The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Book Description

The chief part of the stories, however, turned upon the favorite specter of Sleepy Hollow, the Headless Horseman, who had been heard several times of late, patrolling the country; and, it was said, tethered his horse nightly among the graves in the churchyard. The story was immediately matched by a thrice marvelous adventure of Brom Bones, who made light of the Galloping Hessian as an arrant jockey. He affirmed that on returning one night from the neighboring village of Sing Sing, he had been overtaken by this midnight trooper; that he had offered to race with him for a bowl of punch, and should have won it too, for Daredevil beat the goblin horse all hollow, but just as they came to the church bridge, the Hessian bolted, and vanished in a flash of fire. All these tales, told in that drowsy undertone with which men talk in the dark, the countenances of the listeners only now and then receiving a casual gleam from the glare of a pipe, sank deep in the mind of Ichabod. . . .

Customer Reviews:

delightfully entertaining !.......2007-06-12

I remember reading this story as a child, how it was frightening and suspenseful at times, but always entertaining and an enjoyable read. Re-reading this classic American story for academic purposes, to my surprise I found that the same feeling still persisted through the years, only this time with a deeper understanding of the rhetorics and it's witty brilliance. Irving's exceptional and unique way of combining suspense and humor makes this story a must read for everyone.

The sheer length of the story already got me excited. It's short and a fast-read, but not compromising for its quality. The story primarily deals with a man named Ichabod Crane, a teacher immediately following the American Revolution. Ichabod surrounds himself with beliefs of mystical creatures and legends, such as that of the Headless Horseman. His superstitions are what ultimately brings Ichabod to his downfall. Not only Ichabod, but the entire town is certain that such a creature exists, although no one has uncovered evidence, and as a result myths fly around and everyone is on their toes about the whole issue. This goes to show Irving's primary argument and purpose in this story: that false supersitious beliefs will ultimately lead to ones downfall, as is the case for Ichabod.

The overall tone of this story is light and lyrical, with a dash of wit and humor thrown in to add spice. Irving's eloquent and flowy writing makes this story enjoyable just from the sound of the language, and has an unusual combination of freight and suspense with light-hearted humor. Throughout the book, Irving also gives examples of some of the dark elements present in the story. For example, Irving warns readers that they are about to enter a sleepy land that is open to supernatural happenings. The mythical events that happen in the land correspond to ideas of dark romanticism that incorporated fantastical occurrences. However, not the entire book is plagued with dark and serious elements. For example, the character of Ichabod Crane is intended to be comical, because Irving assigns odd characteristics to him, such as an abnormal nose and gangly frame. Through such traits, Irving adds humor that is shown through the character of Ichabod from the otherwise dark and gloomy storyline.

All in all, this story is simply a must read for any lover of American literature.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.......2007-03-08

I havent read this book since I was a kid and it is as classic as ever.

delightful for all ages.......2007-01-12

What The Legend of Sleepy Hollow lacks in substance it makes up for in quality. Washington Irving writes a short piece crammed with elements of sophisticated literature, Dark Romanticism, and meaningful themes. This short story is a literary masterpiece that is directed to a wide range of readers.
Short and easy to read, the Legend of Sleepy Hollow provides a delightful storyline that fascinates even the youngest audiences. Irving's diction is somewhat elevated, but not so much that it is confusing or difficult. The words would provide an excellent transition for novices that wish to improve on their vocabulary. The style is intriguing and never fails to entertain readers. Children can get an early exposure to writing from another era and gain an early respect for Dark Romantic literature. Most laudable is Washington Irving's extremely vivid imagery. His depiction of the rural town of Sleepy Hollow is unmatched, with each image providing a burst of emotion. The writing is straightforward and will not confuse or perplex readers. The supernatural aspects of the story make this far from bland, exciting children and adults alike. There is a considerable amount of mystery, suspense, and action, each adding to the joy in reading the piece.
The story itself may seem simple, but The Legend of Sleepy Hollow can entertain many intellectuals with its themes and dark Romantic aspects. There are many elements that are sophisticated enough to be dissected, scrutinized and, analyzed. Although the plot is straightforward, themes are hidden and can be vague. The story ends on a note in which nothing is absolute, leaving it to readers to come up with their own theories. Complex themes from Dark Romanticism are rampant and can reveal complex revelations about human nature.
The story is short, but complex in its themes and literary aspects, making the novel a delightful piece to read and analyze.

