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Nottingham #1
Nottingham
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Historical Fiction (2019)Both a gripping historical epic and fascinating deconstruction of the Robin Hood legend, Nathan Makaryk's Nottingham mixes history and myth into a complex study of power--one that twists and turns far beyond the traditional tale of Sherwood Forest's iconic thief.
No king. No rules.
England, 1191. King Richard is half a world away, fighting for God and his own ambition. Back home, his country languishes, bankrupt and on the verge of anarchy. People with power are running unchecked. People without are growing angry. And in Nottingham, one of the largest shires in England, the sheriff seems intent on doing nothing about it.
As the leaves turn gold in the Sherwood Forest, the lives of six people--Arable, a servant girl with a secret, Robin and William, soldiers running from their pasts, Marion, a noblewoman working for change, Guy of Gisbourne, Nottingham's beleaguered guard captain, and Elena Gamwell, a brash, ambitious thief--become intertwined.
And a strange story begins to spread . . .
No king. No rules.
England, 1191. King Richard is half a world away, fighting for God and his own ambition. Back home, his country languishes, bankrupt and on the verge of anarchy. People with power are running unchecked. People without are growing angry. And in Nottingham, one of the largest shires in England, the sheriff seems intent on doing nothing about it.
As the leaves turn gold in the Sherwood Forest, the lives of six people--Arable, a servant girl with a secret, Robin and William, soldiers running from their pasts, Marion, a noblewoman working for change, Guy of Gisbourne, Nottingham's beleaguered guard captain, and Elena Gamwell, a brash, ambitious thief--become intertwined.
And a strange story begins to spread . . .
496 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2019
About the author
Nathan Makaryk
3 books115 followersNathan is a writer, playwright, actor, director, and comedian. He is a co-owner of the Maverick Theater in Fullerton, CA, where he premiered his original play "The Legend of Robin Hood" in April 2012. This work was later developed into his debut historical epic NOTTINGHAM, published by Tor/Forge Books in August 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
January 2, 2020
As with the King Arthur legend, there have also been endless retellings of the story of Robin Hood. One of my favorites of these is the King Raven Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead which came at the tale from a purely-historical context, minus the glamorous and mythical elements. So when I received a copy of NOTTINGHAM by Nathan Makaryk from the publisher Tor-Forge and read the inside sleeve, I was more than curious to find out how this book would stack up in comparison.
The story begins in a very familiar way, in England circa 1191. King Richard is off fighting the Crusades and the Sheriff of Nottingham is busy levelling crippling taxes on the already impoverished citizens in a desperate effort to fund the war. However, things aren't going so well and when the production and flow of weapons begins to dwindle to a mere trickle, Robin of Locksley travels back to Nottingham with his partner in arms William de Wendenal to find out exactly what is going on. What he finds is instability and a pocket of resistance that are in need of direction and a leader.
As events begin to unfold in earnest, we are introduced to a number of familiar characters as well as numerous characters who we may not know so well, yet are major viewpoint characters in the story. This is the true strength of this book as Makaryk adds much to this timeless story by showing how the "non-stars of the show" are impacted by what is taking place and relays their feelings through various alternating viewpoints. It really is an interesting way to handle the legend and something that made the book so much more enjoyable in my opinion. Yes Robin Hood is still a major character and player, but he almost takes a backseat at times to the other characters that Makaryk has focused his attention on.
I thought that NOTTINGHAM was such a refreshing take on the Robin Hood mythos. Rather than relying on the usual story that we've read and seen a thousand times as the basis for his story, Makaryk takes a daring risk that pays off incredibly well in the end. One of my favorite aspects of NOTTINGHAM was reading about characters who I thought I had a firm handle on, and then seeing them portrayed in an entirely different way than I was used to or expecting. He constantly kept me on my toes and I literally did not know what to expect from page to page. There's a subtle twisting of each character's personality and motivations that creates a whole new angle for the story and gives you an alternate possibility for how it actually could have gone.
I read a review that said something like "I just can't ever picture Robin Hood at that time in history saying something like - well damn!" I normally don't critique other reviews but this entirely misses the point in my opinion. Part of what makes this retelling so great and original is that Makaryk infuses a healthy amount of modern language and humor in it. I liken it to the way that director Baz Luhrmann will take a period-piece story and spice it up with some modern flair (just not quite to the extent and the liberties that Baz takes obviously). All of this in combination makes NOTTINGHAM a beautifully-written book that nobody should miss in my opinion
If you are looking for a fresh take on the legendary story of Robin Hood and his band of merry thieves, then you should rush out and grab a copy of this book now. It's a wonderful story that entertains in the way that the classic tale does, but also challenges your assumptions and gives you an entirely new story to wrap your head around. I recommend this book to anyone who is in need of a cracking good read to begin the New Year!
The story begins in a very familiar way, in England circa 1191. King Richard is off fighting the Crusades and the Sheriff of Nottingham is busy levelling crippling taxes on the already impoverished citizens in a desperate effort to fund the war. However, things aren't going so well and when the production and flow of weapons begins to dwindle to a mere trickle, Robin of Locksley travels back to Nottingham with his partner in arms William de Wendenal to find out exactly what is going on. What he finds is instability and a pocket of resistance that are in need of direction and a leader.
As events begin to unfold in earnest, we are introduced to a number of familiar characters as well as numerous characters who we may not know so well, yet are major viewpoint characters in the story. This is the true strength of this book as Makaryk adds much to this timeless story by showing how the "non-stars of the show" are impacted by what is taking place and relays their feelings through various alternating viewpoints. It really is an interesting way to handle the legend and something that made the book so much more enjoyable in my opinion. Yes Robin Hood is still a major character and player, but he almost takes a backseat at times to the other characters that Makaryk has focused his attention on.
I thought that NOTTINGHAM was such a refreshing take on the Robin Hood mythos. Rather than relying on the usual story that we've read and seen a thousand times as the basis for his story, Makaryk takes a daring risk that pays off incredibly well in the end. One of my favorite aspects of NOTTINGHAM was reading about characters who I thought I had a firm handle on, and then seeing them portrayed in an entirely different way than I was used to or expecting. He constantly kept me on my toes and I literally did not know what to expect from page to page. There's a subtle twisting of each character's personality and motivations that creates a whole new angle for the story and gives you an alternate possibility for how it actually could have gone.
I read a review that said something like "I just can't ever picture Robin Hood at that time in history saying something like - well damn!" I normally don't critique other reviews but this entirely misses the point in my opinion. Part of what makes this retelling so great and original is that Makaryk infuses a healthy amount of modern language and humor in it. I liken it to the way that director Baz Luhrmann will take a period-piece story and spice it up with some modern flair (just not quite to the extent and the liberties that Baz takes obviously). All of this in combination makes NOTTINGHAM a beautifully-written book that nobody should miss in my opinion
If you are looking for a fresh take on the legendary story of Robin Hood and his band of merry thieves, then you should rush out and grab a copy of this book now. It's a wonderful story that entertains in the way that the classic tale does, but also challenges your assumptions and gives you an entirely new story to wrap your head around. I recommend this book to anyone who is in need of a cracking good read to begin the New Year!
January 28, 2019
It's taken me a while to write this review because this book was just so. good. All I could think of was "wow, this is exactly how excited I got when I read Game of Thrones way back when." But you know, everybody comps everything to GoT, right? So I tried to think of another clever way to put it.
How do I describe a book that has such clever turns of phrase that constantly had me reading whole passages aloud just to delight in the pure Englishness of it all? How do I describe the multitude of viewpoints, each distinct, each nuanced, each convincing you that they alone are Correct - until you get to the next chapter? How do I describe the twisty-turny plot, at times obvious, at times completely unexpected? How do I describe the familiar yet fresh takes on Little John, on Marion, on the Sheriff, on Robin? How do I even begin to describe that ending?
