The Outlaws of Sherwood in Into the Forest

Apr 23, 2010 Mir rated it liked it

McKinley explores the circumstances that might have led to the formation of an outlaw community in Sherwood and the growth of the Robin Hood legend. She contrasts Robin's practical concerns (not being arrested and executed, taking care of his followers when they decide to live in the woods) with the more abstract political ideals of those who want to make him a symbol of Saxon resistance. McKinley's Robin is not a great archer or a brilliant strategist, but he is an inspiring leader.

This was a McKinley explores the circumstances that might have led to the formation of an outlaw community in Sherwood and the growth of the Robin Hood legend. She contrasts Robin's practical concerns (not being arrested and executed, taking care of his followers when they decide to live in the woods) with the more abstract political ideals of those who want to make him a symbol of Saxon resistance. McKinley's Robin is not a great archer or a brilliant strategist, but he is an inspiring leader.

This was a great idea, but there were some serious weaknesses in the execution.

First, the political discussions. I'm sorry, I just don't believe medieval peasants talked like this, especially when they had accidentally killed someone hours before and were urgently trying to escape. Much, especially, sounds more like someone giving responses on a political talk show than someone talking about real life with friends.

The second problem -- and this won't surprise prior readers of McKinley ([cough:]Spindle's End[cough:]) -- was point of view. For the first two thirds of the book, the pov is Robin's. Then suddenly we have a brief shift to Marian at her father's castle. Then in the last few chapters we are seeing from the point of view of Cecily, Will Scarlet's little sister.

And that's third -- Cecily. She was fine as a character, but I didn't see any reason to make up an additional character when there were so many already to choose from that I could hardly keep them straight. If McKinley had wanted to add a character to to serve as narrator throughout the story, that would have made sense, but why invent one who isn't really important until fairly late in the book? If the author wanted more female perspective she could have used Marian, who really doesn't get as much page time as the character seems to deserve. And Cecily's romance was weak; you know, authors, it is okay to have a female character who doesn't fall in love with anyone. Really it is.

Lastly, I did not find the ending very satisfactory. I don't think there is a good way to "end" Robin Hood. That's why the tales are so episodic and their timeline so unclear. Robin Hood's story has a vague beginning and an even fuzzier termination; the important part is the adventures in the wood (which is as much the Forest Eternal as Sherwood), the series of jokes, tricks, and thefts against oppressive enemies, rescuing comrades from danger... Is there really a believable happy ending for a bunch of outlaws living in the wild? Not really. McKinley wants the story to be short and delineated -- a couple years in Sherwood, a couple minor victories against the Sheriff, a major battle, The End. And that's not the right feel for a story with an epic cycle. I realize that is McKinley's point. Yeah, the outlaws probably would have been lucky to make it two years before getting caught. It just was kind of a let down.

If you're a McKinley completist or fan of Robin Hood adaptations by all means pick this up. It was not unenjoyable, the flaws were just a bit too glaring for me to love it. ...more

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Dec 17, 2009 Katy rated it really liked it

Romance, adventure, Robin McKinley does it again.

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Jan 29, 2020 Giselle added it · review of another edition

Shelves: dnf

DNF'd 60 pages in. Is it worth picking this back up? I wasn't excited reading it and I felt like every story beat was in there just for the sake of the retelling and not for the sake of the characters or the story... ...more

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