An Age-Old Classic.......2007-01-12

I remember reading The Legend of Sleepy Hollow as a child, as it was one of the classic tales that frankly frightened me a lot, but it was always an enjoyable read. Now, having to read the story academically, I have found that Washington Irving subtly covers many themes throughout his story that I would have never realized if I had not been digging for them- revealing the brilliance of Irving's writing. To be able to integrate such classic humor with insights into human nature is an amazing feat, and Irving does so seamlessly.

Written years after the Revolutionary War, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow contains an underlying message about how America needs to act in order to succeed as an established society. It was not until I had read many literary criticisms on the story that I could find this theme apparent throughout the story. Irving brilliantly juxtaposes the practical Brom Van Brunt to the overly imaginative protagonist, Ichabod Crane. The two characters compete to win Katrina Van Tassle's affections. Throughout the story, Ichabod surrounds himself in tales of ethereal creatures, and these tales greatly influence Ichabod's state of mind. After hearing about the infamous Headless Horseman, Ichabod takes an unsettling trek home through nature and is frightened by every little noise, believing each shadow to be a mark of the horseman, revealing his active imagination. In the end, it is his imagination that ultimately brings Ichabod to his downfall and the brawny Brom to his success, as he is the one who successfully woos Katrina. Ichabod represents the idealistic and superstitious mindset that America as a society should not adapt to; rather, America should be more practical and realistic, like Brom.

Irving's writing is humorous and bright and the novel truly deserves its place in classic American literature, as it spawned the dawn of comedic writing in America. From an academic standpoint, however, I cannot say that I would encourage readers to pursue this story for any moralistic lesson in particular. The historical context in which Irving wrote the story creates a bit of barrier to relate the novel to today's society. Despite all of that, the Legend of Sleepy Hollow is definitely an enjoyable read that one could indulge in for leisure.

Bedtime story and classic American fiction all in one.......2007-01-12

Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a short and entertaining book which takes the reader on a journey, following the schoolteacher Ichabod Crane and his wild fantasies. The beautiful yet dark setting of Sleepy Hollow creates a curious atmosphere, blending Ichabod's chase after Katrina with his own attempted escape from the headless horseman. The perspective of the story, told through the point of view of a storyteller, gives an interesting view, leaving out parts that the reader must fill in on his or her own. As the reader completes the story, he or she is left with a great mystery which surrounds the ending of the novel, concerning whether the headless horseman was just a hoax created by Brom Bones to scare off Ichabod Crane, or the Galloping Hessian really does haunt the town of Sleepy Hollow. Each reader is allowed to discover his or her own perspective of the story's ending.

Although only a short tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow goes beyond the simple bedtime story. The chimerical nature of Ichabod Crane and his hodgepodge of superstitions ultimately lead to his downfall, a detail not easily uncovered with a quick read-through. Irving's criticism of dwelling too long on dreams and fantasies is exposed through the schoolteacher's flaws and supposed death. Even if the reader does not immediately pick up these points, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is still a delightful tale to indulge in.

What makes The Legend of Sleepy Hollow such a great book is the author's writing style, which appeals to readers of all ages. Irving creates contrasting moods, setting scenes of joy and gaiety next to gloomy nightmares. He places the lovely home of the Van Tassels in the superstitious town of Sleepy Hollow. These contrasts create a beautiful and intricately designed setting for the legend of the headless horseman. Scholarly readers can analyze the effects of the shifts in tone and atmosphere, while younger readers can indulge in Irving's vivid descriptions, picturing themselves feasting with the Van Tassels or riding with Ichabod on his flight from the Galloping Hessian.

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Mr. Rogers meets Saw 3
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Reflections of the Old World Through Washington Irving's Tales
headless horseman
headless horseman

Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Jane Mason
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0439225108

Book Description

Ichabod Crane loves nothing more than telling ghost stories. But Ichabod is terribly afraid of ghosts and would never want to meet one - especially the spooky Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow!There are many scary spirits and ghosts who haunt Sleepy Hollow. But none is more frightening than the Headless Horseman. When Ichabod meets the Headless Horseman, will he live to tell his story?

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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Featured is the terrifying headless horseman, the gawky Ichabod Crane and the peerless Katerina.

