Rating: 
Summary: Not your normal Robin Hood, this one is better
Review: I have read a few Robin Hood books, and seen a few movies. Robin is always portrayed as larger than life; the best archer, the cunning planner, the hero saving the Saxons from the Norman's tyranny. Marion is more often than not a bit of fluff, and the other characters one dimensional.Enter Robin McKinley. Robin takes on new life in McKinley's book. He isn't the best archer. In fact, he may be one of the poorest. He isn't concerned with uplifting the Saxons; he worried about just trying to keep himself, and those that have come to join him, alive. He is a man thrown into a situation, and does his best to keep those around him safe. Marion carries more weight in this telling of Robin Hood than in most. She is an active participant in some of their schemes, though often behind the scenes. And she believes in the power of what Robin has unwittingly created, and will take steps to forward that movement. Personally, I don't know how I would react if I was thrust into Robin's situation. But, I know I would like to make the best of it, like Robin does. There are certain books that I re-read each year, because their telling of their tale is strong enough to keep my enjoyment, even 10 years down the road. This book is one of those. Truly, the best Robin Hood I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: same notes of praise
Review: This was the first Mckinley Book that i had the good fortune to read. I was in the middle of a Robin Hood streek when i picked this up. I am very glad i read so many diffrent versions before Outlaws because Mckinley's book raised my expectations for old tales of heroism to olympic levels. Besides Marion being so cool without overcrowding Robin the main reason i liked this book is its multitude of characters with depth. Robin has a group of people surrounding him that you actually care if they are merry or not. His band are not mere cutouts of stock medevil charcters-friar peasent nobleman. Mckinley is able to tell a broad story without losing the focus of the tale that made robin famous. You will not want this story to end.
Rating: 
Summary: Plodding plot, shifting perspectives
Review: As Robin McKinley hints in her Afterword, she has taken many elements associated with the Robin Hood legend to turn him into a hero for today-which makes him reluctant, pragmatic, and prosaic. As Marian tells him, "That's why we need you. You're a pessimist and a good planner." While McKinley states that she tried to be "historically unembarrassing," on occasion language fails her, as when one character mentions what Robin is "going through," as though they are stock characters in a daytime drama. The Robin Hood Legend fascinates different people of different personalities, time periods, locations, and preferences for different reasons. For example, young boys may like the bravado of a fearless hero, while young girls may adore his courage and the romance implicit in the tale. Those who have felt oppressed (if only by an unlikable boss) may appreciate his initiative and his flouting of authority. To yet others, the outlaw band that steals from the rich and gives to the poor may serve as affirmation of justice in an unjust world. Others may simply enjoy the fantasy elements that many tales set in medieval times seem to have. For myself, I like the idea of an outdoor life, in the deep, truly untouched forest, away from the noise, crowding, stresses, and obligations of modern life. That said, McKinley's Robin Hood is none of the above. He becomes an outlaw accidentally and outlaw leader and legend only through the persuasive skills and stubbornness of Marian and Much. Physically, he is average. He is a good fletcher, an average fighter, and a poor archer. While his followers (like the reader, drawn to a character who doesn't exist) boldly seek adventure and Norman purses, Robin is hesitant and fretful. He stays awake at night, watchful, worrying about practicalities such as feeding and sheltering the growing ban, ensuring their Greentree haven deep in the heart of Sherwood is protected, and seeing to it that there are enough privy holes dug for the group's needs. McKinley reduces Robin to what he really may have been at one time-a real human (or combination of humans) who, like a rock collects snow as it rolls downhill, has collected a variety of improbable elements as he passes through time. McKinley melts the snow until Robin could have been a real person-even if he was not. McKinley clearly feels this has appeal to modern sensibilities. She may be right, since this is a popular youth book. Perhaps, however, part of its popularity is due to the accessibility of its language to modern youth, for whom Pyle's work is stilted and awkward. Unfortunately, McKinley manages to rush through her plot while making it drag. While she elaborates about why the Chief Forester hates Robin, which indirectly leads to his crime, McKinley provides no context for the Norman oppression of the Saxons; it suddenly appears as a reason for Robin to lead a band of outlaws, but is not supported other than through a few tales of high taxes and lost holdings. In other words, the reader feels the villainy of the Chief Forester, the sheriff, and other select Normans, but not the cruelty of the people as a whole-yet the outlaws are fixated upon it. The reader is never brought in emotionally. The sheriff's role is never defined; American readers will likely think he is simply a law enforcer rather than the king's administrator (shire-reeve). Although the sheriff "is a cruel and greedy fool and lout," it is never clear who appointed him-the absent and negligent Richard Lionheart or the Regent, vaguely alluded to a few times. It's also not clear where Lionheart is-fighting the Saracens in Palestine or, as mentioned at one point, imprisoned in Germany. Meanwhile, the plot plods along, with effort expended to build up a sense of danger around Marian relationship with Beatrix (a relation?) that falls flat and abruptly disappears. A gratuitous romance is introduced between members of the band for no apparent reason. Halfway through the novel, the perspective shifts inexplicably from that of Robin, Marian, and Much to that of Little John and Cecil-a shift necessary in one or two chapters to move the plot, but which detracts from the investment the reader has made in Robin and Marian. One wonders how McKinley chose names for some of the lesser outlaws-are they hers, or do they come from previous retellings? While some (Rafe, Cecil) are English, others (Eva and Simon-Hebrew, Humphrey and Matilda-German, Marjorie-Greek, Sibyl (Cybill)-Latin, and the male Jocelin-French (female!) have non-English origins, which seems unlikely, nor have I encountered them in my medieval readings. Like the continual feminist approach, the names are so out of place that they detract from the sense of realism-as do the many wounds that never turn gangrenous and are well on their way to healing within a week. Most of all, The Outlaws of Sherwood lacks suspense, perhaps because the plot is weak and disjointed. McKinley wastes opportunities, as with Marian and Beatrix as well as Robin's uncertainty about the unknown Cecil. When Robin commits a crime particularly embarrassing to the sheriff, that official finally shows interest. After a climactic battle with Guy of Gisbourne told in anticlimactic detail (even Tuck feels time is endless) and a tedious focus on the weeklong aftermath (during which the sheriff is mysteriously absent), The Outlaws of Sherwood finally drags to an anticlimactic end, with Lionheart droning about fealty, the king's whim, reward, and punishment and doling out judgments. Despite the attempt to make Robin realistic, he and Sherwood are even less alive and less vibrant than in the improbably legend. If you are a Robin hood fan, as I am, by all means read The Outlaws of Sherwood; it has some interest, if only for the subject matter. Diane L. Schirf, 9 April 2004.
Rating:
Summary: Great Rendition of the Classic Tale
Review: I have long been a fan of Robin Hood and his friends, admired their noble purpose, and reveled in their narrow escapes from the Sheriff of Nottingham. But it seems that every time I pick up a book about their "real" story, the author is intent upon putting a new spin on the classic tale. Perhaps Robin is really the sheriff's brother, or maybe Robin and Marion are one and the same, or, heaven forbid, Robin is gay, leading to a completely different version. But at last, I have found a fine re-telling of the tale I have known and loved since childhood. Robin McKinley is known for her re-telling of classic stories and fairy tales. But with this novel, she has not only told the tale, she has breathed life into it. All of our favorite characters are here: Robin, Marion, Little John, Will Scarlet, Much, Friar Tuck, Alan-a Dale, the Sheriff, King Richard, etc. But there are others as well, lesser known members of Robin's outlaw band, but still having important roles to play in the outcome of the story. All of the characters come alive, familiar to us in a comforting way, yet new as well. The result is the author's success at keeping us on the edge of our seat, even though we know the basic plot already. That, my friends, is quite an achievement. The novel covers the entire spectrum of events in this legend of Robin Hood. We follow Robin and his friends (and enemies) from the pivotal event in young Robin's life that forces him into his outlaw life, through the early struggles of survival as an outlaw, the growing reputation that the group achieves, all the way through the return of King Richard. All the familiar elements of the overall story are here. The bridge scene where Robin first meets John Little and they battle, the archery tournament that the Sheriff organizes as a trap for Robin, etc. But not all is as we remember, for the author does throw in a few twists as well. I won't detail them here lest I spoil the adventure for you, but rest assured, they only add to the realism of the day. The author's note at the end adds a bit of explanation in how she dealt with the anachronistic flaws of the legend; i.e. the fact that longbows weren't used until 150 years after the time of King Richard Lionheart, etc. But those things are minor to the telling of the tale itself. My only negative comment concerns the ending. It just takes too long. When King Richard returns, and is forced to deal with this band of outlaws, he must find suitable "punishments" for them. This part seemed anticlimactic to me and should have been wrapped up in 2-3 pages. As it was it took more than 20 pages, and still seemed incomplete. But in spite of this detail, the book was tremendous. It is without a doubt the best novel of Robin Hood that I have yet read and will be tough to beat. Robin McKinley is an elegant writer, witty, humorous, and marvelously descriptive with character interaction. If you are looking for a break from over-the-top fantasy epics or gritty urban drama, you will be pleased to pick up this one. Sometimes, it is simply pure joy to lose yourself in the re-telling of an old classic.