Yes, okay, fine. Nottingham's like reading Game of Thrones for the first time, back in the '90s, before jaded and grimdark were the Next Cool Things. Except it's a leap beyond that, a whole hundred-league step that will hopefully drag the genre kicking and screaming along with it, because it's dark, yes, but it's also full of hope and light and resilience. There's no rape. There's no gratuitous violence. I mean there's violence, yes, of course, but you never get the feeling that Makaryk is rubbing it in your face Walking Dead style.
But there are the goddamned consequences.
How do I describe a book that has such clever turns of phrase that constantly had me reading whole passages aloud just to delight in the pure Englishness of it all? How do I describe the multitude of viewpoints, each distinct, each nuanced, each convincing you that they alone are Correct - until you get to the next chapter? How do I describe the twisty-turny plot, at times obvious, at times completely unexpected? How do I describe the familiar yet fresh takes on Little John, on Marion, on the Sheriff, on Robin? How do I even begin to describe that ending?
Yes, okay, fine. Nottingham's like reading Game of Thrones for the first time, back in the '90s, before jaded and grimdark were the Next Cool Things. Except it's a leap beyond that, a whole hundred-league step that will hopefully drag the genre kicking and screaming along with it, because it's dark, yes, but it's also full of hope and light and resilience. There's no rape. There's no gratuitous violence. I mean there's violence, yes, of course, but you never get the feeling that Makaryk is rubbing it in your face Walking Dead style.
But there are the goddamned consequences.
April 6, 2019
Do you know the story of Robin Hood? Of course you do. But what exactly do you know? He’s a man in a hood, a charming thief who steals from the wealthy and gives to the poor. There’s a maiden who helps him, some merry men. An evil sheriff who tries to stop them.
Possibly you don’t remember much more.
But even if you do, even if can you remember the movie(s) in photographic detail, Nottingham will still prove you know nothing. Nottingham’s story goes so deep and wide that all of those images become like buoys, floating for a moment on the surface of your mind before you go under again. Nottingham investigates not only what these most basic and lingering elements of the story actually represent, but how they can exist at all. And driving it all, make no mistake, is a heady and exciting ride.
Possibly you don’t remember much more.
But even if you do, even if can you remember the movie(s) in photographic detail, Nottingham will still prove you know nothing. Nottingham’s story goes so deep and wide that all of those images become like buoys, floating for a moment on the surface of your mind before you go under again. Nottingham investigates not only what these most basic and lingering elements of the story actually represent, but how they can exist at all. And driving it all, make no mistake, is a heady and exciting ride.
May 10, 2019
UPDATE:
When I first read The Mists of Avalon (awfulness of MZB aside), it was a transformative experience because it was the story I thought needed to be told. That's exactly what Nottingham is to the Robin Hood legacy. And the way that Nathan Makaryk writes is clever, cutting, and just plain gorgeous.
There are some elements you never saw coming (no spoilers here), but everything is exactly as it should be.
This is one of those special books. It's not one you borrow, it's one you keep on your shelf forever.
_________________________________
I am currently in possession of an ARC of this book, and I'm moving at a glacial pace for a very good reason. I don't want to miss a word! So, while I'm reading some other fantastic ARCs on my Kindle, this one sits on my nightstand so that I can wrap myself up in it at night.
The thing is, I'm normally all about plot and story. But this book brings together everything I love about books: a great story, clever prose, and a humor that I can only define as refreshingly surprising. I keep finding myself going "wait, what?! Yep, that's what I thought that said!" So instead of reading furiously to find out what happens next, I'm along for the gruesome, gorgeous, and frequently hilarious ride. I've even stopped picturing the characters as foxes!
So, I'm tossing this review up just shy of the halfway mark because everyone needs this book on their shelves. I'll update this review if I ever bring myself to finish.
When I first read The Mists of Avalon (awfulness of MZB aside), it was a transformative experience because it was the story I thought needed to be told. That's exactly what Nottingham is to the Robin Hood legacy. And the way that Nathan Makaryk writes is clever, cutting, and just plain gorgeous.
There are some elements you never saw coming (no spoilers here), but everything is exactly as it should be.
This is one of those special books. It's not one you borrow, it's one you keep on your shelf forever.
_________________________________
I am currently in possession of an ARC of this book, and I'm moving at a glacial pace for a very good reason. I don't want to miss a word! So, while I'm reading some other fantastic ARCs on my Kindle, this one sits on my nightstand so that I can wrap myself up in it at night.
The thing is, I'm normally all about plot and story. But this book brings together everything I love about books: a great story, clever prose, and a humor that I can only define as refreshingly surprising. I keep finding myself going "wait, what?! Yep, that's what I thought that said!" So instead of reading furiously to find out what happens next, I'm along for the gruesome, gorgeous, and frequently hilarious ride. I've even stopped picturing the characters as foxes!
So, I'm tossing this review up just shy of the halfway mark because everyone needs this book on their shelves. I'll update this review if I ever bring myself to finish.
May 8, 2020
I. FINISHED. IT. 🤪
This novel was a bear of a read and masterfully constructed. Absolutely brilliantly written, though I didn't enjoy the entire ride of the book, admittedly. Neither a fan in particular of Robin Hood stories as such, nor clueless or uninterested, I picked his novel up because I needed a change in my reading pace; something meaty to chew on per se, and this was eyeing me from the shelves utterly intriguingly.
Right away, only a few pages into it, I knew I had found what I was looking for. The story begins with King Richard during the third crusade in 1191 at the port city of Acre, pressing in on Saladin. Sharp with deceit and intrigue, this novel starts very strong, full of wordplay and the promise of a captivating, intense plot.
In the meantime, back home in Nottingham, the funding of the crusade has taken a toll on infrastructure and the citizens are impoverished. When the trickle of war supplies runs low to King Richards army, Robin of Locksley is sent back from the front lines to investigate what could be the cause.
Many of the familiar tropes and parts of the tales of Robin Hood take place in the overall story of this novel, but the presentation by Makaryk is one examined under the microscope in this most detailed and very heavily character-driven novel. This is an amazing feat and there is so much detail to take in, that I wonder how it is possible to plan such an undertaking and master it with consistency as well as it was done.
Though this speaks for such utter brilliance, it doesn't come without a drawback, and that is, that the novel felt rather long in many parts.
What I did enjoy were the POV's of the different characters. A whole handful of a mixed cast, from the knifing ones to the good apples in the lot, their viewpoints and moments to shine brought a different dynamic to the table then a sole focus on Robin Hood himself. The rotation in characters turned the cogs of the plot unbeknown by others and at their own volition. While communication during this time wasn't what it is today, much speculation on the characters' part made for the perfect scenes of misunderstandings, misgivings, backstabberies, and individual triumphs and losses.
There is much to love about this in-depth look at Robin Hood, the legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore, though I did not really fall in love with any of the characters. The left-brained me was trying hard to grasp for something loveable or heartwrenching in the story and all I found was the brilliance in writing, but not a deep connection to the characters despite the mounts of trials and tribulations.
There were so many clever moments, even some heartfelt things in there like loss or young love, but nothing deviated to stir my emotions far to either side of a linear path.
After all, this is a brilliant, detailed novel not to be missed. Just know, it takes time and requires patience. The payoff lies in the amazing craft on how it all comes together in the end while keeping the reader on their toes along the entirety of the novel navigating through the maze of the Sherwood Forest and the political intrigue.
I definitely recommend this novel if you enjoy historical fiction and character-driven plots rich in detail.
Happy Reading!
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
This novel was a bear of a read and masterfully constructed. Absolutely brilliantly written, though I didn't enjoy the entire ride of the book, admittedly. Neither a fan in particular of Robin Hood stories as such, nor clueless or uninterested, I picked his novel up because I needed a change in my reading pace; something meaty to chew on per se, and this was eyeing me from the shelves utterly intriguingly.
