About this title: The final installment of a completely re-imagined epic of the man known as Robin Hood. Told in a far more eerie, earthy, and elemental way than ever before, this book will radically alter everything known about the folklore hero.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc
Date Published: 2009-02-18
ISBN-13:9781595540874ISBN:1595540873
Description: NEW. Hardcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9781595540874. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9781595540874ISBN:1595540873
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9781595540874ISBN:1595540873
Description: New. The final installment of a completely re-imagined epic of the man known as Robin Hood. Told in a far more eerie, earthy, and elemental way than ever before, this book will radically alter everything known about the folklore hero. read more
"What we know now as legend, old and familiar as the dusty books we read as children, began in the dark distance of the past as something else-as some truth we've changed until we remember things that never were and forget those that really happened.
For every legend we love, another story lies buried somewhere, tantalizing and forever out of reach.
"It will seem strange to many readers," writes Stephen R. Lawhead, "and perhaps even perverse, to take Robin Hood out of Sherwood Forest and relocate him in Wales; worse still to remove all trace of Englishness, set his story in the eleventh century, and recast the honourable outlaw as an early British freedom fighter. My contention is that although in Nottingham, the Robin Hood legends found good soil in which to grow, they must surely have originated elsewhere."
In the King Raven (Welsh "Rhi Bran") Trilogy, the "elsewhere" is Wales. Bran ap Brychan is the clever, roguish, and reckless son of a bullheaded king, estranged from his father and wishing nothing more than to pursue his own lusts in his own way. All that changes when Brychan and his war band are slaughtered by treacherous Normans. Elfael is given into Norman hands, and Bran, the rightful king, is driven wounded into the shadows of Coed Cadw, the Guardian Wood.
Hood tells the story of Bran's plunge into the forest, his rescue by the ancient bard Angharad, and the beginning of his fight against the Normans as he embraces his role as king. In Scarlet, the legend continues as men and women gather around Bran, becoming more and more the rogue outlaw and merry men we all know. And in Tuck, the story reaches its powerful conclusion.
As Tuck opens, the men and women of Coed Cadw are staggering home from bitter betrayal at the hands of William Rufus, the Norman king. The Saxon mendicant Aethelfrith, nicknamed "Friar Tuck," trudges alongside them, praying: "How long, O Lord? How long must your servants suffer? And Lord, does it have to be so blasted hot?"
With their hope of royal intervention snatched from them, Bran and his people prepare for the fiercest battle of their lives-a prolonged and impossibly stacked battle for peace.
The tale is written with Lawhead's customary mastery of place and time, by times earthy and misty with the atmosphere of a Great Britain shared by Normans, Saxons, and Cymry. The details are never forced, but they transport readers back to the eleventh century as effectively as any time machine. The characters, too, are brought to life through Lawhead's skillful writing - especially Tuck himself, whose bow-your-head-and-pass-the-ale faith is extraordinarily human and real.
Compared to the dark, brooding atmosphere of Hood, I found Tuck to be an adventure story of the kind I loved reading as a child. It's funny, exciting, and sometimes sad, carried ever forward by the power of hope. By the final chapters, it seems certain that hope will never come to fruition-but then there's that ending, unexpected, almost unbelievable, and entirely right.
But that's all I'll say about that.
Faith is a very real force in Tuck. Nearly every character claims it, be he villain or hero, priest or Norman soldier or Welsh king. Most believe themselves to be on God's side-or at least sincerely hope they are-and most are wrong in some respect. God is on His own side, after all. But the men and women of Lawhead's eleventh-century Britain never make the modern mistake of thinking that God is not involved at all.
Tuck, with his staff, taking his place behind Bran and Scarlet, found himself walking beside Owain. "Whatever happens today," said the young warrior, "I would have you say a prayer for me, Friar."
"And here I have been praying for us all since first light, have I not?"
"Then," said Owain, "I will pray for you, Friar Tuck."
"Do that, boyo," agreed Tuck. "You do that."
Tuck is a powerful conclusion to a trilogy that dares take us back to a place and time forgotten, reimagining a legend in a way that might have been, with true credit to a God who certainly is. It's a thoroughly enjoyable read."
"When I started reading this, I didn't know it was the third book in a trilogy, but I soon realized it is a stand alone book that makes occasional references to events in the previous two books. A knowledge of the first two isn't necessary to enjoy the third one.
