SHERWOOD

An author of works ranging from ironic science fiction (Waiting For the Galactic Bus) to plaintive historical fantasy (The Last Rainbow) attempts a drastic reworking of the Robin Hood legend—with plodding, off-key results. Godwin stretches several points to get going at all: this ``Robin Hood'' is Edward of Denby, a Saxon resister of the Norman invasion of 1066, not the traditional foe of Prince John in the time of Richard the Lion-hearted. When his serfs refuse to conform to Norman ways, Robin loses his holdings to the Sheriff of Nottingham, Ralf Fitz-Gerald, one of William the Conqueror's most honorable and reliable knights. The pair (of whom Ralf is definitely the more sympathetic figure) become bitter foes as Robin turns outlaw; the expected complications ensue. Finally, the (real- life) rebellion of 1075 looms; its Saxon leader, Waltheof, attempts to enlist the now-famous Robin. But, ironically, Robin prefers to join Ralf in support of William rather than side with scheming, treacherous, ambitious Waltheof, whose main hope is to rally the Saxons to the slain King Harold's banner, hidden by Little John since the Battle of Hastings. Pity there's no tradition, in history or folklore, of Saxon resistance centered on Nottingham; neither does the hanging of the familiar names (Marian, Scarlet, John, Tuck, etc.) upon anonymous or unconvincing characters lend conviction to this hard-working but historically implausible, colorless, and vastly overlong enterprise.