Customer Reviews:

Mr. Rogers meets Saw 3.......2007-06-03

I will keep this quick because it was already a waste of time to read this book. They used these horrible drawing for the book that look like my little brother did them. Basically they messed up the story and made it for kids. They made it a childrens book, if that is what your looking for then it is good.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.......2007-04-26

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
By: Washington Irving
Review by Tristan
Did you ever hear of the headless horseman? If you didn't, now you will.
Ichabod Crane is a thin, odd-looking school teacher of Sleepy Hollow. He likes Katrina Van Tassel and also her father's farm. Katrina Van Tassel is a pretty, young flitter of sleepy hollow. Her father, Baltus Van Tassel, is a wealthy man who has a harvest feast. Ichabod borrows Gun Powder ,a horse, to get to the feast. Ichabod is competing for Katrina. His nemeses Brom Bones, the town's dare devil.
So, one day when he just borrowed Gun Powder and he fell asleep in Sleepy Hollow's little valley. Some people say it was curse by a German doctor or by an Indian Chief the wizard of his tribe who held his Pow-Wows there. So he falls asleep and wakes up face to face with the HEADLESS HORSEMAN. Some people say he's a ghost of a cavalry revolutionary war officer and he got his head shot off. Does Ichabod live or die?
If you like to read scary books this is for you, but if you like Elmo it's

Reflections of the Old World Through Washington Irving's Tales.......2006-10-31

Indeed, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle" are the capstone stories to THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW AND OTHER STORIES, OR THE SKETCH BOOK OF GEOFFREY CRAYON, GENT. However, it is the other 32 essays and short stories that are the jewel to the Modern Library Classics'edition of Washington Irving's most widely read literary tales. Through the psyeudonyms of Diedrich Knickenbacker and Geoffrey Crayon, Gent, Irving produced his most revered works, HISTORY OF NEW YORK AND SKETCH BOOK, which both reflect on the state of early nineteenth century America -- 40 or more years after the American Revolution and soon after the War of 1812, and later the dawn of the Industrial Age. Irving's stories have the same flair of Charles Dickens's, but with a nostalgic quality.

The best part of the book is the humor and observations that Irving wrote from both sides of the Atlantic. His flowing and quite descriptive prose livens his stories, especially the haunting Halloween classic "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." "Rip Van Winkle" has a bit of Jeffersonian thought about idleness. But addition to these tales, Irvings invites all to share a little holiday fair as he takes readers into the fun and folly of an Old English Christmas with five delightful stories: "Christmas," "The Stage Coach," "Christmas Eve," "Christmas Day," and "Christmas Dinner," which all echoes Dickens in mind. However, these were written years before "A Christmas Carol."

Beyond the folklore tales that resonate the Old World, Irving also writes about Native Americans. He tells the story of the Indian in "Traits of Indian Character" and "Philip of Pokanoket"; the latter is the tale of the legendary figure King Philip. The last passage of "Philip" definitely strikes an ironic chord, "...he lived a wanderer and a fugitive in his native land, and went down, like a lonely bark foundering amid darkness and tempest - without pity eye to weep his fall, or a friendly hand to record his struggle" (266).

Washington Irving's THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW AND OTHER STORIES are filled with a treasure trove of American literature. All the stories are suitable reading for any season, or merely for the pleasure of reading a collection of stories that reflect on a historical past.

headless horseman.......2006-05-23

Ichabod meets a lovely girl named Katrina but she used him to make Brom Bones mad and then Ichabod leaves in sorrow and then the Headless Horse Man throws a pumpkin at Ichabod's head and then Ichabod is never seen again.
People who shouldn't read this are the people who can get scared very easily.

headless horseman.......2006-05-23

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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Washington Irving
Manufacturer: Wildside Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0809595141

Book Description

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so so .. at best.. and NO diaologue.. NONE
It didn't go beyond cute
A Great Comics Adaption of a Truly Wonderful Classic Short-Story!

The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow
Washington Irving , and Bo Hampton
Manufacturer: Image Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1582404119

Book Description

This is Bo Hampton's 1993 Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a faithful adaptation of Washington Irving's tale surrounding the ghostly inhabitants of Tarrytown, New York around the time of the American Revolution. The cast of characters is headed up by the Headless Horseman himself! This edition boasts new covers and 16 pages of new material, including numerous preliminary sketches of scenes and characters.

Customer Reviews:

so so .. at best.. and NO diaologue.. NONE.......2007-07-24

i was quite bummed when i opened this book only to find out that there is NO SPEECH BUBBLES. theres no diaologue or how ever you spell it. only the narrator describing what is happening. the art is nice and dark and is appropriate. it follows the original story as best as i know. but like i said the whole comic is voicec overed so to speak. hope this helps.