Basically, this is a re-telling of the Robin Hood legends with a twist. Instead of Sherwood Forest the setting is the Marches on the border of England and Wales. The story takes place in the reign of King William Rufus, the son of William the Conqueror. All of the principal Robin Hood characters are here, Friar Tuck, Alan Dale, Marian (Merian) and the others. Instead of Robin Hood, we have a Welshman, Rhi Bran.
The story is mostly told from Tuck's point of view, hence the title.
Bran is the son of a king. Upon the death of his father, Bran is denied his father's kingdom by King William. Instead the small kingdom is turned over to Abbot Hugo who is determined to kill Bran and thus eliminate the claim on the kingdom. Bran evicts Hugo from the kingdom and Hugo flees to King William and tells a tale of rebellion. Bran and his friends travel around the Marches and Wales seeking soldiers to help him retain his crown. William, determined to crush any hint of rebellion, marches on Bran with an army of knights while Bran receives reinforcements from unexpected allies. Before a bloody slaughter can take place, Tuck convinces the King to listen to Bran to see if a treaty can be worked out. The meeting goes well and Bran regains his father's kingdom.
Overall, this is an enjoyable adventure story about one of the more colorful heroes in the English language."
"What an amazing ending to a fantastic story. The first two books in this series deal with Rhi Bran, King Raven, or Robin Hood fighting the Normans for control of his small fiefdom in Wales.
He is a usurped King in search of freedom for his people and land. In the course of the final installment of this series, Rhi Bran, comes head to head with William the Red; the current King of England. This book is narrated from the point of view of the beloved Friar Tuck. Tuck creates a vivid picture of his own fight for a peaceful end to the conflict between William and Bran.
The book concludes by tying our own version of Robin Hood in with the trilogy's version of the tale.
A must read series for anyone who loves the story of Robin Hood and his merry men."
"How many out there enjoy watching Robin Hood when you were younger (or even now?). It brings back good memories for myself, whether it was the cartoon version or the actual movie. Not to mention I keep seeing Men In Tights in my head lol.. sorry..
And while I've grown up and put Robin and his merry men in the back of my memories, something has drawn it out again!
Tuck by Stephen Lawhead is all about those merry men! And let me say, I loved it.
First, I really enjoy Lawhead's writing style. He had me from page one. He invited me into the novel and kept me hooked. I love the language he gave to his characters. And I really love that he gave the "sound key" for the Celtic language at the beginning of the book. It is so sumptuous and I love the poetry of it! It made me feel like I was sneaking a peek into their lives and had somehow received this special invitation to read it. So what is Tuck about? Well, Tuck is the third book in the King Raven Trilogy. And if you haven't guessed, Tuck, is the famous Friar Tuck from Robin Hood. It takes the tale of Robin Hood to the Welsh countryside and gives it a Celtic, medieval presence. Rhi Bran y Hud (Robin) and his "merry men" go through the country they make friends and foes and fight for their lives, and Robin tries to reclaim the throne that is rightfully his.
I found it really interesting to read the story from Tuck's view. It is a refreshing change! And what's more the image of Tuck being nothing more than a rotund little man with nothing but ale on his mind is changed here! I found Tuck engaging and an interesting fellow to get to know.
I like Lawhead's choice of location, and it definitely brings new twists to the story that I wouldn't have expected. The fact that Rhi Bran y Hud (Robinhood) it placed in the Welsh country instead of the traditional Sherwood forest, brings up new and intriguing imagery! I've read a few comments about Lawhead being extremely familiar with the Welsh, and while this is my first read of one of Mr. Lawhead's books, I appreciate writers who write what they know; I mean why wouldn't you? When I was a child I would change Robin Hood to fit into my backyard, and now I would fit him on the farm... so why wouldn't I fit him into the country side I knew?
I think anyone who loves a good adventure will enjoy this book. I loved the transformation of Robin from theif to king, and even more so the kernels of truth planted in this book.
Now, hubby has stolen this book and wants to finish reading it, so I'll conclude by saying I think we'll be getting the other two books to see the whole story! Yummmmy!!"
We guarantee every item's condition, as described on Alibris. If you are not satisfied that an item is as described, return your purchase for a refund.
rating
