The Outlaws of Sherwood

By Vella Karman

Robin Hood is a much-told tale, I remember watching an old TV series of the bold hero who never missed a target and got away with any daring thing he set out to do. Although Robin Mckinley’s The Outlaws of Sherwood is starkly different, I enjoyed it immensely. It is a blazingly written novel and a natural specimen of writing expertise. I especially found the points of view used in The Outlaws of Sherwood sublimely effective and immensely satisfying without intruding into the storyline.

Robin Mckinley uses the omniscient point of view in this piece-the story is told by an outside presence, not a character but a viewer.  In this case, the narrator knows a lot of what the characters think and feel, but does not tell it all the time. This narrative distance gives him the ability to tell several different character’s thoughts and follow one when they separate -bouncing back right before they return. I know this technique is widely used, but I found this a very good example of it used wisely, keeping it less predictable. This also makes it easier for Mckinley to skip long periods of time; only telling the most important events. I found this is very fitting to the story and enjoyed that it saved added material that wasn’t important- but attempted to make the time passing read smoother.

In one part the point of view is switched to Marian. This confused me at first, but it also came at a fitting time as I was wondering how she felt about Robin. Later on, however, this point of view also showed what happened in a scene before Robin showed up, as well as giving a peep into Marrian’s head; which built her character in a way that explains her actions in a future scene. It also made me less surprised when the point of view switched into another character’s head for a long period later in the book.

At another point, Mckinley follows a minor character, Cecily, to the fair. I was again, put off. It turned out that it was important because it revealed her love for her companion- as well as giving a first-hand account of an important scene and adding confusion to the appearance of another character. It also gave a few minor explanations that I appreciated.

During the main battle scene, the point of view is switched often; almost every paragraph for a page or two. After that McKinley stays with a character who is not fighting for a period; which let me catch my breath, as I am not a big fan of fighting. This character also, though slightly implausibly, runs into several characters, showing the action. We leave this character when he gives a weapon to another character, and end up following the weapon as it is passed from hand to hand. This is still implausible, but it delighted me and was an effective way to tell the story.

I believe Robin McKinley’s The Outlaws of Sherwood is an excellent example for writers to try to attain, especially in his use of points of view to effectively and efficiently tell the story. He delicately coerces the points of view in the book to develop characters, relay information, add suspense and confusion, and do anything else he wants them to do. I applaud him, and someday I hope to attain half as much as excellence as he. And though I still fondly remember the black-and-white shows of my childhood-The Outlaws of Sherwood has made a lasting positive impact on Robinhood for me; forever.