Customer Reviews

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (Akasha Classic Series)

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

It pains me that people are reading this without the illustrations. (Referring to Kindle edition).

Howard Pyle was the first person in the modern era to collect all the Robin Hood ballads that had come down from the midieval era and put them into a modern format, structured as stories and so forth. Essentially every version of Robin Hood in the past century has drawn on Howard Pyle's Robin Hood as its major source, and reading this book is the best way to understand why the minor characters in (for example) Kevin Costner's "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves" are named things like "Will Scarlet" or "Much the Miller's Son."

I was given this book to read as a child, and it was and still is one of my all-time favorites (although I always avoided reading the final chapter, which Pyle even warns his readers they may want to do). The elevated, pseudo-elizabethan style even helped me later on -- when I got to Shakespeare in school, the language was easy for me, because I'd been reading Howard Pyle since I was eight.

The problem with this ebook version is that it doesn't contain the illustrations, though. And that's simply unforgivable. Howard Pyle is today better known as an illustrator than as a writer. He was the art teacher who taught people like Arthur Rackham and N.C. Wyeth. His illustrations are immensely rich and detailed, and as full of period accuracy and background research as his writing was. It's an unforgivable shame to miss them.

Versions of this book can be found online free with illustrations. Don't bother with this version, as it doesn't have them. Reading this book without the illustrations is like taking an oscar-winning film and just listening to the sound with the screen blacked out. You can do it, but why?

EDIT: There are now many Kindle versions of this book, all cross-linked so they share reviews. Currently at least, none of the free versions have illustrations; the 99-cent version marked "illustrated" does appear to have most of them, but severely cropped, without many of Pyle's marginalia and scrollwork.

Who hasn't heard of Robin Hood and his merry band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest? In this book you meet them all - including the powerful Little John, courageous Will Scarlet, musical Allan a Dale, and sly Friar Tuck. Howard Pyle offers what is probably the most complete and best collection of Robin Hood tales. All the old favorites are included - Little John and his quarter-staff toppling Robin into the water, Robin winning the golden arrow at Nottingham's archery contest, and the Sheriff being outsmarted in numerous attempts to capture Robin. But these are just the tip of the iceberg - this book is chock-full of entertaining merry adventures.

The medieval setting is portrayed beautifully, including the vast gulf between the upper and lower classes of society, the corruption and greed of the nobility, and the hypocrisy of the medieval Roman Catholic church where religion has degenerated to mere outward rituals. Even the language is somewhat antiquated, which initially seems tedious, but persevere because you will soon find that this an enjoyable and essential addition that heightens the heroic atmosphere of the story. But the medieval setting is not presented without a social commentary - Pyle shows that the unbalanced social structure inevitably resulted in the oppression of the poor and weak. It is left to Robin Hood and his men to take justice into their own hands, and fight nobly for the cause of the downtrodden. Such justice is accomplished in a questionable manner, because the notion of robbing the rich to help the poor implicitly endorses civil disobedience. But the more important theme of seeking justice and maintaining truth and right is in itself a noble one. With Robin Hood, we find ourselves wanting justice, and being prepared to make unselfish sacrifices in order to achieve it. When justice is done, it is actually the greed and corruption of the nobility that has led to its own destruction and ruin.

But the real attraction of this gem are the enthralling exploits of Robin Hood and his band of merry men. Howard Pyle presents Sherwood Forest as a rather glamorous utopian world where feasting and song abound, where it is never winter, and where the ale rarely runs dry. Robin Hood clearly represents a form of hedonism, and in his company there is never a lack of action, adventure, or for that matter - ale. But it's not the beer that attracts us to Robin Hood, it's rather his bravado. There is no end to the accomplishments of muscles and mind, as he and his merry band outwit all comers by sheer physical skill in archery, wrestling, swordmanship, and quarter-staff combat, or by outsmarting them with deceit and disguise. To our delight, Robin's brawn and brains always come out on top at the end.

Howard Pyle's collection of Robin Hood's merry adventures is a classic that is constantly entertaining and exciting - one that you'll want to own and read over and over!

It pains me to read the reviews here by people who bought this book looking for the Disney fox. This is a legend, folklore, not fairy tale. It's closer to Beowulf than Beauty and the Beast. The language is fantastic, poetry! I read it first when I was very young, fourth grade maybe, but I enjoyed it then as much as I enjoy it now. The language is an obstacle for the first two pages, maybe three, but, after you acclimatize yourself to it, it creates a unique mood and atmosphere. This book is one of my all time favorites. I laughed, I cried, I wrote a review.

Pyle's book is simply THE GREATEST version of the Robin Hood legend ever written (it is no wonder it has been in print for one hundred years). The poetic Medieval english is never too difficult for readers of a young age because the dialogue is stirring, a blood-rousing call to adventure with Robin and his merry men. Pyle perfectly captures everything that makes the Robin Hood legend still compelling today, without making the battles between noble Robin and the corrupt government of early England into a treacly, heavy-handed lesson in morals (unlike many of the books his contemporaries were writing).

This book is especially fun to read aloud; it was a popular read with the kids I babysat for in high school. (Plus, what kid doesn't dream once in a while of running away and living in the forest, hunting deer with longbows, and showing off in front of the damsel of his dreams by defeating the "bad guy" in a duel of broadswords?)

