While Pyle managed to create a cheerful trickster of a protagonist, he ultimately failed to capture the spirit of Robin Hood in my opinion.
...moreWhile Pyle managed to create a cheerful trickster of a protagonist, he ultimately failed to capture the spirit of Robin Hood in my opinion.
Granted, I only read the first few chapters, but it was enough to convince me not to continue reading.
What bothered me was that in this version all of Robin's heroic and leadership traits relied only on natural-born talents, and he was as ready to do harm to someone he didn't like as were the villains.
For example, in the story there is a tale of how Robin robs a Tinker (or, a man who is under command to deliver Robin a warrant of arrest). The part I don't like about this tale is that Robin not only steals the warrant of arrest from the Tinker, but he also takes all the Tinker's money and goods, too. Sure, stealing is what Robin Hood does—except, in this case, the Tinker isn't a king's nobleman. Albeit the Tinker's in the king's service, but he's still just an ordinary man trying to make a living like everyone else. Robin then leaves the poor Tinker in the hands of an angry bartender and runs away. While it may have been clever on Robin's part, I don't think that robbing the poor with no intention of returning the money was a part of the true legend.
Here is the scene from the book, just after Robin has caused the Tinker to drink himself to sleep in a bar:
Then Robin Hood laughed aloud and quickly took the warrant from out the Tinker's pouch with his deft fingers. "Sly art thou, Tinker," quoth he, "but not yet, I bow, art thou as sly as that same sly thief Robin Hood."
Then he called the host to him and said, "Here, good man, are ten broad shillings for the entertainment thou hast given us this day. See that thou takest good care of thy fair guest there, and when he wakes thou mayst again charge him ten shillings also, and if he hath it not, thou mayst take his bag and hammer, and even his coat, in payment. Thus do I punish those that come into the greenwood to deal dole to me. As for thine own self, never knew I landlord yet that would not charge twice an he could."
At this the host smiled slyly, as though saying to himself the rustic saw, "Teach a magpie to suck eggs."
The illustrations N.C. Wyeth created for the story are rather nice, however. Here's a google search for some of them, for anyone who's interested: http://bit.ly/rpIFaC(less)
As an introduction to the world of medieval literature the audiobook does a passable job, but it fails to either take the reader to a level of deeper ...moreAs an introduction to the world of medieval literature the audiobook does a passable job, but it fails to either take the reader to a level of deeper appreciation or to tell the books in a light enough way that we can enjoy them.
Professor Shutt's explanations and readings are difficult to follow. He has long, awkward pauses in his narrative pacing, which often left me discombobulated.
I would say that it could be more effective if I had time to study each piece he lists in great detail, but in that case I don't think the course would provide enough introspection into the listed medieval work.
I may go over it again in the future, but not before actively reading medieval literature.(less)
This is one of the best middle-grade books of its genre.
It tells the tale of a girl who moves to a new town and finds a dog, whose cheerful ...moreThis is one of the best middle-grade books of its genre.
It tells the tale of a girl who moves to a new town and finds a dog, whose cheerful nature becomes the catalyst for bringing a lot of the unhappy loose-ends in her life to a place where she can deal with them.
DiCamillo's presentation is thoughtful, full of rich narrative voice, and strong character. (less)
This is one of those books that pours into your heart and attaches itself to your brain.
In the book Randy Pausch collects dozens of pithy t...moreThis is one of those books that pours into your heart and attaches itself to your brain.
In the book Randy Pausch collects dozens of pithy thoughts about the purpose of life and how we can live it well, and he presents them with simple, cheerful stories.
As an overview of the eastern religions I think this course does an okay job. Professor Prothero keeps a good perspective on all the religions from an...moreAs an overview of the eastern religions I think this course does an okay job. Professor Prothero keeps a good perspective on all the religions from an academic angle.
Three stars for its thorough research and clear presentation.(less)
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