Right away, only a few pages into it, I knew I had found what I was looking for. The story begins with King Richard during the third crusade in 1191 at the port city of Acre, pressing in on Saladin. Sharp with deceit and intrigue, this novel starts very strong, full of wordplay and the promise of a captivating, intense plot.
In the meantime, back home in Nottingham, the funding of the crusade has taken a toll on infrastructure and the citizens are impoverished. When the trickle of war supplies runs low to King Richards army, Robin of Locksley is sent back from the front lines to investigate what could be the cause.
Many of the familiar tropes and parts of the tales of Robin Hood take place in the overall story of this novel, but the presentation by Makaryk is one examined under the microscope in this most detailed and very heavily character-driven novel. This is an amazing feat and there is so much detail to take in, that I wonder how it is possible to plan such an undertaking and master it with consistency as well as it was done.
Though this speaks for such utter brilliance, it doesn't come without a drawback, and that is, that the novel felt rather long in many parts.
What I did enjoy were the POV's of the different characters. A whole handful of a mixed cast, from the knifing ones to the good apples in the lot, their viewpoints and moments to shine brought a different dynamic to the table then a sole focus on Robin Hood himself. The rotation in characters turned the cogs of the plot unbeknown by others and at their own volition. While communication during this time wasn't what it is today, much speculation on the characters' part made for the perfect scenes of misunderstandings, misgivings, backstabberies, and individual triumphs and losses.
There is much to love about this in-depth look at Robin Hood, the legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore, though I did not really fall in love with any of the characters. The left-brained me was trying hard to grasp for something loveable or heartwrenching in the story and all I found was the brilliance in writing, but not a deep connection to the characters despite the mounts of trials and tribulations.
There were so many clever moments, even some heartfelt things in there like loss or young love, but nothing deviated to stir my emotions far to either side of a linear path.
After all, this is a brilliant, detailed novel not to be missed. Just know, it takes time and requires patience. The payoff lies in the amazing craft on how it all comes together in the end while keeping the reader on their toes along the entirety of the novel navigating through the maze of the Sherwood Forest and the political intrigue.
I definitely recommend this novel if you enjoy historical fiction and character-driven plots rich in detail.
Happy Reading!
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
November 20, 2022
Well. I have a lot of thoughts.
This book had many things that I liked and enjoyed. It's told from multiple perspectives, and about half of the POVs were women. As a story, Robin Hood lore traditionally has very few women, and I always appreciate the addition of more women to even out the cast of male characters.
Something that surprised me while I was reading this book was how the storytelling and dialogue had a distinct sense of modern humor. While that would usually annoy me, I could immediately tell that it was done intentionally, and the research and attention to other historical details evened it out, and I found that I didn't mind it at all.
I know that this book is meant to be a deconstruction of the Robin Hood lore, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, but at times it felt like the book was openly mocking the traditional story. I read this book because I like Robin Hood, and because I really enjoy the story as it is, even if it might be flawed in some areas. In Nottingham characters openly laugh at the idea of hosting an archery tournament as a trap, repeatedly emphasizing how stupid it is. And sure, in the world of this particular book, an archery tournament doesn't fit the story. This happens with several other classic tropes from the mythos, too. Robin Hood as a story has developed over time and is designed to be changed in each retelling, and changing it up is fine. It doesn't have to be the same as before, but I don't enjoy laughing at it just for the sake of laughing.
I had two major problems with this book, outside of its Robin Hood content.
1) There is a past event that involves truly brutal violence towards a woman. This event, should have had more impact and affected the novel's current timeline more, but it doesn't and instead is used only to further the plot for a few rather unimportant moments. I am not a fan of women getting hurt just to further a man's plot, especially when the event and the woman are soon forgotten after.
2) This book has a problem with mental illness and disabilities. We see two characters who are neurodiverse in some way. Edmond (Robin's brother) and Gilbert of the White Hand (one of the outlaws). We are told that Edmond's mind has been "touched" and that it makes him act differently. Gilbert is given a brief chapter from his perspective and his third-person narrative is told very differently. Both Gilbert and Edmond have one thing in common. The way their brains work is directly blamed for the extreme violence they exhibit. This kind of affiliation is not okay. I should also mention that Edmond conveniently disappears after the story doesn’t have a use for him anymore and is completely forgotten, existing only as a plot device in Robin’s past, much as Vivian does. We never find out what happened to him.
Both of these issues brought my overall opinion down to a 3.5, saved from a 2.5 only because I genuinely enjoyed the beginning. The first half of this book was otherwise a lot of fun! Enjoyable to read! And then I read the end. Not all endings have to be feel-good, but this one barely felt like an ending. So that brought my rating down to a solid 2. My interest and enjoyment of the story continually dropped with each chapter, and rather than relishing the end of a good book, I found I was glad to escape a rather unenjoyable book.
This book had many things that I liked and enjoyed. It's told from multiple perspectives, and about half of the POVs were women. As a story, Robin Hood lore traditionally has very few women, and I always appreciate the addition of more women to even out the cast of male characters.
Something that surprised me while I was reading this book was how the storytelling and dialogue had a distinct sense of modern humor. While that would usually annoy me, I could immediately tell that it was done intentionally, and the research and attention to other historical details evened it out, and I found that I didn't mind it at all.
I know that this book is meant to be a deconstruction of the Robin Hood lore, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, but at times it felt like the book was openly mocking the traditional story. I read this book because I like Robin Hood, and because I really enjoy the story as it is, even if it might be flawed in some areas. In Nottingham characters openly laugh at the idea of hosting an archery tournament as a trap, repeatedly emphasizing how stupid it is. And sure, in the world of this particular book, an archery tournament doesn't fit the story. This happens with several other classic tropes from the mythos, too. Robin Hood as a story has developed over time and is designed to be changed in each retelling, and changing it up is fine. It doesn't have to be the same as before, but I don't enjoy laughing at it just for the sake of laughing.
I had two major problems with this book, outside of its Robin Hood content.
1) There is a past event that involves truly brutal violence towards a woman. This event, should have had more impact and affected the novel's current timeline more, but it doesn't and instead is used only to further the plot for a few rather unimportant moments. I am not a fan of women getting hurt just to further a man's plot, especially when the event and the woman are soon forgotten after.
2) This book has a problem with mental illness and disabilities. We see two characters who are neurodiverse in some way. Edmond (Robin's brother) and Gilbert of the White Hand (one of the outlaws). We are told that Edmond's mind has been "touched" and that it makes him act differently. Gilbert is given a brief chapter from his perspective and his third-person narrative is told very differently. Both Gilbert and Edmond have one thing in common. The way their brains work is directly blamed for the extreme violence they exhibit. This kind of affiliation is not okay. I should also mention that Edmond conveniently disappears after the story doesn’t have a use for him anymore and is completely forgotten, existing only as a plot device in Robin’s past, much as Vivian does. We never find out what happened to him.
Both of these issues brought my overall opinion down to a 3.5, saved from a 2.5 only because I genuinely enjoyed the beginning. The first half of this book was otherwise a lot of fun! Enjoyable to read! And then I read the end. Not all endings have to be feel-good, but this one barely felt like an ending. So that brought my rating down to a solid 2. My interest and enjoyment of the story continually dropped with each chapter, and rather than relishing the end of a good book, I found I was glad to escape a rather unenjoyable book.
Read
August 1, 2023Welcome to my new Goodreads motto, which is, "If I can't give it five stars, I just won't rate it!" I'm not a professional reviewer, and I know how hard it is to write a book. I'm mostly using Goodreads to keep track of my own reading for my own enjoyment, so I will not be throwing stones at anyone else's work like, "Love the dragons, hated the name of your main character, TWO STARS!"
