If you are looking for a classic to read in the fall, this is a book for you. Classic scary story.
Gangly Ichabod Crane is a Connecticut school teacher. The near penniless bachelor has traveled to the Hudson Valley in search of a teaching position. When he meets Katrina Van Tassel, he decides she would make him a perfect wife. But Brom Bones has also set his cap for Katrina. He lets Ichabod know about the local legend; the ghost of a Hessian soldier who lost his head to a cannon ball during the revolutionary war. The headless horseman roams the woods near Sleepy Hollow searching for his head. One night Ichabod meets him...
Since it is Halloween, I thought I would listen to this classic short story. The writing was very descriptive. There was very little dialogue. Actually, I'm not sure there was any dialogue. Unfortunately, I wanted less description and more plot. The confrontation between Ichabod and the headless horseman was very quick. Next time I'll stick to the movie version of the story. My rating: 3 Stars.
Since it is Halloween, I thought I would listen to this classic short story. The writing was very descriptive. There was very little dialogue. Actually, I'm not sure there was any dialogue. Unfortunately, I wanted less description and more plot. The confrontation between Ichabod and the headless horseman was very quick. Next time I'll stick to the movie version of the story. My rating: 3 Stars.
Washington Irving wrote with a rand of different styles on many subjects, and this collection of stories is taken from seven of his forty volumes. It offeres a wider insight into the workds of Irving than just his most famous works: the enjoyable stories of The Legend of Sleepy hollow, in which lanky schoolmaster Ichabod Crane meets the headless horseman, and RIp vvan Winkle who falls asleep for 20 years.
Reading this very humorous tale, I'm reminded of the Walt Disney film of the same name. Reading Ichabod Crane's description, riding his gallant, almost-steed, reminds me of the caricature in the film that was so funny. This is a classic that will never die because it pokes fun at the foibles in all of us. Delightful.
Annotation
A superstitious schoolmaster, in love with a wealthy farmer's daughter, has a terrifying encounter with a headless horseman.
From the Publisher
Washington Irvings The Legend of Sleepy Hollow first appeared in 1819. In the generations that have followed, this tall tale of Ichabod Crane's terrifying yet hilarious encounter with the Headless Horseman has become so popular that it has passed into American folklore.
In 1928, a new edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was issued, featuring enchanting paintings and drawings by world-renowned illustrator Arthur Rackharn. To this day, many consider Rackham's the definitive illustrations for Irving's highspirited tale.
Now a new generation of readers and listeners can fall under the spell of Irvings story and Rackham's pictures. This edition of the complete, unedited text faithfully reproduces all eight of Rackham's colorful paintings, twenty-four of his penand-ink drawings, and his colorful endpapers.
Here you will meet the tall, gangly Ichabod Crane, the schoolmaster who is as much in love with Katrina Van Tassel's fortune as he is with the beautiful Katrina herself. You will also meet Ichabod's rival, the hotblooded brawler and prankster Brom Bones. And you can decide for yourself if Ichabod Crane really met the Headless Horseman on that dark, lonely road late one night.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a fine blend of comedy and the supernatural for the whole family.
A superstitious schoolmaster, in love with a wealthy farmer's daughter, has a terrifying encounter with a headless horseman.
From the Publisher
Washington Irvings The Legend of Sleepy Hollow first appeared in 1819. In the generations that have followed, this tall tale of Ichabod Crane's terrifying yet hilarious encounter with the Headless Horseman has become so popular that it has passed into American folklore.
In 1928, a new edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was issued, featuring enchanting paintings and drawings by world-renowned illustrator Arthur Rackharn. To this day, many consider Rackham's the definitive illustrations for Irving's highspirited tale.
Now a new generation of readers and listeners can fall under the spell of Irvings story and Rackham's pictures. This edition of the complete, unedited text faithfully reproduces all eight of Rackham's colorful paintings, twenty-four of his penand-ink drawings, and his colorful endpapers.
Here you will meet the tall, gangly Ichabod Crane, the schoolmaster who is as much in love with Katrina Van Tassel's fortune as he is with the beautiful Katrina herself. You will also meet Ichabod's rival, the hotblooded brawler and prankster Brom Bones. And you can decide for yourself if Ichabod Crane really met the Headless Horseman on that dark, lonely road late one night.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a fine blend of comedy and the supernatural for the whole family.
I have never read the story or seen any of the film adaptations. I thought it fitting, however, to finally read before heading to Sleepy Hollow to see a live production of the short story. Irvings description of the place is spot on Sleepy Hollow certainly hasnt lost its beauty and charm since the story was published almost 200 years ago. The ending made me chuckle.
