Stephen R. Lawhead's "Hood"

I've spent the last few evenings reading a fabulous new book. Let me preface the coming review with a bit of personal information about me: I love Robin Hood. Like, I get giddy with joy over every new Robin Hood tale that comes out, movies, from the serious to the ridiculous, (Men in Tights, anyone?), TV shows, mini-series, and books. There's just something that gets me about a single man taking up for a poor, oppressed, overtaxed people, doing what he can to make their lives better.

So, onto the book!

As the name indicates, Hood is about the legendary Robin Hood. But not in the way we remember. The story is set in medieval Wales, shortly after the Norman invasion of England. Anyone familiar with the common Robin Hood mythos will recognize the deviation in that. In fact, the main character's name isn't even Robin Hood. The character's have old Celtic and French names, which can be difficult to read.

And yet? I couldn't put it down.

Bran ap Brychan is the rightful heir to the currently Norman occupied throne of Elfael. This heir wants nothing to do with the throne and spends most of his days doing what he can to aggravate his father, the king. After the king's brutal murder at the hands of an invading Norman army, Bran's first thought is to flee, but is convinced to stay and try to reason with King William the Red to get his land back. When this attempt fails, he again, tries to flee.

A great deal of the story is Bran's personal acceptance of his role in the world and his responsibility for his people. But when he finally steps up to his destiny, he becomes the hero we knew he would become from the beginning.

The story is steeped in (accurate) medieval history and geography. I know this, because I looked a lot of it up online. I like a story that claims roots in the real world. The characters are rich, deep, and just as fickle and conflicted as most people I know, making it much easier for me to connect with them. Even the villians, who aren't as evil as they are ambitious.

All in all, I liked it a great deal, and will be purchasing the sequel, Scarlet.

And as a personal aside, when we were introduced to Friar Tuck and Little John? I squeeled like a little girl.