Hood-A Book Review

Lawhead, Stephen R. Hood. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2006.

Ever since my early dose of the Disney cartoon classic Robin Hood, I have always loved the timeless tale of the heroic outlaw. Whether it was the Disney fox in tights or a forest dwelling Kevin Costner, I treasured the story. Therefore, it was with some hesitancy that I began Hood, the first book in the most recent Stephen Lawhead trilogy. However, Lawhead's expansive historical knowledge of medieval Britain and creative genius managed to present a balanced novel that neither errs in betraying the well-known story or in being painfully rote.

Hood is set in 11th century Wales, somewhat different than the post-Crusades England most are familiar with. Lawhead's knowledge of the land and its history is the driving force of this novel. From the flora and fauna names to the Kings and cities, Lawhead's writing places his reader deep in the misty green land of early British freedom fighters. Another entertaining characteristic is that the reader only slowly sees how he is in fact reading a story about "Robin Hood." Lawhead introduces the familiar subtly and sweetly. The reader slowly unfolds the interwoven "Robin Hood" plot with pleasant "Ah ha" moments. Given the author's skill for penning short chapters with achingly suspenseful endings, one can quickly devour the 472 pages. The book contains a helpful pronunciation guide on the last page, and I would encourage any reader to look over this to aid in wading through Welsh or Celtic words commonly used.

I recently heard a panel of scholars talking about Lawhead's work alongside such writers as Tolkein and Lewis. Whether or not Lawhead deserves such lofty company, you can decide. However, I feel confident that any Robin Hood fan will enjoy Lawhead's Hood.

-RO