In a Dark Wood

This rich and complex story tells the story of Robin Hood, from the viewpoint of Geoffrey, the Sheriff of Nottingham. Geoffrey himself is a complex man. He is a product of his time, taught to reverence God and yet use horrifying violence when necessary. But he feels himself torn; he cannot measure up to the level of purity that his religion demands, and too softhearted to mete out the cruelty that his duty requires. And when that laughing rogue, Robin Hood, wanders into his jurisdiction, Geoffrey finds the thick and comfortable shell that he has built around himself begin to crack.This story is entertaining in a very sophisticated way. The world that the author builds is believable and quite fascinating. I enjoyed that the author made believable characters that seem to have hoped right out of history, rather than modern Americans walking around in medieval England. I also enjoyed watching the characters evolve and change (often painfully) as their world changed around them. Though marked as a teen book, I highly recommend it to readers old and young alike!

The YA imprint and miniscule dimensions of this book give it the appearance of being lightweight, but that would be a mistaken impression. It is adult, if not graphically so, and although it is short, it is packed with complexity of texture and character development. I was afraid, upon approaching this book, that it would be no more complicated than a simple reversal of the Robin Hood legend; that the entire thrust of the book would be to prove that the sheriff was not so bad after all, a sort of politically correct effort to prove that "I'm OK, You're OK". In actual fact, while the sheriff is a sympathetic character by virtue of being the main character, he is a complex man, and the Robin Hood legend is merely a vehicle in order to explore that complexity. He is degenerate, yet in his degeneracy he is struggling to find meaning and purpose in his life. Although he is physically courageous, Geoffrey is uncomfortable in the wild wood, and is most at home within the walls of his keep. Robin Hood and his outlaws are made of darker stuff than in other versions of the legends: they are mutilated, wretched, desperate. Yet for this very reason, Robin Hood's spirit shines even brighter through the grime. Rather than being a character of equal complexity to the sheriff, he is symbolic of all that the sheriff fears: everything that is wild, unpredictable, beyond his control. The dark wood is the darkness within Geoffrey himself, and by braving its depths he makes unexpected discoveries that change his life. The prose is rich in metaphor and the medieval setting beautifully rendered. Cadnum most conspicuously draws on Chaucer to bring the setting to life, but at the same time makes it his own. The characters are each in their own way vivid and realistic, in particular Hugh and the Geoffrey's wife. This book is probably not as popular as other Robin Hood retellings because it does not glitter with heroism and pageantry, but it is by far more complex and adult than most retellings, which more than compensates for its superifical lack of lustre.

This is not your typical Robin Hood tale. There are no merry, carefree outlaws, triumphantly fooling a remarkably stupid and greedy Sheriff of Nottingham; nor is there a clear division between good and evil. No. What In a Dark Wood has are subtleties, textures, shades. It explores in depth the characters of the traditional legend, reducing both hero and villain from their overblown stereotypes to what they would have been: men. Through an untraditional perspective on the tale-- Geoffrey's, the Sheriff of Nottingham-- Cadnum makes real a story that has often seemed bombastic and hopelessly romanticized. In a Dark Wood is chiefly an exploration of the Sheriff's relationships with those around him: his unloving wife, his impudent fool, his squire, the woods around him, the highwayman Robin Hood, and most importantly, himself. These are crafted with great care and delicacy, and though some of the traditional adventures of the myth are present, they are not there for heroism, but rather as a means of slowly improving the Sheriff's understanding and tolerance. Robin Hood appears infrequently, but his importance in changing the Sheriff is shown throughout the novel. He is mostly important in relation to the Sheriff, rather than as an archer or a noble thief. This is truly Geoffrey's story. The language is marvelous. The metaphors and similes are done so well that they allow the reader to visualize every vibrant image, and yet are never superfluous or flowery. While Cadnum does not skirt around the brutality of medieval life, the complete picture he creates of it gives it an undeniable vitality and resonance, which has its own peculiar type of beauty. The details of daily life in a medieval society are plentiful, but manage to fully recreate its conditions without weighing down the book in unnecessary and awkward historical insertions. In a Dark Wood is similar to other novels in some ways-- in its sympathetic treatment of a traditional villain, it is a little like Donna Jo Napoli's fairy tale retellings; in its well-crafted medieval setting, a little like John Morressy's The Juggler; in its willingness to look at both beauty and ugliness in a world, a little like Cynthia Voigt's Kingdom series. Though those who liked these books will probably also enjoy In a Dark Wood, it remains unique altogether, both as a Robin Hood retelling and as a novel. It is unforgettable, and I only regret that it is so little known.

I don't know why this would be classified as Young Adult, except for the fact that it deals with the Robin Hood legend, and the fact that the author often writes YA books. Primarily it tells the story of the Sheriff of Nottingham and his household, and the ways in which they change by interacting with Robin Hood. The historical detail is impeccable, the characters very complex and completely in keeping with their time, and the relationships fascinating. Enjoy it for the beautiful prose and character development. A sophisticated gem of a book that deserves much wider readership. I'm going to look for more by this author, including his modern YA books.

IN A DARK WOOD by Michael Cadnum is a compelling novel which quickly enticed me "behind the scenes" into the gritty reality of 12th century feudal England. I enjoyed the skillful writing which vividly conveyed the sights, sounds and smells of the middle ages. The author's approach to the well-known legend of Robin Hood is especially satisfying because he presents a new perspective without diminishing that rebel's age-old mystique. The complex central character, Geoffrey, the Sheriff of Nottinham, is intriguing, especially in terms of his relationship with the silent, mocking Fool. Cadnum wisely choses to balance Geoffrey with the young Squire Hugh and to allow each to undergo his own maturing adventures in Sherwood Forest. Minor characters -- three females included -- also are interesting and believable, except perhaps for the executioner. In short, if you want a fine escape, this book offers the best kind of time-travel available for the most reasonable price. I'm eagerly waiting to see what Cadnum does next.