For centuries, the legend of Robin Hood and his band of thieves has captivated the imagination. Now the familiar tale takes on new life, fresh meaning, and an unexpected setting. Hunted like an animal by Norman invaders, Bran ap Brychan, heir to the throne Elfael, has abandoned his father's kingdom and fled to the greenwood. There, in the primeval forest of the Welsh borders, danger surrounds him-for this woodland is a living, breathing entity with mysterious powers and secrets, and Bran must find a way to make it his own if he is to survive. Like the forest itself, Hood is deep, dark, and at times savagely brutal-yet full of enchantment and hope.
Gillian in 2014: "Oooh, this book looks really interesting. I think I'll buy it and give it a read."
Gillian in 2017: "Oh, yeah, I was going to read that book."
THREE YEARS this book has been sitting on my bookshelf. Three years it's been waiting for me to remember it, pick it up and read it. And am I ever sorry I waited that long to read it. This book was spectacular. As I have mentioned before, I love re-tellings of well-known fairy tales and stories. This book is stunning in its world-building. It re-invents an old classic that dates back to the medieval period. Most people imagine Robin Hood to be a swash-buckling, Errol Flynn type who steals from the rich and gives to the poor, with honour and decency and is good with a bow and arrow. Well. This version of Robin Hood, here known as Rhy Bran y Hud has honour and is good with a bow and arrow, and that's where the likeness with the more popular form of Robin Hood ends.
Lawhead creates a wonderful version of Robin Hood that is dark and gritty, and turns his version of Robin Hood into a freedom fighter who fights for his land and his people. He steeps his re-invention in Celtic mythology, which adds to the rich world he has created. I am a medieval historian, so I especially loved that it takes place shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066. This book takes place not too long after the Conquest, maybe 20 years after, so the effects of the conquest and the Norman rule, placing the English and the Welsh under their thumb is really felt. I found that Lawhead really made a realistic story. While there are some fantastical elements involved (such as the origin of the name of King Raven, one of the names that Bran takes on), but since it comes from Celtic mythology, it works well in the novel's favour. He creates a very realistic version of eleventh century England and Wales, and it's a world that you can imagine existing (as many places like this did).
This book hits the ground running. While there are more quiet, subdued moments, the story is always moving forward. The characters are well-rounded, and often are twists on the original characters that Lawhead is drawing from.
All in all, this is a really good, well-rounded novel. I enjoyed the new spin on an old classic, based in history and mythology. I'm giving Hood a 5/5, and will be reading its two sequels hopefully soon.
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