Outlaw: A Novel of Robin Hood (The Outlaw Chronicles Book 1)

I loved this book. I found it completely engrossing. It fleshes out the characters from the legend (at least Robin Hood and Alan Dale) nicely and adds the richness of historical detail to stories that are much more realistic than simple "stole from the rich and gave to the poor". I'm already on the second book and am hooked.I'm sometimes a stickler for historical accuracy, but the essence of historical fiction is plausibility, which I think some readers who have critiqued the book here have missed. Yes, it's entirely plausible that there was a real Robin Hood and that he was the head of a Mafia-like gang of "criminals" in a period of change in England's history. And it's even plausible that he was an avowed pagan. Many crusaders were not particularly devout or even Christian -- they went on the Third Crusade because they were strong-armed into it, either by their monarchs or by the Pope.However, it's the second book that is really about the crusade. This first book lays the groundwork, and gives us an entertaining look into the lives of Alan Dale and Robin Hood. I like Bernard Cornwell's Saxon series just like the next person, but I actually think this is faster paced and doesn't sag in the middle, as some of Cornwell's books do (I know I will be vilified by his fans for writing this, but to each his own). Of course, it isn't a contest. Having more entertaining books to read is always better, whether they are Cornwell or Donald, and I intend to get on with reading the rest of this series. It's a good read.

Angus Donald's "Outlaw" is a Saturday afternoon matinee of historical fiction; an action-packed thrill ride through Henry II's 12th century England as seen through the eyes of Alan Dale, side kick to the mythical Robin Hood, aka - in this version of the oft told tale - as Robert Odo, "Lord of Sherwood." Donald's Robin Hood is like none other you've likely encountered - a brutal and savage rebel who uses raw power and fear to maintain the loyalty and support of the peasants he protects while plundering those rich enough and foolish enough to travel through the King's royal Sherwood Forrest without sufficient protection. Yet at the same time he is an insightful and inspirational leader who understands human nature as well as he does battle strategy. Since there is no definitive proof that there ever was a Robin Hood, Donald's interpretation is as good as any - at least as fun to read as the gritty cinema versions splashed across the screen by Kevin Costner or, more recently, Russell Crowe, are to watch. Definitely not for the squeamish, Donald doesn't shy away from 12th century brutality, whether practiced on the battlefield or in medieval methods of torture deployed in equal measure to instill loyalty or extract information.The elderly Alan Dale is the narrator, recounting the story from his youth where, as the surviving son of a widow, he resorts to thievery to supplement his mother's meager income. When caught by the evil Sir Ralph Murdac, High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Dale is sentenced to have his right arm chopped off. Narrowly escaping, limbs intact, young Dale seeks out the outlaw Odo for protection, and is soon a contributing member to Odo's growing army of thieves. You'll find all the familiar characters of your youth - Little John, the hulking giant enforcer of the gang, Friar Tuck, the mildly pious, stout monk accompanied by a pair of wolf hounds from hell, and of course "Marie-Anne," a beautiful but chaste woman from a noble family who occasionally escapes to the deeply hidden caves of the gang to cavort with Robin. Considering the near constant drunken partying, with no lack of food, wine and ale from their plunder, Robin and his boys - and requisite groupie wenches - could I guess be described as "merry," though any of his adversaries crossing their paths may take issue. These are hardly fun guys.I won't pretend to be an English historian, but Donald's research seemed authentic enough - if perhaps derivative of Bernard Cornwell. A sick and aging King Henry is vulnerable, while the estranged but still powerful Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine languishes in near exile, supporting son and heir Richard, who prefers southern France to England. At least when not chasing the infidel around the Holy Land. Donald shares a Cornwell-like distain for the early Christian Church, and throws in some dark scenes of the pagans whose ancient Gods most certainly maintained a strong - if diminishing - following at that time. Critics may point out that Robin Hood's speeches sound a lot like Braveheart, and may question the veracity in the scale of the battles between the outlaw army and Murdac's men. But that would be like questioning the physics depicted in Star Wars. For Donald's goal is not to educate, but to entertain. And he succeeds, delivering a raucous and grisly tale of high adventure in the Middle Ages. This is the first of at least three volumes - I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Absolutely loved the entire Outlaw series! Read them twice via the library (which is a mission in itself just trying to get them all!) and have now bought the lot and read again. Each one drew me in so well, I was always surprised to find myself sitting in my lounge when I had to put it down.Cant say enough good things about them all.