And now, for this book:
Huh. I can't tell if this is one of those times where someone is retelling a well-known story because they love it and want to put their own spin on it, or because they hate it and want to "fix" it.
I . . . didn't like any of the characters, until the end, when I only liked two of them, and probably not the ones I was supposed to. Everyone else was . . . really awful. And I get what he was going for (I think), that "Robin Hood" is both necessary, and bigger than one man, and that people are flawed. But . . . so many flaws. And I just . . . hated a couple of the people so. much. Like felt ANXIOUS about the chapters from one person's POV, because I didn't want to hear their thoughts, because their thoughts made me want to punch them. And there was just . . . so much violence. I mean, good grief, THE MURDERS. Just. So many murders. And women under constant threat of sexual and physical violence. I saw this listed as "gritty" historical fiction. That to me means people with pox scars living in pig shit. I didn't think of it as, "Life sucks and then you are stabbed dozens of times."
But his writing is incredibly vivid. I could picture everything: the castles and the clothes and the hair and the people's face. And I was really fascinated by the relationship between King Richard and Robin and William, the way they acted for the king and the ramifications of that. A lot of fluffier Robin Hood stories sort of gloss over the fact that the people were poor and overtaxed because of "Good King Richard" and his Crusades, and the necessity/futility of the raised taxes is talked about a great deal here. The need for a good but strict sheriff vs. the need for a Robin Hood, and who is really the hero and who is really protecting the poor. It raises a lot of questions, and definitely centers the legend in the reality of the time.
But my GOLLY THE MURDERS.
And now, for this book:
Huh. I can't tell if this is one of those times where someone is retelling a well-known story because they love it and want to put their own spin on it, or because they hate it and want to "fix" it.
I . . . didn't like any of the characters, until the end, when I only liked two of them, and probably not the ones I was supposed to. Everyone else was . . . really awful. And I get what he was going for (I think), that "Robin Hood" is both necessary, and bigger than one man, and that people are flawed. But . . . so many flaws. And I just . . . hated a couple of the people so. much. Like felt ANXIOUS about the chapters from one person's POV, because I didn't want to hear their thoughts, because their thoughts made me want to punch them. And there was just . . . so much violence. I mean, good grief, THE MURDERS. Just. So many murders. And women under constant threat of sexual and physical violence. I saw this listed as "gritty" historical fiction. That to me means people with pox scars living in pig shit. I didn't think of it as, "Life sucks and then you are stabbed dozens of times."
But his writing is incredibly vivid. I could picture everything: the castles and the clothes and the hair and the people's face. And I was really fascinated by the relationship between King Richard and Robin and William, the way they acted for the king and the ramifications of that. A lot of fluffier Robin Hood stories sort of gloss over the fact that the people were poor and overtaxed because of "Good King Richard" and his Crusades, and the necessity/futility of the raised taxes is talked about a great deal here. The need for a good but strict sheriff vs. the need for a Robin Hood, and who is really the hero and who is really protecting the poor. It raises a lot of questions, and definitely centers the legend in the reality of the time.
But my GOLLY THE MURDERS.
July 23, 2019
I just cannot finish this book. I’m not sure what it is about it, but every time i pick it up, i want to be doing or thinking about anything else. Part of what i think has happened is that the author has focused on showing the good and bad sides of each character, so there’s no one to root for. I can’t connect with anyone, because everyone is kind of an asshole. I can’t quite keep up with what they’re doing or scheming either. There are a lot of perspectives to keep track of, and i just don’t want to anymore.
July 6, 2019
In the ending Author's Note Makaryk says that he wanted to tear the story of Robin Hood to pieces, he lists a variety of reasons why, and you'll just have to buy the book to find out, but he resoundingly succeeded. I had no idea what to expect going in to this story, but I slowly began to recognize some characters, obviously Robin, Marion, Little John, Will Scarlett, etc, everything was just a little *off.* For one, there's little bits of historical accuracy sprinkled throughout, i.e. Robin is off fighting in the Crusades for Richard the Lionheart before he comes home with William de Wendenal (appears to have actually been a historical figure). They come home to figure out why the supply lines - weapons and such) have stopped only to find Nottingham in chaos because the taxes being levied have caused havoc among the impoverished.
William and Robin split with Robin going into Sherwood Forest and William going into Nottingham to meet with the Sherriff, the two of them working from both ends to try to make peace in the land, get the supply lines back up and then go back to the war. The author's attempt was to try to be more real to life, instead of good vs. evil, he wanted to show good vs. good vs. good, because aren't we all the heroes of our own stories? He did an absolutely masterful job. There are sword fights, romances, tragic deaths, rage, powerlessness, betrayal, idiocy, grasping ambition, and everything you could ask for in a 500 page book that you genuinely wish would not end. AND THE WAY IT ENDS. OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.
I have NEVER been so happy to have an author say another book would be coming. It's going on my TBR pile and it probably hasn't even been started yet. This book was amazing. I loved it.
If you're expecting Kevin Costner's Robin Hood this ain't it. It's BETTER.
William and Robin split with Robin going into Sherwood Forest and William going into Nottingham to meet with the Sherriff, the two of them working from both ends to try to make peace in the land, get the supply lines back up and then go back to the war. The author's attempt was to try to be more real to life, instead of good vs. evil, he wanted to show good vs. good vs. good, because aren't we all the heroes of our own stories? He did an absolutely masterful job. There are sword fights, romances, tragic deaths, rage, powerlessness, betrayal, idiocy, grasping ambition, and everything you could ask for in a 500 page book that you genuinely wish would not end. AND THE WAY IT ENDS. OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.
I have NEVER been so happy to have an author say another book would be coming. It's going on my TBR pile and it probably hasn't even been started yet. This book was amazing. I loved it.
If you're expecting Kevin Costner's Robin Hood this ain't it. It's BETTER.
July 31, 2019
A wonderful retelling of the Robin Hood story that really captivates. It tells the story of Robin Hood in a fresh and modern way that really seems closer to the truth than other stories. I like the story of the three women featured in this. A very interesting story that kept me interested fro beginning to end.
Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
June 14, 2019
Dark and funny and absorbing in both language and story. Makaryk has created a whole new world on the page that explores the legend of Robin Hood and asks, what if this had happened instead? I delighted in how events and characters are refashioned in this novel, it feels fresh and thoroughly modern and also faithful in its own right to the times and the historical context. The ending is unexpected and great!
Shelved as 'abandoned'
January 25, 2023Can someone please advise if this book leans more towards Lady of the Forest or Hood? Inquiring minds need to know
January 14, 2020
1st book of the new decade, finished!
Nottingham, by Nathan Makaryk, is the best Robin Hood story I've ever read (although it is my first Robin Hood read). Makaryk took an old, legendary story that's already been retold in numerous formats, and turned it into a realistic historical fiction.
This was more of a tragedy, than anything else. Unlike any other Robin Hood tale, there was no real "bad guy". That's what made this so fascinating. It was told through multiple perspectives, and each one had their own reasons and motives for their actions, all for the sake of creating peace and helping the people of England. We all thought the Sheriff was evil, but in this he was quite likable. As Makaryk says in his Author's Note, he wanted to create a good vs good vs good. And I feel that he pulled it off. I love the sense of humor throughout the book. It had me laughing frequently, especially when we got to Prince John. What a shithead he was, but still a fun character.
Nottingham, by Nathan Makaryk, is the best Robin Hood story I've ever read (although it is my first Robin Hood read). Makaryk took an old, legendary story that's already been retold in numerous formats, and turned it into a realistic historical fiction.