It didn't go beyond cute.......2007-01-12

Yes, I love Ichabod Crane. He is cute and quirky and Washington Irving does an efficient job in garnering sympathy for the plot's protagonist. And I hoped for his best as he tried desperately to escape the woes of the Headless Hessian and win the heart of Katrina. But that's the only positive I saw in this short story.

The whole plot never went beyond lethargic and boring. And this wasn't because of the time period as this time period inspired future horror writer Edgar Allen Poe. The town's name is a good representation of what goes on in this town. And the grand jerk of the story, Brom Bones, wasn't depicted as the truly evil and seductive man out to ruin everyone and benefit only himself. He wasn't the fun guy everyone loves to hate. In fact, if I were him, I would have at least been feeling the same feelings he was. The writing style wasn't impressive and I really wasn't at the edge of my seat. I honestly wanted effective suspense with short syntax and frigtening diction, as Poe and Hawthorne do so effectively in their works. I haven't seen the movie yet, but it must be an improvement since it has Johnny Depp and special effects to replace the lacking substance within the plot.

A Great Comics Adaption of a Truly Wonderful Classic Short-Story!.......2005-08-09

This adaption of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is effective on multiple levels. To begin with, it's a very good adaption, illustrated with beautifully moody painted artwook by Bo Hampton, who is sort of a nouveau legend in comics along with his brother Scott. They aren't prolific, but their works are generally amazing to look at, if not always to read. Fortunately, this time the story is great as well!

Hampton faithfully adapts Washington Irving's classic tale, keeping a huge portion of the original prose, which appears as captions along with his artwork. Every scene of the original story is in this book, and every character interaction is included. This is a complete, unabridged comics adaption. It's also one of, if not the most faithful literary comics adaption ever done. It was nominated for several awards when originally released in the nineties.

Incidentally, this adaption was originally conceived as a "Classics Illustrated" story, but never appeared in that format due to a contract misunderstanding that is explained in the introduction. If it HAD been a CI story, it would have been the best of the series.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Washington Irving
Manufacturer: Atheneum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1416906258

Book Description

Are all the lights on?

Is there a parent in the house?

Are the windows shut and locked? Double-check!

They HAVE to be if you are going to read this book, which is undoubtedly the scariest rendition of one of the greatest ghost stories ever told: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

While you may have heard of Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel, and the Headless Horseman, you've never SEEN them quite like this -- through the macabre imagination of the inimitable Gris Grimly.

So, take a deep breath and take a long look. And you may want to bring a flashlight to bed with you tonight....

Customer Reviews:

The best version ever........2007-02-06

I make no bones about it. I am an Legend of Sleepy Hollow fanatic. I have loved the story ever since growing up in that wonderful region along the Tappan Zee. Every Autumn, I look forward to reliving what WAshington Irving so lovingly captured. This production is simply a wonder to behold. It captures the flavor and feel of what Mr. Irving with our doubt meant to present. I was stunned to discover (to their credit) that this production remained very faithful to the book (something rarely done in this Hip Hop age). This is a great CD and I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy the acting and very powerful music score. Get a copy, you will be glad you did.

the best Sleepy Hollow ever.......2007-02-06

This is excellent...5 stars...It does not get any better than this! How is that for a simple review? Well, I love audio dramas, and have been listening to them almost exclusively now for over a decade. I also love the writing of Washington Irving..So I feel the need to let the world know that finally someone has done my boy Washington Irving justice with his superb "legend of Sleepy Hollow". Colonial Radio hit the ball out of the park when they recorded this gem. The acting is FANTASTIC! They all captured the essence of these wonderfully absurd characters...I loved Icabod, as I loved Brom Bones. The narration too was a joy to behold (as he let Washington's prose speak for itself, though it was certainly performed with flair and pinache, just as one would perform a one man show...no dull audio book drone here). The Musical score was inspired (Three cheers for Mr. Gage), and the surprise musical number was a joy. I used to read this classic every October, now I make it a point of catching this chestnut while it is airing on XM radio, or I just pop in my CD. Great job Colonial, this truly is as good as it gets!

Legend of Sleepy Hollow and other Stories from the Sketch Book

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"Warm and cheerful pictures of English life"
Washington Irving slept for forty years
Thoughtful collection of observations, essays, and stories.
"...bright gems of wisdom and golden veins of language."
This book offers so much

Legend of Sleepy Hollow and other Stories from the Sketch Book
Washington Irving
Manufacturer: Signet Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451524950

Book Description

This collection of stories from Washington Irving includes some of America's best-known works of fiction-such as the famous Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow-as well as lesser-known works as The Specter Bridegroom, Westminster Abbey, English Writers on America, Stratford on Avon, The Art of Bookmaking, The Mutability of Literature, and The Christmas Quintet.