As a boy, I thrilled to adventures depicted by the great team of director Michael Curtiz and his frequent stars, Errol Flynn and Olivia DeHavilland; and to this day,  The Adventures of Robin Hood (Two-Disc Special Edition)  remains my pick as a perfectly done boy's tale. Recent years have brought the opportunity to return to Sherwood with a pair of fine trilogies, one by the well established, successful author Stephen Lawhead ( Hood (The Raven King, Book 1) ), the other by newcomer Angus Donald ( Outlaw ) (reportedly, two more volumes are planned). Since not everyone will feel the urge to tackle a series by an unknown author when there is already available one who is already very popular. I will focus my attention on the Angus Donald series lest people miss out on a terrificly entertaining journey.The "Outlaw" series is told from the perspective of Alan Dale, the young troubador in Robin Hood's band of merry men. Robin (or Robert Fitz Odo in this version of the tale) himself is the object of Alan's hero worship/criticism, and he is a rather complex figure who remains at arms length throughout the series, a distance appropriate to the point of view. Little John and Friar Tuck, King Richard and Prince John, Maid Marian and other favorites are all present, as is a wonderful villain in the Sheriff of Nottingham, herein cast as one Ralph Murdac. There is even a Saracen, but not at all in the way one would expect.There is gore, rape, pillage and plunder that all seems to fit realistically into the milieu, and indeed Mr. Donald's fine attention to historical detail is a welcome addition to the myth. Put another way, this is not a version that should be recommended to youngsters. It is thrilling and fast-paced, as though Michael Curtiz had done an R-rated movie for current audiences. I read and enjoyed both series, but on the whole think that I preferred Mr. Donald's take on the legend. I greatly look forward to the final two parts.

This certainly ties all the stories and movies about Robin Hood together along with King Richard in a fine story written by an excellent writer. I have not read his books before but I will look forward to his future novels

O problema do livro é que a personagem que narra a história não é cativante. A personalidade de Alan fica sempre na sombra daqueles que estão a sua volta, bem diferente de Derfel ou Uthred de Bernard Cornwell. O autor caracterizou um Robin Hood interessante, mas o jeito paternalista com que ele trata Alan não ajuda no crescimento da personagem principal.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and have ordered book 2. Can't wait for it to arrive.

Thoroughly enjoyable

Since a child I've always been fascinated with Robin Hood and have fond memories of watching the shows on TV.This book attempts to tell the Robin Hood tale in more realistic point of view and that interested me enough to buy it.As others have mentioned this is a story told from the perspective of a young Alan Dale, being taken in by Robin and his men after Alan has been caught stealing.It's an interesting twist and an enjoyable enough read but it isn't the type of story with lots of turns and twists and it didn't grip me to the same extent that I couldn't put it down.The author uses a number of historical words and phrases and I was thankful I could use the dictionary in the Kindle so I could understand these and enhance the story.The story is also careful to use and draw inspiration from events around that time, settings, places and characters, so whilst this adds a certain level of authenticity, at other times my mind was struggling to decide what was fact or fiction.Add into this the various telling and retelling of Robin Hood stories, I did start to blend in elements of the ITV series 'Robin of Sherwood' starring Michael Praed into the story, as a way of trying to make things slightly more familiar (maybe that's just me?)As the story reaches its climax, things come together a bit better and sorts details out in a way that some of us are familiar with but then leaves itself open for the sequel, to take the story into a different direction and part of the Robin Hood mythology/story.Overall I enjoyed it and will probably buy the second book but I may have to be in the right mood to start the next story.