This was more of a tragedy, than anything else. Unlike any other Robin Hood tale, there was no real "bad guy". That's what made this so fascinating. It was told through multiple perspectives, and each one had their own reasons and motives for their actions, all for the sake of creating peace and helping the people of England. We all thought the Sheriff was evil, but in this he was quite likable. As Makaryk says in his Author's Note, he wanted to create a good vs good vs good. And I feel that he pulled it off. I love the sense of humor throughout the book. It had me laughing frequently, especially when we got to Prince John. What a shithead he was, but still a fun character.
December 10, 2020
I really enjoyed this novel. It was very original, exciting and quite an addictive take on an old story, which has felt tired and overdone in other tellings, especially in some movies. The plot was very well done, with plenty of world building and setting up of events before they rolled into motion. As a reader, I could actually see the mechanisms working; misunderstandings before characters turned on each other, paranoia seeping into a character’s mind and affecting their decisions before a betrayal etc. The best part about this novel are the characters. I really, really got to know them and how they think, to the extent where I could start to predict how they would react to certain circumstances. This was quite amazing. And of course, I fell in love with Robin of Locksley. There were so many twists that I didn’t see coming and the ending was incredible and very clever. I will definitely buy the second book, when it is released this year.
July 9, 2021
After almost one and a half years on my Currently Reading shelf and having painstakingly made it through no more than 100 pages, I think it’s finally time to admit that this book and I are just not going to happen.
This is bizarre because I am one of the biggest Robin Hood nerds you will ever find and have made grabby hands at every adaptation that came my way since I was seven years old and first bawled my heart out at Howard Pyle’s classic version. The Robin of Sherwood series from the 80s remains my favourite to this day but I’ve found something to love in almost every adaptation I’ve seen or read (ok, so I haven’t watched the 2018 movie because it looks like a trashfest, lol).
So I was very excited about this book, but it’s just… not working for me. At all. I’ve tried countless times to get into it and after a few pages would feel bored stiff, or have to double-check which character this was because they all sound the same. I finally decided I’d just muscle through the damn thing this weekend, then sat down to read my quota for today. After a couple of chapters, I got a blinding migraine out of nowhere so I literally couldn’t see the words anymore, and that’s it, I’m taking that as a sign. I’m calling it. This read is just not going to happen.
I’ve read enough to see and attempt to appreciate what the book is trying to do – a nuanced new take with a heavy focus on grey-shaded characters and a decent attempt at historical accuracy. I enjoyed the latter, I enjoyed some of the humour, and the writing was fine. The dialogue is very banter-heavy in quite a modern way that isn’t always working for me, but I could roll with it.
However, where it falls down for me is that I’m just not able to connect to these characters at all, and I am heavily side-eyeing the author’s approach in terms of “exploring the real dynamics” and dismissing all previous retellings of Robin Hood as something that “missed the mark in some way” (quotes from the Author’s Note).
Here’s the thing about nuanced portrayals of Robin Hood characters that go beyond simple good vs. evil dynamics, embrace political machinations, and go into historical detail:
That’s not a new take. Plenty of adaptations have done that before. Obviously everyone has their favs and I’m as biased as anyone, but some of the reasons I love Robin of Sherwood so much are that 1) its characters are flawed, often at war with the concept of who they’re supposed to be, deeply human, and allowed to make plenty of mistakes and grow (and yes, this includes the “bad” characters, esp. Robert Addie’s Guy of Gisbourne); 2) it’s the only adaptation I can think of in which King Richard is very much not a hero and his absentee/exploitative style of rule is part of the plot; 3) it introduces the concept that Robin Hood is an idea, not an individual, and that those shoes can be filled by more than one person.
The 2006 BBC series, which is otherwise pretty trash (and had one of the worst Robin Hoods I’ve ever seen), is elevated significantly by Richard Armitage’s careful, conflicted and very much grey portrayal of Guy of Gisborne. Heck, even Prince of Thieves had plenty of nuance and a Robin Hood that was more or less a self-aggrandising asshole (hmmm, or possibly I may be thinking of Kevin Costner, lol).
The point is, I very much got the impression that rather than simply presenting another valid retelling, Makaryk was rocking up in here all, LET ME FIX ROBIN HOOD. It’s entirely possible I’m being uncharitable, but I felt that way whenever I was reading the actual story, and I definitely felt that way when I read the Author’s Note, because, well:
“I wanted you to show me what you expected from a Robin Hood story, so I could hold your hand as we tore it to pieces – and decided which parts are still worth respecting, which parts needed a deeper explanation, and which parts deserved outright mockery.”
Holy condescension, Batman. You are absolutely entitled to your own take on a story, but you don’t get to decide for your readers which parts are worthwhile or mockable. With a story this old, with so many existing versions, people will relate to different aspects of the myth. Some people want the good vs. evil dynamics Makaryk is so dismissive of, because sometimes people need a story that’s about decent people making a stand against shitty people and triumphing, and that’s okay. There is also absolutely nothing wrong with exploring these characters anew and putting a different spin on it, but this book came across as if the author thought he was the first person to do it, or do it well, which was a bit rich.
Tl;dr: Neat, but not my cuppa.
This is bizarre because I am one of the biggest Robin Hood nerds you will ever find and have made grabby hands at every adaptation that came my way since I was seven years old and first bawled my heart out at Howard Pyle’s classic version. The Robin of Sherwood series from the 80s remains my favourite to this day but I’ve found something to love in almost every adaptation I’ve seen or read (ok, so I haven’t watched the 2018 movie because it looks like a trashfest, lol).
So I was very excited about this book, but it’s just… not working for me. At all. I’ve tried countless times to get into it and after a few pages would feel bored stiff, or have to double-check which character this was because they all sound the same. I finally decided I’d just muscle through the damn thing this weekend, then sat down to read my quota for today. After a couple of chapters, I got a blinding migraine out of nowhere so I literally couldn’t see the words anymore, and that’s it, I’m taking that as a sign. I’m calling it. This read is just not going to happen.
I’ve read enough to see and attempt to appreciate what the book is trying to do – a nuanced new take with a heavy focus on grey-shaded characters and a decent attempt at historical accuracy. I enjoyed the latter, I enjoyed some of the humour, and the writing was fine. The dialogue is very banter-heavy in quite a modern way that isn’t always working for me, but I could roll with it.
However, where it falls down for me is that I’m just not able to connect to these characters at all, and I am heavily side-eyeing the author’s approach in terms of “exploring the real dynamics” and dismissing all previous retellings of Robin Hood as something that “missed the mark in some way” (quotes from the Author’s Note).
Here’s the thing about nuanced portrayals of Robin Hood characters that go beyond simple good vs. evil dynamics, embrace political machinations, and go into historical detail:
That’s not a new take. Plenty of adaptations have done that before. Obviously everyone has their favs and I’m as biased as anyone, but some of the reasons I love Robin of Sherwood so much are that 1) its characters are flawed, often at war with the concept of who they’re supposed to be, deeply human, and allowed to make plenty of mistakes and grow (and yes, this includes the “bad” characters, esp. Robert Addie’s Guy of Gisbourne); 2) it’s the only adaptation I can think of in which King Richard is very much not a hero and his absentee/exploitative style of rule is part of the plot; 3) it introduces the concept that Robin Hood is an idea, not an individual, and that those shoes can be filled by more than one person.
The 2006 BBC series, which is otherwise pretty trash (and had one of the worst Robin Hoods I’ve ever seen), is elevated significantly by Richard Armitage’s careful, conflicted and very much grey portrayal of Guy of Gisborne. Heck, even Prince of Thieves had plenty of nuance and a Robin Hood that was more or less a self-aggrandising asshole (hmmm, or possibly I may be thinking of Kevin Costner, lol).
