This is a tricky book, because on the one hand, I know it’s not for everyone. It would definitely be rated R for violence and language, it can feel slow at times, and it’s hard to find a character who is likable all the way through. But on the other hand, I think it is a book that nails its theme, and would serve well as required reading for anyone going into law enforcement, military, politics—any form of public service or leadership, really.

Nottingham is brilliantly, maddeningly, and frighteningly accurate in its depiction of human fallibility. You really can almost start out rooting for every character, and even understand where they’re coming from, but as the book progresses, you see the flaws in their thinking—inflexibility, bias, misunderstanding, anger, and paranoia, among other issues—get bigger, more entrenched, and more consequential. I spent much of the first several chapters wondering “What’s the twist? Who is going to end up being the bad guy here?”, but that’s the point. There are no inherent “bad guys” or “good guys” in this story, just a lot of people struggling to keep themselves afloat in hard times and doing desperate things because of it, and sometimes becoming unwitting pawns in a bigger game of politics because of it. In the end, everyone’s hands are dirty, and it seems the ones most determined to see the world in black and white are likely the ones who caused the most damage. So many tragedies in this book could have been avoided if those involved had been willing to consider the other side’s perspective, to communicate, and to look for a middle ground.

If you know and love Robin Hood, be prepared for something different here. Yes, it acknowledges all the details of the legends, but it deconstructs those legends and often pokes fun at them (the idea of the archery contest to catch Robin gets outright mocked). Nottingham is also described as historical fiction, and in my opinion it fits that just fine, but I also must warn the purists out there that the language and attitudes of many characters are more modern. I think that just serves to make the story more accessible, but I know there are those that might find that jarring.

All in all, I’m giving Nottingham 3 stars. It’s a solid book, but it’s not for everyone, even if it might be  eye-opening for everyone. If you like a bloody, tragic spiral, or are looking for some challenging perspectives to discuss, this is one to consider.