Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

by Simon R. Green

A novel based on the film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves".

Retells the story of Robin of Locksley, who became an outlaw in order to protect the poor from the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.

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

234 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Simon Richard Green is a British science fiction and fantasy-author. He holds a degree in Modern English and American Literature from the University of Leicester. His first publication was in 1979.

His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.

Excerpted from Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Babsi Waldegger]

,

[Brooke A Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite movies as a kid, and long before I knew that novelizations were a thing. So I basically have the movie memorized. And I actually put it on as I finished the book up.
As a novelization, it is incredibly faithful. Because I know it so well, I could tell where dialogue had been changed in places but usually it was a shift of a couple of words or a clarifying sentence. So that's fine.
I read about a hundred and sixty pages in about 45 minutes, so the language isn't too complex and I think it would actually be okay for, say a thirteen or fourteen year old, especially if they've seen the movie.
The movie isn't all that funny. It has moments where you almost want to crack a smile, or crack a very brief smile. But otherwise it is Serious. This novelization? It had me snorting from the quips brought about by the internal monologues. Friar Tuck's quip at the end during the big battle when he has his own showdown was great and I genuinely wish that one in particular was in the movie. Not that it isn't serious too but I like funny to offset the serious so it's not a total emotional drama fest. (Although the funniest part of the movie is not in the book, probably due to the language).
The book also does a much better job of foreshadowing than the film. I would assume. Again, I basically have the movie memorized but there were actual moments that my analysis brain went "Ooh, that was foreshadowing. That makes that other moment come less out of left field. Yes."
I also particularly liked that both Robin and the Sheriff spend a lot of time smiling or in a rage. It's a really clever use of foils, which the movie leans on but never goes full explicit on that. (There are actually a lot of foils and parallels in this story, something that I hadn't realized until just now because I've never sat down and actively thought about the story.)
Good stuff. Recommended.

[Omdog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wish I could find this book. I read it in Middleschool and don't remember ever seeing it after that. I Loved it at the time and have wanted to re-read it several times over the last- good god, has it been nearly 20 years already?

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a huge Robin Hood fan and fan of the movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, I was pretty excited to read the book based on the movie and for what it was, it was ok. Half of the time I was like "That's just like the movie." and the other half I was like "That's not what happened in the movie!". I liked that it paralleled the movie and added some inner thoughts, but there were things that were changed. Classic lines were omitted and scenes were changed to the point where they didn't make sense. Maybe that is how the original screenplay was? The writing itself could have used some work too as it was often repetitive and a bit bland. For me though, I read it as a companion to the movie, and it worked well for that.

[Sarah Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Nothing else mattered” yup!! This took me way too long to finish, but the plot was a little slow. The last 50 pages though 🤌🏻 Robin and Marian foreverrr!!!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite movie, so I can say that some of the dialogue has been changed slightly and a few of the scenes, but it follows the extended/director's cut version of the movie pretty closely. If you love the movie, you'll love the book.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't seen the movie, so I'm not sure how this compares. But having only read the book, I really enjoyed it! I was engaged the whole time, liked the characters, and was even surprised by a couples of twists!

[Shimona · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best! For me my favourite tale! Book and movie!

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the story of Robin Hood but had never read the book. It was great, written very well.

[Samantha Rooney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn’t finish as found it a bit clunky and dull

[Jenna D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oof. This was boring. Then I watched the film again, and boy! Had I forgotten how bizarre it was. A big MEH from me.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

As expected.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novelization of the 90's movie, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner. I don't read these because they're amazing literature. I read them because I like having a previously inaccessible insight into characters in a movie. I like knowing what Robin Hood might have been thinking during a particular scene (or the Sherriff!!) So this gave me what I was after and I'll leave it at that. Definitely a quick read - especially if you've seen the movie.

[Jenifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

From an old journal entry of mine; "I read Robin Hood after our family returned from a week's vacation at Lake Powell. I found the book on the houseboat, but couldn't get it away from Norma and Wayne who somehow managed to read it at the same time. We saw the screenplay about a month later, and though we all thought it was wonderful, we all liked the book better.

[Paging_Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read this in my contemporary authors class when I was in high school. I picked the book up and was definitely iffy about it. Once I dug into it I was hooked. I can say I completely enjoyed the book so much more than the movie. But hey, isn't that usually the case? It was full of everything. I really do recommend it if you just want something fun to read.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed the novelization, something that withstands the test of time unlike the film! I liked the angle taken of antagonism between Robin and Scarlett and the addition of a Moor, but elements did seem a little 'borrowed' from the UK TV series I love to much.

[Mary Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining book.
My favorite quotes in the book:

For he was not what he seemed, and there, my friends take heed. Beware of those who charm with lies the way to ruin they'll lead

Men conveniently speak of love when it suits their purpose. When it doesn't, it suddenly becomes a burden.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this movie so much when it came out, I had to read the book (which was identical to the movie). It was a fun read, I knew it would be a happy ending (since I had seen the movie).

[Will Whatley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly good. (I say, looking back. I liked it a lot when a boy.)

[Ciara Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love the book just as much as the movie

[Savannah]

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Arlene Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only Simon Green could salvage something from this lame version of the legend.

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a dull novelization of the movie of the same name. There was no life in the words and the editing was not good. Watch the movie or better, read the original tale. I pass on this one.

[Noel Pinote · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm excited

[Laure Estep]

stopped reading at 116 pages and could not bring myself to continue.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty fun to read. I never really knew the story of Robin Hood all that well so yeah.

[David Waggoner]

Read this in 1991.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as good as the movie! The wording got a little overly dramatic at times, but the story was fast paced and exciting.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yawn. I think I'm gonna give novelizations and movie-tie ins a break for awhile