The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

By: Howard Pyle

Narrated by: Christopher Cazenove

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Here are the beloved adventures of the mischievous hero Robin Hood and his brave and merry band of outlaws, who forged a chivalrous code to protect the oppressed and despoil the oppressors. Follow along as Robin makes his breathtaking escapes from his archenemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham, while classic characters like Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet, and Little John create one hilarious escapade after another. Pageantry, knights, and beautiful maidens of old abound in the episodes comprised by this favorite story.

Russell Crowe will star in the November 6, 2009 movie Nottingham.

Public Domain (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Doubtless there were few red-blooded American boys of the 19th century who did not share Tom Sawyer and his companions' sincere preference to being 'outlaws a year in Sherwood Forest than President of the United States.'" (Michael Patrick Hearn, American literary scholar and specialist in children's literature)

Great Fun!

This is considered a "kid's book." But much like with The Hobbit, it's written so much better than a lot of adult novels today. Sign of the times, I suppose. But as a kid's book, this puts aside the grim and gritty of today's fare and gives the reader something fun and truly wonderful. I've grown up reading this book, and to hear it via Audible is a treat.

Each chapter is a self-contained event, often with the next chapter building making a callback to the previous ones as a reminder. This means that while it's essentially a group of short stories, there is a continuity for those who appreciate such things.

Readers who are familiar with Robin Hood in his many multimedia incarnations will probably be quite surprised to learn both Robin's "origin story" and some of the other tidbits here and there. Just because it's fun, it doesn't mean it doesn't have a bit of dark thrown in for added weight. Pyle doesn't talk down to the reader, and as the title suggests, there's more comedy and farce than anything else. This book is a classic, and it holds up. Highly recommended. It's a great read for anyone of any age.

Wonderful version

Would you consider the audio edition of The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood to be better than the print version?

I love the playfulness and characterizations in this performance! If you enjoy the Robin Hood myths, this is a fun version. And this can serve to answer all of the other questions listed here, so forgive me as I repeat myself.

What does Christopher Cazenove bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love the playfulness and characterizations in this performance! If you enjoy the Robin Hood myths, this is a fun version. And this can serve to answer all of the other questions listed here, so forgive me as I repeat myself.

Some fun stories but slow

I’ve always loved the story of Robin Hood and was excited to listen to the book. Although there are some fun stories, it was slow and I don’t think my kids would’ve enjoyed listening to it. Some of the songs sung lasted for several minutes even on a faster speed and didn’t add to the story. They would have, however, laughed at the old English descriptions of the donkeys and idiots.

Fun book

The reader can't sing a wit but he he is a great narrator.
The stories are very entertaining and the end sad. I liked it well.

Fun

A very easy listening story. Great for adult ,teen,kids have a ease listen 🎶 🎶

You can’t even tell the girls to eat their food 🥘 is the worst food I’ve ever eaten and I

The end of a life is a long and long long to long and long to long as I can with someone I can help you through and I can please only keep you posted and I can

A splendid reading of the classic!

Howard Pyle was the writer who put together stray tales of the English outlaw and created the narrative of Robin Hood we know today. His original novel is still great fun -- it took my kids (ages 9 & 10) a little while to get used to the language, but then they absolutely loved it. They've been acting out scenes and cracking themselves up. The narrator of this edition, Christopher Cazenove, is spot-on perfect for the material, too.

Fun & entertaining, if slow in parts

A great listen - with humor, adventure and a life lesson here & there! The old English storytelling can be a bit difficult to wade through sometimes but worth the effort. The narration is excellent, with well defined, engaging characters.

Well Done.

Where does The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Anything by Howard Pyle is worth reading or listening to, and Christopher Cazenove is an excellent narrator.

A Deserving Classic

A lovingly read tale of the greatest rogue that men did or ever will know.