first, I found that it was a great deal better a novel than when I last read it at the age of 17!
However, it wasn't as good as I wished it to be.
Part of the problem is that this is a book witten in the early years of the English Novel genre and a certain clumsiness is evident. Thus, I found myself bored with Scott's ponderous style and his tendency to substitute authorial editorialising of event and motive for dramatisation of them.
On the other hand, Scott clearly knew a good story when he found one and the combination of the conflict of Richard and John, the Norman and the Saxon rivalry with the attack on anti-Semitism and the input of Robin Hood clearly makes for an excellent, absorbing action-filled plot. I thought the novel really came to life when Richard met Friar Tuck!
Rebecca is a vivid character {and much more interesting than Rowena IMO). The male characters tend to be more stereotypical but effective nonetheless. Prince John, for example, is an excellent villain while Richard, of course, is presented as the iconic good warrior-king.
All-in-all I enjoyed the novel and also the chance to reassess it {which I probably wouldn't have done otherwise}.