Book Review: The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

The Novel, 'The Merry Adventure of Robin Hood' by Howard Pyle is a story of how the Legend, Robin Hood lived his life in Sherwood Forest... Robin was brought up as an upright person. He was a skilled archer (in history, no man has ever surpassed him in archery).

One day, when Robin Hood was still a very young lad, he heard that the Sheriff has organized a competition in which all archers in Northermshire are invited to participate. Robin Hood left his place to go for the competition. On his way, he met some men (the King's men) who were enjoying themselves in Sherwood Forest. When they saw him, they asked Robin Hood where he is headed to and he told them that he wants to go and participate in the competition set by the Sheriff. When the men heard this, they laughed at Robin Hood. They mocked him and told him that he is no match for to participate not to talk of winning the prize. This vexed Robin Hood to the extent that he challenged one the men (who belittled him) to shoot at a tiny object in six paces farther. The man took the challenge and he loss to Robin Hood. This annoyed the man as Robin Hood told him that the man is of nothing.

As Robin Hood continues his journey, the man whom he defeated shot an arrow at him which by fair lucky missed him. Robin Hood was annoyed and he also took out his bow and with only one shot, his arrow entered the man's heart and he died. As a result of this, Robin Hood was declared and outlaw and bounty was placed on his head. He could no longer go for the competition and he thus resides in Sherwood forest where he met many other outlaws and became their leader.
*****
The story accounts for the merry life of Robin Hood, how he survived in Sherwood Forest, his adventures and how he became legend in all England as the best archer.
******
To be candid, I enjoyed every bit of this story, line-by-line, word-for-word. Although the novel is in ancient English (Shakespearian English), yet it was a good read.

You may want to read this novel as there are a lot of lessons to be learnt from it. For example, in certain part of the novel when Little John, the right-hand man of Robin Hood met two Friars (Holy Men), he asked them for half penny but they told (lied to) him that they have no money. Unfortunately for them, Little John found out that they have a lot of money hidden in them and they eventually loss the money to him.
I recommend that you find this novel and read it.
My rating: 5 star