Rosemary Sutcliff

I still think my favourite Robin Hood is Richard Carpenter's 1980s HTV show, 'Robin of Sherwood.' Or maybe Roger Lancellyn Green's retelling. I've only just started reading Rosemary Sutcliff's 1950 version for the first time and, though it's deliciously written, it doesn't have that sense of danger. Of the daily jeopardy that living in the Greenwood as fugitives and outlaws would have brought. But I'm only halfway through - maybe I'm speaking too soon. I love the brilliant dayglo of that 1950s version of the Dark Ages, though - it's a kind of Look and Learn world. Later, I think, Sutcliff's books would be darker and grittier, especially the ones meant for older kids.

Reading this last night and, having watched the (sublime) finale to 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' it struck me that that show is Robin Hood in reverse. In any retelling of Robin Hood it's about how the ranks of the Merry Men were expanded, one by one, as they met new friends and characters. Everyone found a role to adopt in the camp in the middle of the wilderness. Every little adventure is a kind of Bushtucker Trial. On 'Celebrity', though, it's about being voted off and watching the Merry Band dwindle. In Rosemary Sutcliff's Robin Hood there seem to be ever-increasing hordes of men. Hundreds, she says, at one point.

I'm really hoping we get that lovely tale at the end, of Robin's death at the hands of the heartless Abbess who has captured Marian.

On another note entirely, 'Hell's Belles' got a lovely review in the Indepedent yesterday:

"Hell's Belles, By Paul Magrs
Reviewed by Emma Hagestadt
Friday, 4 December 2009
From transsexuals and teenagers to vegans and vamps, Paul Magrs has always shown a soft spot for outsiders. Perhaps his finest creations are Brenda and Effie, the geriatric stars of his Whitby-based gothic mysteries.

The fourth installment finds Brenda (the erstwhile Bride of Frankenstein) and Effie (a witch) dipping their toes in the movie business.

When a film crew arrives in town to remake the schlock horror movie, Get Thee Inside Me, Satan, the two friends are alarmed to discover that the lead, Karla Sorensen, hasn't aged a day.

Something fishy is afoot and the blue-rinsed brigade are determined to get to the bottom of it. This is paranormal redemption at its most camp."