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Recently I stumbled across a series that was evidently based on the Robin Hood legend. Though not my usual genre, I found myself intrigued enough to consider adding it to my TBR list. But then I thought maybe it would be a good idea to read some of the older stories about the legendary folk hero- which other than a Disney-like story I read as a child; I had never done- to my knowledge. I have seen a few movies- but I wanted to read what I thought might be some of the 'original' tales and not the Hollywood version of them- which led me to this boo. This compilation of stories set the tone for Robin Hood going forward- though, the tales of Robin Hood had been around long before Pyle put his stamp on them.

This collection of stories was written by Howard Pyle back in 1883. He adapted the older Robin Hood ballads, changed a few things up, including Robin’s original villainous reputation –making him into a hero who robbed the rich to feed the poor.

The book starts off with the story about how Robin Hood became something of an outlaw and wound-up living in Sherwood Forest. From there we are introduced to his Merry men and off we go on a variety of often hilarious adventures, meeting an eclectic group of people- some who become allies and some who remain staunch enemies.

I never would have thought I’d find Robin Hood stories this enjoyable- but I admit I had a good time reading this book, which was nothing at all like I thought it would be- and doing a little research about the Robin Hood legend's origins. The language in this book, as I learned, was made up of a fake medieval dialect and it was hard to follow on occasion, as a result. It was also unintentionally funny sometimes because words today mean something entirely different from when this book was published.

All the same, I have a renewed respect for the Robin Hood legend. This was a fun exercise and was certainly a much-needed change of pace. I feel much better equipped now to pursue more stories or pastiches built around the legend of Robin Hood! Who knows, maybe I’ll even tackle Ivanhoe someday.

4 stars ( )

Hilariously, aggressively chauvinist, almost to parody. The art it delightful, but the text is almost too much. So may loins and thews! ( )

I’m sure I must have read this book as a kid, but I was astonished on this read-through to discover how very different Pyle’s Robin Hood is from all those more familiar adaptations which came after. It is as if none of them stopped to read Pyle’s work.

Robin Hood tricked into coming to the archery tournament and captured? Not in Pyle’s work. He fools the sherif and gets away Scot free.

Maid Marian? Not appearing in this show … save one reminiscence of the teen Robin Hood in the prologue and one comparison of her hair to the color of a bread crust in Chapter 17.

Sir Guy of Gisbourne? Longtime friend and accomplice of the sherif? Nope. A vicious outlaw, hired by the sherif once to get Robin, but overcome and killed … in the same Chapter … one and done.

I could go on …

I was also amused by the jolly description of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. History does not record their relationship as quite so chummy. In fact, he had her put in the dungeon for her part in a revolt against him. She also lead battles in the Crusades. You should read up on them sometime: nice couple. ( )

He stole from the rich and gave to the poor, and in so doing became an undying symbol of virtue. But most important, Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men offer young readers more than enough adventure and thrills to keep them turning the pages. Who could resist the arrows flying, danger lurking, and medieval intrigue?