Bitten by Books, 'the paranormal review site with bite', gave Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers four-and-a-half tombstones (their ranking criteria) out of a possible five! See below:
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Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers - A Canterbury Tale by Paul A. Freeman
Friar Tuck has just returned from a devastating trip to the Middle East as part of an expedition of Crusaders attempting to make way in the Holy Land for Christians. While there, he witnesses a strange disease which he fears will take over his blessed home in Nottingham. Enter Robin Hood, the “open-handed thief”, who happens to have a group of men willing and able to help the friar and the people of Nottingham defend themselves against the enemy: diseased residents Nottingham who have died and reanimated.
Unlike the various other “___ And Zombies” books out there, Robin Hood and Friar Tuck’s tale is a horror story, whereas the others are generally comedic spoofs or hilarious additions to old stories. Though I was expecting something amusing, Paul A. Freeman handles a horror twist on the tale of Robin Hood exceedingly well. It’s more of a throwback to the literary classics like the Canterbury Tales - a fitting description, if ever I saw one - with morals and lessons to boot. Much like Chaucer’s work, Robin Hood and Friar Tuck focus on religion and piety as proof of acting as the “good guys”’ and yet it’s not as preachy. Written in rhyme, Freeman’s work largely feels like something from the old world with the exception of modern words like “automaton” strewn about.
This newest Canterbury Tale reads much like the plot of a horror movie, and though this made some of the townspeople’s behavior predictable, it also made it comfortable. Robin Hood is the consummate hero, Maid Marian maintains her strong character, and Friar Tuck is self-effacing (though not quite as jolly). The baddies still get their comeuppances - and I think this is what the traditional stories of Robin Hood are all about: making restitution for the injustices of the class system. This is still an integral part of the story, though it clearly takes a backburner to the zombie killing.
My favorite aspect of this story is the ending. It surprised me and, like a political statement about serfs and the ruling class, it’s debatable as to whether or not anyone truly gets a “happy ending”. It’s a more realistic take on the tale of Robin Hood, one I heartily support (this came as quite a shock for me, as I love the happily ever afters prevalent in romances). I hope Mr. Freeman writes more of these Canterbury Tales, whether or not they contain zombies, as the literary geek in me really enjoyed the ride.
Book Stats:
To purchase a print copy of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers from Amazon click here.
To purchase a Kindle copy of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers from Amazon click here.
To purchase a print copy of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers from Barnes and Noble click here.
To purchase an eBook copy of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers from OmniLit click here.
Books in the New Canterbury Tales series in the order they should be read:
Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers - A Canterbury Tale by Paul A. Freeman
Friar Tuck has just returned from a devastating trip to the Middle East as part of an expedition of Crusaders attempting to make way in the Holy Land for Christians. While there, he witnesses a strange disease which he fears will take over his blessed home in Nottingham. Enter Robin Hood, the “open-handed thief”, who happens to have a group of men willing and able to help the friar and the people of Nottingham defend themselves against the enemy: diseased residents Nottingham who have died and reanimated.
Unlike the various other “___ And Zombies” books out there, Robin Hood and Friar Tuck’s tale is a horror story, whereas the others are generally comedic spoofs or hilarious additions to old stories. Though I was expecting something amusing, Paul A. Freeman handles a horror twist on the tale of Robin Hood exceedingly well. It’s more of a throwback to the literary classics like the Canterbury Tales - a fitting description, if ever I saw one - with morals and lessons to boot. Much like Chaucer’s work, Robin Hood and Friar Tuck focus on religion and piety as proof of acting as the “good guys”’ and yet it’s not as preachy. Written in rhyme, Freeman’s work largely feels like something from the old world with the exception of modern words like “automaton” strewn about.
This newest Canterbury Tale reads much like the plot of a horror movie, and though this made some of the townspeople’s behavior predictable, it also made it comfortable. Robin Hood is the consummate hero, Maid Marian maintains her strong character, and Friar Tuck is self-effacing (though not quite as jolly). The baddies still get their comeuppances - and I think this is what the traditional stories of Robin Hood are all about: making restitution for the injustices of the class system. This is still an integral part of the story, though it clearly takes a backburner to the zombie killing.
My favorite aspect of this story is the ending. It surprised me and, like a political statement about serfs and the ruling class, it’s debatable as to whether or not anyone truly gets a “happy ending”. It’s a more realistic take on the tale of Robin Hood, one I heartily support (this came as quite a shock for me, as I love the happily ever afters prevalent in romances). I hope Mr. Freeman writes more of these Canterbury Tales, whether or not they contain zombies, as the literary geek in me really enjoyed the ride.
Book Stats:
- Paperback: 112 pages
- Publisher: Coscom Entertainment (October 23, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1926712234
- ISBN-13: 978-1926712239
To purchase a print copy of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers from Amazon click here.
To purchase a Kindle copy of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers from Amazon click here.
To purchase a print copy of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers from Barnes and Noble click here.
To purchase an eBook copy of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers from OmniLit click here.
Books in the New Canterbury Tales series in the order they should be read:
Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers
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