Oh how I loved this book! I wasn't too sure about it at the onset, but after a couple of chapters, I fell in love with the language and the silliness of the characters. It was like reading an intellectual comic book... I didn't feel like I was slumming and my time was well spent. I'd love to reread it (and I never do that) just to savor every sentence.

It's amazing how contemporary Robin Hood is. The merry men are just a bunch of slackers (Robin included) who just want to drink ale and give somebody a good beating. It's the best non-violent violent book that you can find LOL...

In the late 1800s, an American author and illustrator named Howard Pyle collected many old ballads and legends of Robin Hood and edited the text into one cohesive novel. His collection was targeted towards the children of the day, and he included many illustrations in order to set the mood of Robin Hood and his band of merry men. Unfortunately this Kindle edition doesn't contain any illustrations! This is a major bummer, and I truly feel it detracts greatly from the experience of this book.

Putting the illustration issue aside, The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood tells the story of folk hero and philanthropist Robin Hood, who famously robs from the rich to give back to the poor. We follow his adventures through confrontations with Little John and Friar Tuck, and his ongoing feud with the bad guy: Sheriff of Nottingham.

These stories are classics, and as a result the prose is obviously not contemporary - it can be tough to follow at times. If you give this book to your kids, expect to do some translating. Here's a sentence from the first few pages of the book:

"Now," quoth Robin, "will I go too, for fain would I draw a string for the bright eyes of my lass and a butt of good October brewing."

In general the dialogue is more difficult to follow than the action. Now this writing isn't completely impenetrable, but I can see how it would be difficult for a youngster in 2010. It may even be tough for some adults! Just something to be aware of before you dive into this book.

I still enjoy this book, but I have to admit that this lack of illustrations is a major blow. The price is right, and if you're into the classics - then you'll probably enjoy this book illustrations or not. Personally though, I'd pick up a version with the artwork.

I only add to the many splendidly written reviews because I am surprised none of the reviews have mentioned the illustrations. I hope these editions still contain Pyle's original woodblock styled illustrations. Howard Pyle was first and foremost a great and renowned illustrator. He chose a woodblock print style for this book as well suited to the material, and the illustrations are detailed, well researched and evocative.

The fake "medieval English" is extraordinarily well-done; it adds to the charm and period flavor while using the few archiac terms with such precision that anyone can infer their meanings, yet one would be at a loss how to replace them with modern terms. As to the thematic content of the book, much has been made of the heroic aspect, but I find just as appealing the comedic turn of the book. The epilogue is certainly heart-rending, the first writing ever to have drawn tears from my eyes (I believe I was nine), but there are many more other episodes that are truly and splendidly funny. Last, the key to Robin's success in Pyle's retelling of his exploits, as much as his skill with a bow and his wit, was that his initial reaction to any stranger or strange situation was friendliness and generousity.

This is the best version of Robin Hood I have read. The dialogue is so authentic, and the stories may be read separately or simultaneously. Either way, the tales make one large story; the story of Robin Hood. The prologue doesn't ramble like some do, and it does well in explaining why Robin is outlawed. While the Sheriff is very serious and deadly, Robin tricks him so easily and merrily quick, but, like civil gentleman, makes sure not to over-annoy him.
The illustrations are very detailed and authentic as well.
From the back:

The beloved adventures of Robin Hood come vividly to life in this wonderful illustrated version by Howard Pyle. Deep in Sherwood Forest, the legendary Robin Hood-the brave, good-humored outlaw- proves himself the best in England with his bow. Here are all the exciting tales of how Little John, Will Scarlet, Alan a Dale, and Friar Tuck joined his merry band of men...Robin Hood's breathtaking escapes from his arch enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham...and one hilarious escapade after another, filled with quick action, scheming villains, and great surprises. Days of old bursting with pageantry, knights, and beautiful maidens return in a superb classic story.

I also recommend the Story of King Arthur and his Knights by Howard Pyle. It's just as well written and illustrated.

"This Townsend Library classic has been carefully edited to be more accessible to today's students."

...somehow I missed the description of this when I ordered this particular edition. It is entirely misleading for this book to claim to be written by "Howard Pyle" as it has been cut, slashed and dumbed down as to be almost unrecognizable. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood is a beautifully written work, composed with beautiful language - that's how it should be read and enjoyed. It is not an easy read, but not every beautiful thing in life is supposed to be easy.

If you're looking for a cliff notes version of the story, purchase this edition. If you're satified with the shell of a story, great, this is for you. If you're looking to purchase and enjoy "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" by Howard Pyle this is absolutely not it.

Seldom does one come across such a fresh, delightful storyteller as is Pyle. His use of language archaic even in his day brings a sense that perhaps Will Scathlock himself, "as full of tales as an egg is of meat," sits at your shoulder reeling off his master's merry adventures. In these days of complicated plots and subplots, of heros beset as much by thier own angst as foes, this book shines as a gem of uncomplicated reading pleasure for all ages. Though some may feel the language too dense for younger readers, I would highly recommend Pyle to any parent. True, he/she may have to put up with a few "I wot's" and "Marry, methinks," but this seems to me harmless enough, and though there is violence, there is also consequence and remorse. Finally, unlike some books for young reader, this book will probably find itself in the parent's hands as well