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Outlaw  By  cover art

Outlaw

By: Angus Donald
Narrated by: Graham Padden
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Publisher's summary

When he's caught stealing, young Alan Dale is forced to leave his family and go to live with a notorious band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest. Their leader is the infamous Robin Hood. A tough, bloodthirsty warrior, Robin is more feared than any man in the county. And he becomes a mentor for Alan; with his fellow outlaws, Robin teaches Alan how to fight - and how to win.

But Robin is a ruthless man - and although he is Alan's protector, if Alan displeases him, he could also just as easily become his murderer....

From bloody battles to riotous feast days to marauding packs of wolves, Outlaw is a gripping, action-packed historical thriller that delves deep into the fascinating legend of Robin Hood.

©2009 Angus Donald (P)2009 Library Magna Books Ltd

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What listeners say about Outlaw

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

As Fine a "Fictional Saga" as Lonesome Dove!

I have "binge-listened" to the entire 8-book Outlaw Chronicles series over two weeks. ... OUTSTANDING! As engrossing a historical fiction saga as McMurtry's Lonesome Dove. As high a compliment as I can bestow.

That there was never "a Robin Hood" is of no more consequence than there was never a Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler" or a Corleone Family. Early 13th Century Europe was a violent time and Angus Duncan's masterpiece reflects that reality.

DEFINITELY read this series in chronological order as each book builds on previous events. I shall miss Sir Alan and The Earl of Locksley... "WESTBURY !!!"

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

very good original story, keeps you riveted

Would you listen to Outlaw again? Why?

I like the style of writing and the reader is good as well

What other book might you compare Outlaw to and why?

I compare this book to Conn Iggulden, Ben kane, and Bernard Cornwell type of books

Which scene was your favorite?

not sure which is my favorite

Who was the most memorable character of Outlaw and why?

Robin in my opinion

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A good story, but only as a stand-alone

I wasn't sure I would like this, but I chose it on the strength of other reviews and it proved to be an engaging story. It was easy to root for the young protagonist, and the narrative pace was brisk.

I was pleased that there was a series to follow Outlaw, and if I had written this review prior to listening to the second installment in the series, I would have more enthusiasm about this great start. However, the second book, Warrior, was so disappointing that it colors my appreciation of the first book.

I enjoyed the story and the characters of Outlaw enough that I was willing to put up with the gory depictions of sadism that peppered the narrative. But the second book, Warrior, was all gore and no plot. I wish now that I had only listened to the first one and left it at that.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not bad Robin Hood Fiction

I really don't like the title 'The Godfather of Sherwood Forest' because it implies a Mario Puzo type story which I think it is different then the overall truth of how all people existed back in the time this story takes place... Knights were not 100% chivalry & honor, it's feudal obviously so it works on this system. I love the military nuances & the beginning of longer blood battles & I would be interested to see how parts of this end, but I don't know if I'll get every book of the series. I'll probably get the last book & see how the end resolves.

The overall story doesn't hold up well as other authors but perhaps Donald has not written his best. If you like Robin Hood stories it could be worth it, but it depends on what else you've read. It obviously can't compare to Cornwell & Martin but its almost on Ludlow level, but its only one book I've read about this author.

Not the best type of books I've read in this genre...

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Not your parent's Robin Hood

I grew up watching the Errol Flynn 1938 movie The Adventures of Robin Hood and watching the 1950s TV Robin Hood series. In those any violence is mostly hinted at, although some arrows are shot and there is a sword fight or two. This is a very different Robin Hood, and it is very violent.

All of the old gang is here - Robin, Maid Marion, Little John, Alan a’ Dale, Will Scarlet, Friar Tuck, Much, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Guy Gisborne and others, but the book is full of violence with torture, grisly executions, the cutting out of someone’s tongue, pagan rituals and more, much of it described in lurid detail and, in my view, unnecessary. I will grant that the late 12th century was a violent time, and people’s lives were worth little, but I don’t really think it was necessary to describe in vivid detail the torture that took place, or the details of the midnight execution.

So why have I given it 4 stars? Because the writing is wonderful, the story is gripping and the narration is superb. Had the book been less well written, or less well narrated I probably would have stopped reading somewhere in the middle, but in the end I could not because I wanted to know what happened to the people involved and the answer to a mystery that was central to the plot. If I, who dislikes excessive and lurid violence in a novel, could not put it down I thought it deserved at least 4 stars, but I will not get the next audio book in the series.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A darker but realistic twist on a classic story

Donald's story is an authentic view of the time-period and the characters that could have been the genesis of the Robyn Hood legend. He captures the larger historical background of 12th century England and vividly constructs events in Sherwood Forest that make this book a gripping and thoroughly enjoyable listen. Worth the credit...and the next book in this series is now on my wish list!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Scratched an itch.

I did enjoy this book very much, it hit on almost everything I like in a book. That being said, it was very predictable and it ended up feeling like an odd Bernard Cornwell book. Which I'll take one rung down from Cornwell any day of the week, the author is obviously a huge fan of his. Very good, but too familiar to be great, it scratched my historical fiction itch.

Side note, I do plan on getting the rest of the books, so take that for what it's worth.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just finished the series

I came back after finishing the series and I have this to say:
I have few words, but I will try.
There are thousands of books out there, hundreds of series. But I’m so grateful I listened to this series. It truly is one of the best I’ve ever had the fortune of reading. If you ever consider one series from the next, I tell you this one should take high priority. Historically accurate legends are something I enjoy but I can be very picky about. This delivered tenfold. But better, are the heartstrings this series played with. This is one of those series you will start and won’t slog through, but jump at the chance to continue. And now that it is over, I feel like I have just put down a friend to be buried. Sure I can revisit anytime I want, but never will it be for the first time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic book

Every one of the the books in this series is great. I’ve listen to the all at least half a dozen times

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love this unique reimagining of Robin Hood!

Believable story of Robin Hood. Fast paced immersion into the time period of just before King Richard. Just enough detail of the time for your imagination but not too much to take away from the action. Well balanced. I loved it!

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