Robin of Sherwood

Robin of Sherwood #1

by Richard Carpenter

Traditional adventure spiced with medieval mysticism and sorcery: the life and times of England's greatest folk hero.

England in the twelfth century is a land that has been firmly subjugated by the Normans. But scattered throughout the country there are still small areas of resistance, where bands of outlaws keep the flame of freedom alive…

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Classics, Historical Fiction, Media Tie In, Adventure, Medieval

158 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 1986

About the author

Richard Michael "Kip" Carpenter (14 August 1929 – 26 February 2012) was an English screenwriter, author, and actor who created a number of British television series, including Robin of Sherwood and Catweazle.

Reviews

[John Kirk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a tricky book to review, because it (and the TV series it's based on) are linked to my childhood nostalgia. Am I being too hard on it if it doesn't live up to my adult expectations? Am I being too easy on it based on fond memories?

I haven't seen the TV series in a long time, but this book nudged my memories enough that I think I'd still enjoy it; there are some great lines, e.g. the Sheriff saying "It's a wedding, not a celebration!" The problem is that this book often feels like a synopsis more than a story. I think that's partly due to size constraints: I've seen film novelisations twice the length of this book for a 90 minute film, whereas this book has to cover 5 hour-long episodes, so it has to summarise a lot. Also, I think that writing a TV script is a different skill to writing a novel.

So, I think this works well as a companion to the series, providing a way to "rewatch" episodes when DVDs weren't available. However, it doesn't really stand up as a novel in its own right.

One thing I particularly liked about this book/series is that they don't put King Richard on a pedastal. There have been several other Robin Hood adaptations where he's treated as a perfect figure who will set everything to rights, in contrast to the evil Prince John. In this series, Richard doesn't really care about England, and John has to raise taxes to pay his ransom when he gets captured. So, it's a bit more nuanced, and I suspect that it's more historically accurate.

[Eloise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm battling through a haze of nostalgia and sheer joy not to rate 5 stars.

No idea what you'll think of this if you've not seen the iconic 80's TV series, from which Carpenter has adapted his own scripts. The plus side is that this carries over some of the sterling one-liners and character beats (dramatic readings were performed for my household) as well as the cohesive narrative and setting. The downside is that the book is simply a novelisation of the main beats of series one - with nothing really added - but inspiration from the Geste very clear. It's also worth noting that as a Puffin book you'll have to look elsewhere for 'gritty realism'.
Highly recommend blasting the appropriate Clannad tracks while reading

Still my standard for "It's your mythic destiny to run off to the woods and be an anticapitalist rebel in the name of social justice and fighting the forces of darkness" Robin Hood takes.

[Ian Nisbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite lightweight and basically the script of the TV series. I did quite enjoy it but that was helped by remembering the programmes. They introduced Clannad to the wider world, made Enya's success more likely and paved the way for Alan Rickman's sheriff. The depth of the characters was in the acting so is mostly missing from the book but it is a 'Puffin' so we shouldn’t be expecting great 'literature'. No sex, though Robin & Marion do sleep together, and violence is quite peremptory, it happens and we move on.
I'm really not sure how this would go with a reader who had never seen the show but I don't think it would be a problem for the target age group.
From reading the other reviews it would appear that one thing we agree on is that we loved the TV show and it has permanently raised our expectations above Costner level.

[iosephvs bibliothecarivs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great writing but pure nostalgia.

[Sarah Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is quite a strange experience to re-read a book I last read at primary school. In this case the book stood up well to the test. While I was a little more conscious of bits of hand waving and clunkiness, I enjoyed much of the same things about it at age 10, not least the interplay between the ascerbic sheriff, his rapacious brother Abbot Hugo and the hapless yet tenacious Gisburne.

[Jacqueline Patricks · Rating 3 out of 5]

LOL, I loved Michael Praed's version of Robin Hood when I was a teen, and recently rediscovered it. Also discovered there were books! Sadly, the books aren't very good, a mere glossing over of the episodes. Hardly any inner thoughts of the characters (there's a bit to make them redeemable though). Oh, and there's a few pictures of Michael Praed when he was 20 something. That's worth a few bucks right there.

If you're a major fan, collector, and a fast reader you'll enjoy the four books in the series for what they are. Fluff and fun. Don't expect much and you'll like them okay.

[Katherine Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

An odd one to review, found this on a tidy up of my book shelves and remembered how much I loved the book and TV show. Whilst it suffered in the fact I had falsely remembered parts and in a way built it up in my mind, it still is a good book. The story goes along nicely and the tale is a simple one, maybe something we all aren't used to (especially with some authors out there who need a damn editor with a cattle prod). One for younger readers but then that it the age group ot is pitched for.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, and the fantastic 80s series starring the gorgeous Michael Praed, had a huge effect on my early teen years and are part of the reason for my love of paganism and all things mystical and of natural magic.

Swashbuckling adventure, Saxon/Norman history and the strength of brothers (and sisters) in arms, I've had this book for 37 years and still love it beyond measure.

The perfect betwixt-reads palate cleanser and a beautifully handsome cover star 🌟 🤩

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Traditional adventure spiced with medieval mysticism and sorcery: the life of England’s greatest folk hero.”

Tolerably well-written novelisation of the first series of Robin of Sherwood, by Richard Carpenter, who created and wrote the series.

Carpenter’s version of the legend is respectful to the old sources but brings in some new elements, most notably the mysticism of Herne the Hunter, the stag-headed forest god; and a shockingly ruthless incarnation of King Richard the Lionheart.

[Ezra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never knew the FULL story of Robin of Sherwood, given i had watched cartoons and heard stories but i had never read it in full as i had when i found this one by Richard Carpenter.
Great take on the British folktale and easy to follow through.
Read it to yourself, read it to your kids and Enjoy the book

[Donna Bloodworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the book snd the series

[Deb Lancaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely bit of nostalgia. Not brilliantly written.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I completely fell in love with this series when it first came on the TV - it was a truly remarkable retelling of the Robin Hood legend that, despite slightly cleaner villages than historical accuracy would approve, added folk magic and the supernatural to the tale to enthral. The book of the series is written by its creator, so there are always the small extras and insights into feelings and motive that can't translate on screen.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched the TV series first, but this is really just the 'book' from the screen play, and was well written, and short, like the episodes, quick and easy to read rather than drawn out which I actually enjoyed. I have always loved the stories of Robin Hood, and this series added the mystical to the themes and I enjoyed that. Carpenter I think did the legend justice and was happy that I've both read and watched it.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite TV Robin. This book covers the first season of this tv series--the first six episodes.