Rating:
Summary: My Kind of Heroine (not the drug)
Review:
I absolutely adored this book! It is some type of Robin Hood book god of idolatry, I love the portrayal of everyone! Maid Marian isn't the typical meek medeival maid! But the utmost "I love it" factor is that this IS NOT HOWARD PYLE. The "minor" characters are not stick figures with social classes on a nametag around their necks. They have depth and personalities, and they're so funny!I read it on a Robin Hood spree and it has been my favorite henceforth. Everyone was soooo cool! The writing was beautiful, and her metaphors were works of genius, as well as similes. She did win a Newberry Medal after all.
You really loved the characters. Near the end, I could not read on for days because I was so sure they would kill off Much or Will. And the ending was so romantically predictable at first, but there was a pleasantly surprising twist. I am a romantic at heart, and the forbidden and hidden love stories intertwined with regular mythos was positively perfect! The romantic scenes were heartbreaking and endearing, and the battle scenes rocked!
The ending was different from typical Pyle drones, and I cried a little bit, but it was a good cry. Happy. Read this masterpiece
Rating: 
Summary: This book is TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This book is an example of an auther trying to tell a classic tale but failing miserably! Bland carecters,and a horible plot line make this book a work of pure pap and drech! 0 stars
Rating: 
Summary: A realistic, vivid take, but not riveting.
Review: This is a tale of Robin Hood and the beginnings of his Merrie Men (and Women); about how they came to be in Sherwood and how they made Robin the legend that he is. Robin McKinley's take on our favorite outlaw is realistic, human and vividly written. Robin and the rest of his characters come alive with three-dimensional personalities: principled, flawed, inspirational, strong, subtle; they are fueled by the ideals of youth and the strength of conviction. The author makes the reader empathize, not merely sympathize, with the characters, understanding the plight of Saxons against an oppresive Norman society. However, as much as the writing, narration and characterization is excellent, there is nothing distinctly compelling or different about the overall story itself. It does tell the stories of Robin Hood that we love most: The meeting with Little John on the narrow bridge, the "invitation" of the Knight to Robin's campfire, the appearance of Robin Hood in the Nottingham fair and besting all at archery... but while the creative twists sprinkled in each of these tales are evident, definitely most welcome in spite of myself, I must say that it wasn't all-together compelling. I had expected much more, something newer, which was unfair of me, but at the wake of other tales about Robin Hood written by other authors, this one strikes me as being too cautious of altering the tradition of Robin Hood. For some, this may be considered a virtue. I plead no contest to that facet of retelling of old tales, but I always want something fresh; a freshness I've found in other contemporary Robin Hood stories. Nonetheless, I would recommend reading this book right after thoroughly going over the *most traditional* of Robin Hood tales. It is excellently written, after all. And after this book, *then* you could go on to the Robin Hood tales that push the boundaries of the legend of this facinating outlaw.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: I'm not a very good "reviewer" but I can say I absolutely loved this book. From the moment I started the book I could not put it down. It was a fast, easy read that kept me interested the entire time. It had just enough romance to keep me satisfied (which really wasn't much at all) and enough action to keep me tense and on edge. If you are into the Robin Hood scene then this book is a definite must read.
Rating:
Summary: A complex, but clear, retelling.... charming.
Review: In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I love Ms. McKinley's work, but this is my favorite of her tales. OofS is a lovingly written love-adventure-social justice tale that one can read to oneself in one's middle years, with one's teenagers, or to one's small children.... or all of the above. I have read this to my babysitting charges (3 and 5) who adored it; with the teen fantasy readers' group at the library (13-16) and given it to my mother who asked for more!! I hope you will enjoy it as much as we have.
Rating:
Summary: couldn't be better
Review: I've loved this book for years! I've probably read it 8 or 9 times and it doesn't get old. The author manages to take an old story and make it new, but without losing any of the romance inherent in the tale. Pick it up, you won't be sorry!
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