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THE following papers, with two exceptions, were written in England, and formed but part of an intended series for which I had made notes and memorandums. Before I could mature a plan, however, circumstances compelled me to send them piecemeal to the United States, where they were published from time to time in portions or numbers. It was not my intention to publish them in England, being conscious that much of their contents could be interesting only to American readers, and, in truth, being deterred by the severity with which American productions had been treated by the British press.

Customer Reviews:

"Warm and cheerful pictures of English life".......2005-06-14

Washington Irving's "Sketch Book" is an eccentric mongrel of literary types that mingles travel writing, literary reflections, and tales (fiction and historical); it is most famous for "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." In 1931, the literary critic Henry Seidel Canby remarked that "without the two Dutch stories, however, 'The Sketch Book' would not have worn so well. They are perfect examples of what Irving loved to do, and naturally he did them well."

Indeed, few readers ever encounter any of the other selections, except perhaps "The Spectre Bridegroom"--a comic tale of mystery and suspense. What may surprise many readers, however, is that nearly all of the book's remaining entries are about England--mostly about rural life and the landed gentry outside London, or (as described by William Cullen Bryant) "warm and cheerful pictures of English life."

Under the pen name of Geoffrey Crayon, Irving details his sea voyage to England, a comical fishing trip inspired by "The Compleat Angler," a walking excursion through Little Britain (a London neighborhood), and a visit to the library at the British Museum, where he "soon found that the library was a kind of literary 'preserve,' subject to game laws, and that no one must presume to hunt there without special license and permission." He attends a rural church service (during which he pays more attention to the congregants than the rites) and even crashes a funeral party. There are two essays on Shakespeare, a sequence of articles describing English Christmas customs, a biographical account of King James I of Scotland, and a tour of the tombs in Westminster Abbey.

From the safe distance of his exile in England, Irving hurls two essays describing sympathetically "the characters and habits of the North American savage." The phrase is jarring to 21st-century ears, but, while Irving repeatedly uses the unfortunate term, he simultaneously condemns that the "the appellations of savage and pagan were deemed sufficient to sanction the hostilities of both [colonists and writers]." Regardless of its bipolar sensitivity to language, the first essay is a rousing defense of Native Americans: "They cannot but be sensible that the white men are the usurpers of their ancient dominion, the cause of their degradation, and the gradual destroyers of their race." The second essay is a portrait of King Philip, or Metamocet of Pokanoket, the 17th-century chief of the Wampanoag tribe whose conflict with the New England settlers resulted in the near-eradication of his people.

Irving has a tendency to dilute his delight with an abundance of detail, but his mastery of the quip and his sarcasm--so abundant in his "History of New York"--is still on display throughout "The Sketch Book." Its unevenness, ponderousness, and lack of thematic coherence can be challenging, however, and those looking for fiction rather than "sketches" may prefer (as I did) Irving's "Tales of a Traveller," which is comprised entirely of ghost stories, pirate adventures, and tall tales.

Washington Irving slept for forty years .......2005-02-07

My memories of reading ' The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and ' Rip Van Winkle ' in school are memories of vague misunderstanding, a haze of wondering what they were all about. This is especially true in regard the story of Rip Van Winkle.But there was nonetheless in the atmosphere of the stories, something of the feeling of old America, the Dutch- English America so present in the Renssaeleer County I grew up in. Later in life returning to Irving's work I read some of the Alhambra Tales and sketches. All the writing seemed to me to come of ' another world and time' a world and time much more leisurely and slow than the America which was to follow. It is hard to believe but it is little more than thirty- years between Washington Irving's gentelmanly meanderings, and the American Renaissance of Melville, Hawthorne, Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman. Irving is the first American writer known to the world, but he does not really presage the great American creative outburst that is to follow him.
One more point. There is a story from the Talmud about Honi ha- Maagel who goes to sleep for a generation. And when he wakes up finds a wholly new world. He makes then the famous remarks ' Death is preferable to living without friends'. Perhaps Washington Irving too had a sense of being somewhere back in the past, far out of the time of present everyday America. And thus perhaps he suggests that if you sleep too long when you wake up your world is lost and it as if you are dead . i.e. it is as if you have not woken up at all.
Irving in this sense as a writer seems more some one read as a relic than one who gives the kind of inspiring fire his great American successors will provide.

