Customer Reviews

Robin's Country

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dummy, a young boy who is unable to talk, runs away from his cruel master. Though he has heard there are wolves and outlaws in Sherwood Forest, it's the only place he can hide. Delirious with fever, he stumbles into a cave, part of Robin Hood's tiny "kingdom," hidden by a dense thicket and protected by Our Lady of the Forest. At first, Robin and, especially, Marian are afraid that Dummy might be a spy for the wicked Prince John, but soon he is accepted by the green-clad outlaws. It's Marian who teaches him to use a bow and arrow, because she's the best archer. Robin becomes Dummy's hero, and the boy hopes, one day, to be just like him. This is an inspiring story of faith, honor, courage and friendship. The descriptions of the greenwood are lovely, and the characters come alive. There are many exciting, often humorous, adventures. And there's a delightful surprise happy ending. Although "Robin's Country" is written primarily for young readers, I think anyone interested in Robin Hood would enjoy it. Some other good books based on the Robin Hood legend are Theresa Tomlinson's "The Forestwife" and "Child of the May" and Robin McKinley's "The Outlaws of Sherwood."

Monica Furlong took the classic tale of Robin Hood and his Merry Men in Sherwood forest, and adds an exciting twist with the help of "Dummy", a mute servant of a cruel master near Sherwood. When Dummy was able to escape, he tumbled into adventure with Robin and his men. Working hard to win Marion's trust, Dummy gains friendship and his voice back. He has to learn from Marion how to shoot a bow, and she has no patience for him, believing he is a spy. Dummy not only has to overcome this distrust, but also his lack of speech, and knowledge of his past. He makes "scratchings" that hints at his past, though he doesn't know what the scratchings mean. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read an exciting book, no matter what their age. I first read this book when I was 8, but it is still my favorite book in my library at age 14.

This is an inspiring and well-written book. I love the way this book gives a new point of view to our old favorite outlaw Robin Hood. This is more to the caring side of the man and helps you to learn more about the most famous gang in literature. A young boy, Dummy, who can't talk, runs away from his cruel master due to the cruel and unusual punishment he has received. He runs to Sherwood Forest where he believes that he will be killed by either wolves and outlaws but it is his only hope to live. He soon becomes sick and he stumbles into a cave, part of Robin Hood's kingdom, which is hidden by a dense thicket. At first, Robin and, especially, Marian think that Dummy may be a spy for Prince John. Eventually he is accepted by the men in green. We also soon find out that his name is Richard. Marian is to be his teacher with the bow and arrow, for many believe she's the best archer. Robin become Dummy's friend and hero he hopes to become just like him. This book shows faith, honor, courage and friendship. All of which are greatly woven in. There is a surprise for all at the end, though it will make you think how it happened.

This is a wonderful, wonderful retelling of the Robin Hood legend. As a retelling of an age-old story, there are no great suprises or unexpected plot twists. Nonetheless, the book is rich, detailed, and really connects the reader to the characters.

I loved it, and my children loved it.

At a recent camp, I read this book to a cabin full of girls ages 8 - 11. They were spellbound, and would have listened happily all night long, if my voice had held out! I was as enthralled as they were. We suffered with little Dummy as we learned of his life of fear and hunger, so completely lacking in love. The mystery of his dim memory of being loved and comfortable intrigued us. When Dummy accidentally falls into Robin's forest hideaway, and he is looked on with suspicion, as a possible spy, we agonized that he couldn't speak to defend himself. As Dummy gains the trust and love of the people in Robin's Country, and learns to return it, we rejoiced with him. This book kept us all living in Robin's Country right to its glorious finish

Even though this book is a captivating telling of Robin Hood, I feel there was room to expand a little. The descriptive essence is wonderful, and the revealing of Dummy's past keeps you going to the end. The end does come a little quickly, but the contents is still satisfying. For those who want a dose of Furlong, but don't want to read the length of Juniper or Wise child, this is a great way to get it.

My 7 year old son LOVED this book as a read along. He also did well reading some of the passages, as he is a good reader, so it is a nice "you-and-me" book. Story is gentle and engaging for this age.

Mix together one mute servant boy, one fat friar, one fair maiden, one cruel sheriff, one tyrannical prince, and the most notorious outlaw ever, then add a dash of merry men, and sprinkle with daring and adventure, and what do you get? Robin's Country! Dummy, a mute servant boy, accidently stumbles across the secret hideout of Robin Hood, and then the adventure begins! The reader travels with Dummy through one exciting year in Sherwood Forest- the most incredible year of Dummy's life. For Dummy is about to regain his gift of speech, come face-to-face with his past, and discover his true identity. This book is a definite must-read!

Robin's Country is the latest retelling of the ever-popular Robin Hood myth, and not one of the more successful. This rather slight forage into folklore never strayed far from the traditional legend and there were very few instances of the unusual creativity present in Monica Furlong's superior Juniper and Wise Child. While all the traditional people were present, almost all of them were given very little character. Even Robin and Marian were mere caricatures, given just enough information to give them personality beyond legends.

To balance these flaws, Robin's Country contains plenty of action and is never dull. Dummy is a likeable enough protagonist, and his archery lessons, struggles to speak, and relationships with the other characters are fairly interesting.

Not bad, on the whole; Robin's Country could lead the reader to Robin McKinley's realistic and complex Outlaws of Sherwood and perhaps even Jennifer Roberson's richly detailed Lady of the Forest.

I feel very strongly that Ms. Furlong's newest book is no match for Wise Child or Juniper. A strong plot but not full and as captivating as some of her earlier works. There is not enough background on Dummy's past life and you do not bond with the character and share with him the strife and joy that the story suggests. No offense meant Ms. Furlong.