately deconstructs the figures and setting, trying for historical accuracy and psychological plausibility, as well as unusual attention paid to the matter of privies. On his way to Nottingham Fair, a young apprentice forester named Robin is accosted by some of his fellow foresters. Marian wears a disguise and wins the contest. Ed. Don't subscribe His father's pride in England had extended to include his pride in tenant ownership of a cottage and small bit of landland for a garden, and the cottage large enough to have separate rooms for eating and sleeping. It deliberately deconstructs the figures and setting, trying for historical accuracy and psychological plausibility, as well as unusual attention paid to the matter of privies.