The point is, I very much got the impression that rather than simply presenting another valid retelling, Makaryk was rocking up in here all, LET ME FIX ROBIN HOOD. It’s entirely possible I’m being uncharitable, but I felt that way whenever I was reading the actual story, and I definitely felt that way when I read the Author’s Note, because, well:
“I wanted you to show me what you expected from a Robin Hood story, so I could hold your hand as we tore it to pieces – and decided which parts are still worth respecting, which parts needed a deeper explanation, and which parts deserved outright mockery.”
Holy condescension, Batman. You are absolutely entitled to your own take on a story, but you don’t get to decide for your readers which parts are worthwhile or mockable. With a story this old, with so many existing versions, people will relate to different aspects of the myth. Some people want the good vs. evil dynamics Makaryk is so dismissive of, because sometimes people need a story that’s about decent people making a stand against shitty people and triumphing, and that’s okay. There is also absolutely nothing wrong with exploring these characters anew and putting a different spin on it, but this book came across as if the author thought he was the first person to do it, or do it well, which was a bit rich.
Tl;dr: Neat, but not my cuppa.
March 1, 2020
Before I begin my praise of this excellent novel, let us deal with the caveats. First, and foremost, is the concept of historical fiction. This isn't. It's more of a "in a historical fiction setting". The reason for this is tied into the second part, the actual history of this fictional character. So "Notthingham" takes the typical Robin Hood story and places it in a more realistic setting. As to second part, the history, most historians say that the Robin Hood story appears in the late 13th or early 14th Century. In ballads such as "A Gest of Robyn Hode" (wherein the King was "Edward"), the tale caught on. During Elizabethan time, the stage brought prominence to the more dramatic tellings of Robin (even Shakespeare refers to Robin Hood in "The Two Gentlemen of Verona"). Perhaps the first "historical" version was the one published by Joseph Ritson in 1795. In "Robin Hood: A collection of all the Ancient Poems Songs and Ballads now extant, relative to that celebrated Outlaw", Riston gave writers a solid basis for the myth. This influenced Walter Scott and his "Ivanhoe" sets the standard for the modern interpretation.
Now all the characters from the standard fare are here, but they are subtly different. There are no really bad guys, as there are truly no good guys. Both sides have a point. I enjoyed this far more intelligent and nuanced version. Often mistaken ideas lead to conflict and people's intentions can often be misread. A great version of the Robin Hood tale. If you are wondering why you should read yet another Robin hood story? The answer is this is a unique and, as much as possible, an "original" tale. Highly entertaining, intelligently crafted and hard to put down- this was a pleasure to read. Any fan of the Robin Hood story will enjoy this more realstic take.
Now all the characters from the standard fare are here, but they are subtly different. There are no really bad guys, as there are truly no good guys. Both sides have a point. I enjoyed this far more intelligent and nuanced version. Often mistaken ideas lead to conflict and people's intentions can often be misread. A great version of the Robin Hood tale. If you are wondering why you should read yet another Robin hood story? The answer is this is a unique and, as much as possible, an "original" tale. Highly entertaining, intelligently crafted and hard to put down- this was a pleasure to read. Any fan of the Robin Hood story will enjoy this more realstic take.
August 24, 2019
Makaryk's concept, that everything we think we know about Robin Hood is wrong, is an intriguing one to set out with, and he never fails to make it pay off. From simple things like splitting an arrow, to the origin of the Merry Men, he one by one deconstructs the myth through a modern lens that asks, "What probably really happened here?"
At once an adventure thriller that keeps the pages turning late into the night as well as a socioeconomic quagmire that rings true today. Makaryk brings the characters to life with humor and humanity. He never takes sides, but lets each character speak for themselves; everyone is justified in their own minds. There is no black and white. He creates strong, bold and intelligent female characters and gives them all a voice, equal to all the men. A pleasure to read. Basically, none of these characters are who we think they are.
Written in a modern tone that at times veers into laugh out loud sarcasm, the storytelling is sure and lean. Action scenes are viewed through the eyes of one of the participants, lending a ground's-eye view that is often bewildered and alarmed, putting the reader directly into the fray.
Looking forward to its sequel, coming out in 2020.
At once an adventure thriller that keeps the pages turning late into the night as well as a socioeconomic quagmire that rings true today. Makaryk brings the characters to life with humor and humanity. He never takes sides, but lets each character speak for themselves; everyone is justified in their own minds. There is no black and white. He creates strong, bold and intelligent female characters and gives them all a voice, equal to all the men. A pleasure to read. Basically, none of these characters are who we think they are.
Written in a modern tone that at times veers into laugh out loud sarcasm, the storytelling is sure and lean. Action scenes are viewed through the eyes of one of the participants, lending a ground's-eye view that is often bewildered and alarmed, putting the reader directly into the fray.
Looking forward to its sequel, coming out in 2020.
July 8, 2019
Okay. Holy Hell.
This book was honestly amazing. This by far was the best retelling of the classic Robin Hood that I have ever read and probably will ever read.
Not only was this wonderfully written but I felt as though Nathan really nailed the characters on the head. Their mannerisms, personality and their character traits were brilliant and you could actually picture them in your head as the story played out.
You also get introduced to the politics of it all and how the characters to where they are. I also loved the fact that this book had Will Scarlet in it!! I mean the amount of retellings I read and they don’t include Will kills me. Will is the particle jokester of the story and definitely needs to be included.
There is no end to detail in this book, down to the last phrase. How the Sheriff got to where he was and how Robin got to be the man of Sherwood forest. It all become one and lined up perfectly and it was fricken epic.
Nottingham has easily become one of my favourite reads this year!
This book was honestly amazing. This by far was the best retelling of the classic Robin Hood that I have ever read and probably will ever read.
Not only was this wonderfully written but I felt as though Nathan really nailed the characters on the head. Their mannerisms, personality and their character traits were brilliant and you could actually picture them in your head as the story played out.
You also get introduced to the politics of it all and how the characters to where they are. I also loved the fact that this book had Will Scarlet in it!! I mean the amount of retellings I read and they don’t include Will kills me. Will is the particle jokester of the story and definitely needs to be included.
There is no end to detail in this book, down to the last phrase. How the Sheriff got to where he was and how Robin got to be the man of Sherwood forest. It all become one and lined up perfectly and it was fricken epic.
Nottingham has easily become one of my favourite reads this year!
August 11, 2021
I found this a really different take on the Robin Hood legend. There is no real villain. At the same time no real hero either. All the characters are trying to do the best that they can in the situation they find themselves. All the characters in the legend are there, Robin (of course), Maid Marion, Little John, Will Scarlet, a couple of different Sheriffs. Prince John also makes a couple of appearences, but he is a rather minor character. Their motives are well illustrated, as well as how the situations the characters find themselves affect there actions.
As far as the story goes, again the legendary tales are told - Robin's meeting with Little John and the fight with quarterstaffs over a creek, the rescue of Maid Marion, etc, but with slightly different spin than the commonly accepted versions.
The story itself is set in England trying to support Richard's expedition to the Holy Land (3rd Crusade) and the affect of the resulting high taxes have on both the aristocracy and the common people. In this story Robin is the younger son of a minor Lord (the Lord of Locksley) who has a falling out with his father and joins Richard's Crusade. He is sent back to Nottingham to solve the problem of supplies not arriving in the Holy Land to feed and equip Richard's soldiers.
The history is a bit fast a loose
I found this an entertaining read and even with the problems with the history I rated it 4 stars
As far as the story goes, again the legendary tales are told - Robin's meeting with Little John and the fight with quarterstaffs over a creek, the rescue of Maid Marion, etc, but with slightly different spin than the commonly accepted versions.
The story itself is set in England trying to support Richard's expedition to the Holy Land (3rd Crusade) and the affect of the resulting high taxes have on both the aristocracy and the common people. In this story Robin is the younger son of a minor Lord (the Lord of Locksley) who has a falling out with his father and joins Richard's Crusade. He is sent back to Nottingham to solve the problem of supplies not arriving in the Holy Land to feed and equip Richard's soldiers.
The history is a bit fast a loose
I found this an entertaining read and even with the problems with the history I rated it 4 stars
April 28, 2022
“What’s the price of your peace, William?” Robin’s voice was tiny and hurt. “Would you kill me for it?” How the hell did it get this far?
[...] “Would you make me?”
This is more than a retelling of the Robin Hood legend. In fact, Robin takes a backseat amidst the wider cast of characters at play in Nottingham. You may think you know who to trust and who to hate going into this, but you are quickly proven wrong.
What seems right in one of the POVs is immediately wrong in another, but you still haven’t found the proper footing because you’re back in the previous POV and falling back into that original character’s head and once again convinced they are totally, utterly, completely right.
This is the bleakest Robin Hood book I have personally read and I loved every minute of it (it felt a lot like reading Pierce Brown which I’m always down for). Makaryk’s Nottingham is realistic in exploring the undeniable truth that a human can only ever truly grasp a small individual corner of the big picture. This is not a tale of good vs evil. It’s a tale of good vs good vs what makes something good, anyway?
While I found the plot a bit lacking at times the characters more than made up for it and I was never bored exploring the various moral compasses and drives of each of them. The writing style itself is also engaging and takes a more modern approach which I personally loved but everyone has their own thoughts on whether Robin Hood can say “shit” or not.
If you’re a Robin Hood fan you’ll love the references to the classics. If you’re sick of the idea of who or what Robin Hood can be you’ll love how this flips it on its head. If you’re intimidated by historical fiction or Robin Hood retellings, this updating of a legend is an easy and thrilling read.
Side note, this book has roots in being a play, and I find that quite intriguing! I wish I would have had the opportunity to see it. I would have loved the production and the chance to compare the mediums for this story.
[...] “Would you make me?”
This is more than a retelling of the Robin Hood legend. In fact, Robin takes a backseat amidst the wider cast of characters at play in Nottingham. You may think you know who to trust and who to hate going into this, but you are quickly proven wrong.
What seems right in one of the POVs is immediately wrong in another, but you still haven’t found the proper footing because you’re back in the previous POV and falling back into that original character’s head and once again convinced they are totally, utterly, completely right.
This is the bleakest Robin Hood book I have personally read and I loved every minute of it (it felt a lot like reading Pierce Brown which I’m always down for). Makaryk’s Nottingham is realistic in exploring the undeniable truth that a human can only ever truly grasp a small individual corner of the big picture. This is not a tale of good vs evil. It’s a tale of good vs good vs what makes something good, anyway?
While I found the plot a bit lacking at times the characters more than made up for it and I was never bored exploring the various moral compasses and drives of each of them. The writing style itself is also engaging and takes a more modern approach which I personally loved but everyone has their own thoughts on whether Robin Hood can say “shit” or not.
If you’re a Robin Hood fan you’ll love the references to the classics. If you’re sick of the idea of who or what Robin Hood can be you’ll love how this flips it on its head. If you’re intimidated by historical fiction or Robin Hood retellings, this updating of a legend is an easy and thrilling read.
Side note, this book has roots in being a play, and I find that quite intriguing! I wish I would have had the opportunity to see it. I would have loved the production and the chance to compare the mediums for this story.
September 9, 2019
Well, what to say about this long Robin Hood novel? First off, it could be a lot shorter and less convoluted. Having said that, it is also highly derivative of the last four or five filmed versions of Robin Hood. Maybe that's not fair, as any story told as often as Robin Hood's is bound to owe a debt to previous versions.
So those are the aspects I think needed improvement. However, I also liked a number of components. First off, the characterization of Prince John was very amusing. The villains are not cardboard cut-outs at all; even Sir Guy of Gisbourne is a multi-dimensional creation. The relationship between Robin and the Sheriff is delightful, though it is occasionally clear as mud how they wound up on opposite sides. I liked that it was a complete story and need not be the launch of a series: it said what it wanted to say.
Overall, I recommend the audiobook (which I listened to) as it is well read by two narrators (male and female).
So those are the aspects I think needed improvement. However, I also liked a number of components. First off, the characterization of Prince John was very amusing. The villains are not cardboard cut-outs at all; even Sir Guy of Gisbourne is a multi-dimensional creation. The relationship between Robin and the Sheriff is delightful, though it is occasionally clear as mud how they wound up on opposite sides. I liked that it was a complete story and need not be the launch of a series: it said what it wanted to say.
Overall, I recommend the audiobook (which I listened to) as it is well read by two narrators (male and female).
November 6, 2019
If the novel Nottingham had not somehow become important to me I could toss it off with a short review or no review at all. Yet somehow I have come to believe that this book matters. Nottingham is a captivating redefinition of the legend of Robin Hood and his relationship with the Sheriff of Nottingham. This historical novel is amazingly well planned and the author does a masterful job of rounding out the personalities of the legendary icons of Sherwood Forest and of adding layers of complexity to their relationship with the Sheriff. The Sheriff, whoever may hold the office at a given time, is hardly the cardboard tyrant we have come to expect. On the contrary, he is a highly nuanced official whose job is frighteningly difficult. Another welcome surprise is Lady Marion’s role as the founder and director of the Sherwood Forest gang. The characters are drawn out with such detail that the reader comes to know each one intimately. The author reveals them brilliantly, not merely by describing them, but by placing them in situations where each responds according to their own nature. However, the sharp delineation of characters cuts both ways. All of the characters are drawn so clearly that one cannot mistake their postmodern philosophical, theological, sociological and political perspectives. These dilute the characters’ believability in their historical context. Were the reader not told that the events occur in late twelfth-century England, one could just as easily believe that the actors to be twenty-first century Americans. At the end of the book the author makes a case defending these linguistic, cultural and ideological anachronisms: they are not included by accident. It is unfortunate that his use of modern slang and vernacular expressions gets in the way of an extremely interesting and creative story. Parts of the book are written in an artificial, self-conscious, deliberately trendy style. Some stylistic peculiarities are jarring. The author uses quite a few indelicate sexual and scatological slang expressions where they are not necessary and not reflective of the characters that speak them. “Let’s face it,” he writes in his apologia, “today’s curse words just pack a better punch.” This statement is surprising, considering that quite a bit of medieval literature is known for creative curses and innovative insults. Additionally the overuse of the f- word has caused it to lose its impact. One wishes that the story had taken account of the fact that the f- word’s first recorded occurrence was in the 1490’s. It did not enter current usage until the mid-sixteenth century. The story itself is magnificent with rich character development and a beautifully complicated plot. This monumental tale deserves more careful use of language, history and style than it receives. Most frustrating is the fact that the author reveals himself as an outstanding writer and a superlative plotsmith—he doesn’t need to resort to language of the gutter, nor to this season’s literary fads. He is better than that. The story is better than that. The author mesmerizes the reader with paragraph upon paragraph of lucid prose, elegantly describing a magnificent story, and then suddenly drops an unnecessary dollop of modern profanity or a confusing series of sentence fragments to shatter the movement. The reader clips along in a medieval story worthy of a Thomas Malory, and then suddenly gets stuck in a patch of Monty Python, but without the humor.
The author’s note reveals, “This is a work of fiction, inspired in equal parts by history and folklore. It is faithful to neither.” We are poorer for his choice. Had the author told his story of Nottingham more simply, with a bit more concern for language and history, it would be a masterpiece.
The author’s note reveals, “This is a work of fiction, inspired in equal parts by history and folklore. It is faithful to neither.” We are poorer for his choice. Had the author told his story of Nottingham more simply, with a bit more concern for language and history, it would be a masterpiece.
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November 12, 2019I did not like this book. Very disappointing.
Take one overworked folktale, sprinkle with f-bombs every few paragraphs, replace Crusader era attitudes with those of 21st century video gamers, add scene descriptions with an eye for easy conversion to a movie script and there you have it.
If you must read this, save your money and go to the library.
Take one overworked folktale, sprinkle with f-bombs every few paragraphs, replace Crusader era attitudes with those of 21st century video gamers, add scene descriptions with an eye for easy conversion to a movie script and there you have it.
If you must read this, save your money and go to the library.
December 8, 2019
1100s Nottingham, the Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood and all the merry men ... and Lady Marian. A fabulous recount, and so much more detail, of a legendary tale. British history at its best. I highly recommend it. 4/5
August 5, 2019
I am a huge fan of re-tellings in general and I am a fan of the Robin Hood myth in particular. So when I discovered Nottingham I knew I had to read it. Nathan Makaryk is a talented author! It’s no hyperbole to compare Nottingham to George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire.
At the heart of Nottingham is, of course, the legend of Robin Hood. This Robin Hood tale, is unlike the ones you’ve read or watched before. In Nottingham, Maid Marion takes an active role in the formation of the “merry men” and their quest to steal from the rich and give to the poor. The Sheriff of Nottingham, Roger de Lacy, is not as bad as he seems; he’s doing his best in a bad situation. Robin of Locksley is deeply skeptical of leading the group of outlaws in Sherwood.
To add an extra layer of complexity, Nathan Makaryk included extra characters like Elena Gamwell, Will Scarlet’s girlfriend and fellow outlaw; William de Wendenal, Robin’s ambitious friend and fellow crusader; Arable de Burel, a victim of circumstance and William’s childhood sweetheart; and Guy of Gisbourne, the captain of the Nottingham Guard.
There are familiar elements in Nottingham as well: King Richard is off crusading, the country is being taxed into poverty, and Prince John is just as dastardly as ever.
Makaryk has crafted a nuanced telling of Robin Hood that explores themes relevant to today: themes such as the divergence of the law and moral rightfulness, power, and justice. Topping it all off is the carefully crafted narrative. Nottingham is told in third person; each chapter has a different narrator with a unique voice and perspective. The author deftly conveys through the plethora of narrators just how complex the political environment in Nottingham was as well as the complexity of the moral and ethical dilemmas of the day.
If you, like me, are anxiously awaiting the next Game of Thrones book, you will be delighted by Nottingham. It’s long, complex, and compelling. I can’t wait for more from Nathan Makaryk!
At the heart of Nottingham is, of course, the legend of Robin Hood. This Robin Hood tale, is unlike the ones you’ve read or watched before. In Nottingham, Maid Marion takes an active role in the formation of the “merry men” and their quest to steal from the rich and give to the poor. The Sheriff of Nottingham, Roger de Lacy, is not as bad as he seems; he’s doing his best in a bad situation. Robin of Locksley is deeply skeptical of leading the group of outlaws in Sherwood.
To add an extra layer of complexity, Nathan Makaryk included extra characters like Elena Gamwell, Will Scarlet’s girlfriend and fellow outlaw; William de Wendenal, Robin’s ambitious friend and fellow crusader; Arable de Burel, a victim of circumstance and William’s childhood sweetheart; and Guy of Gisbourne, the captain of the Nottingham Guard.
There are familiar elements in Nottingham as well: King Richard is off crusading, the country is being taxed into poverty, and Prince John is just as dastardly as ever.
Makaryk has crafted a nuanced telling of Robin Hood that explores themes relevant to today: themes such as the divergence of the law and moral rightfulness, power, and justice. Topping it all off is the carefully crafted narrative. Nottingham is told in third person; each chapter has a different narrator with a unique voice and perspective. The author deftly conveys through the plethora of narrators just how complex the political environment in Nottingham was as well as the complexity of the moral and ethical dilemmas of the day.
If you, like me, are anxiously awaiting the next Game of Thrones book, you will be delighted by Nottingham. It’s long, complex, and compelling. I can’t wait for more from Nathan Makaryk!
January 30, 2020
I love adventure stories, and I loved this one.
Written with skill and polish, the author has taken the familiar Robin Hood stories and built them out to a taut, cohesive 500 pages. I laughed out loud, I wiped tears from my cheek on the subway, and I nearly got myself killed walking and reading at the same time.
Can’t wait for his next one.
c.t.h.
Written with skill and polish, the author has taken the familiar Robin Hood stories and built them out to a taut, cohesive 500 pages. I laughed out loud, I wiped tears from my cheek on the subway, and I nearly got myself killed walking and reading at the same time.
Can’t wait for his next one.
c.t.h.
June 1, 2020
This is the story of Robin Hood with a twist. It took me a little while to get into it (too tired to read at night) but once I got into the story. Wow what a story! I didn't really like the last chapter (more like hated it) and then the epilogue came and it left me with the feeling that it was brilliant (for an ending).
October 15, 2019
I had to get past the prologue, which was kind of confusing to me and almost put me off the book entirely. But once that was done, I was surprised by the book. In particular by the underlying humor sprinkled all over—wasn’t surprised to discover the author is also a comedian—and by the fact that all characters always seemed to be perfectly right, even when they were arguing completely opposite cases.
April 29, 2019
This story feels closer to the truth than other retellings of the legend of Robin Hood. It is told through the eyes of noblemen and women, common folk and all those others in between. The good people of Nottinghamshire are fed up with being taxed while their king is off fighting the Holy Wars in the Middle East. They have no real law, no hopes for better conditions and little faith in those who have been left to sort things out. What starts out as a way to help the common folk spirals out of control and it will pit faithful subjects of the king against those who want the crown and those who just want change. The author has tried to put a human face on the superhero image told in legends of the man who would be known as Robin Hood as well as the others who have a stake in the game. Political intrigue, adventure, and superb writing, this historical debut is perfect for any lover of British history, realistic portrayals of myth or a great story of turning the tables on those in authority. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
September 19, 2019
This was really good. This is a densely written story, full of historical detail of the time (the Crusades, King Richard, etc.). More importantly, it's adetailed examination of the Robin Hood legend. The author literally rips the romance of the myth to bits, and asks you to rethink your assumptions about who’s good and who's evil. I love the way the author interrogates the legend, and asks us to think about the strife and difficulties that would have occurred in England once countless people (i.e., taxpayers) skived off to make war on the Islamic world (and consequently destroyed several centres of learning and trade in the Middle East).
The usual cast from the legend is present, and nobody is purely good or evil here; in fact, as the book's back blurb states, we get different, complicated portrayals of each of the characters, and a more nuanced view of the political situation in Nottingham. We also get a large cast of people traditionally ignored by the legend, and we see the political and economic effects of King Richard's decrees and the people who both enforce them and suffer from them.
This story did not read quickly, though it wasn't a fault of the writing; there was a lot to set up and many pieces to move about before we arrive at some of the legend's events. I did still enjoy the book, and was glad that I made myself get through its almost 500 pages. Though much happens in this story, I got the sense that the author had more to tell by the time I finally got to the last page. If he does, I think I'll be checking that out.
The usual cast from the legend is present, and nobody is purely good or evil here; in fact, as the book's back blurb states, we get different, complicated portrayals of each of the characters, and a more nuanced view of the political situation in Nottingham. We also get a large cast of people traditionally ignored by the legend, and we see the political and economic effects of King Richard's decrees and the people who both enforce them and suffer from them.
This story did not read quickly, though it wasn't a fault of the writing; there was a lot to set up and many pieces to move about before we arrive at some of the legend's events. I did still enjoy the book, and was glad that I made myself get through its almost 500 pages. Though much happens in this story, I got the sense that the author had more to tell by the time I finally got to the last page. If he does, I think I'll be checking that out.
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