Thoughtful collection of observations, essays, and stories........2004-11-14

I must admit I bought this book solely out of a desire to read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," probably the work Irving is most well-known for today. Every year on Halloween, when I was growing up, a small group of friends and I would watch the old Disney cartoon version of the story while we sorted through our candy. More recently, I fell in love with the 1999 live action adaptation "Sleepy Hollow" starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci. I figured it was about time I read the original story to see how these two films stack up in comparison. The rest of the material in the book was of secondary interest to me in making my purchase, but having now read it I can say that, while it wasn't quite what I expected, it was well worthwhile.

The title is both apt and misleading by turns: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and other stories in the Sketch Book." The use of the term "other stories" led me to believe that it would be just that - a collection of short fiction stories. Not so. There are three pieces in the book which would fit this description - "Rip Van Winkle," "The Specter Bridegroom," and the aforementioned "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" - but the rest is a conglomeration of various other types of writing. The title "Sketch Book" is very appropriate. Irving has, in essence, provided us with a series of short, literary "sketches" on a variety of subjects and in a variety of styles. The topics vary, but they are also arranged in such a way that one usually flows smoothly into the next, lending a sense of continuity despite the variability of material covered.

A large percentage of the book is devoted to the author's observations on life in England, himself, though an American, having spent 17 years there. Some are purely observational, and some have elements of fiction and imagination woven in, as is the case with "The Mutability of Literature," an interesting little piece in which Irving imagines a conversation between himself and an old book. Irving also occasionally ventures into the realm of satire. Other topics he explores include the differences between America and England, the role of women, English funeral traditions, Christmas, love, etc. He also did travel pieces, including the interesting "Stratford on Avon," which tells of his exploration of places connected with the life of William Shakespeare. Toward the end there are two pieces discussing the lot of Native Americans - not politically correct by today's standards, but offering an interesting insight on the mindsets of the time.

I should probably take a little time to discuss "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" itself, since it was my primary motivation for purchasing the book and, I suspect, will be what draws most other modern readers to it as well. If you've only seen the 1999 movie version, do NOT expect anything remotely similar. The old Disney cartoon is much more accurate. It is actually a very short story - about 32 pages in length. Ichabod Crane is a schoolmaster (not an investigator as in the 1999 movie) in the town of Sleepy Hollow, and falls for the young and lovely Katrina Van Tassel. Katrina, however, is also being courted by a rival suitor, Brom Van Brunt. Following a town "quilting frolic" at which many tales of local superstition are told, including that of the Headless Horesman, Ichabod sets out into the night alone, is beset by a headless rider before he reaches is destination, and is never seen in Sleepy Hollow again. It is left up to the reader to determine what happens to him.

The language of the book is antiquated, to be sure, having been composed in 1820, but it is not difficult to read. Irving's writing is very warm and inviting. He does tend to paint things rather romantically, and the England he shares with us is not the England of the Industrial Revolution during which the book was written, but this almost makes it more appealing as it opens up room for imagination. One must also remember that Irving wrote the pieces in "The Sketch Book" largely to combat his own depression, a condition he suffered from greatly, and he probably needed a cheerful outlet to distract him. We do, nevertheless, get a glimpse of his more melancholy thoughts in pieces like "The Widow and Her Son," "Rural Funerals," and "The Pride of the Village," all of which deal with death.

The last chapter of the book, "L'Envoi," is a closing piece that was included at the end of the second volume of the London edition. It is an interesting collection of the author's thoughts on and explanations for his own work. He makes an interesting note on the ecclectic nature of the book: "His [the author's] work being miscellaneous, and written for different humors, it could not be expected that anyone would be pleased with the whole, but that if it should contain something to suit each reader, his end would be completely answered. Few guests sit down to a varied table with an equal appetite for every dish" (362). Also included is an Afterword by Perry Miller, which offers observations and insights on Irving's life and career.

"...bright gems of wisdom and golden veins of language.".......2003-11-22

Not to be read quickly and to be savored like fine wine, Washington Irving's "The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon" is a matchless classic in American Literature. Written in 1820 and destined to become a true American literary pantheon (along with his preceeding work "Diedrich Knickerboker's History of New York), Irving introduces us to timeless observations and wit that ultimately become enduring discources defining early American Literature.

Irving's mantra with this work is a set of observations, indeed "sketches" of his many travels and musings while roaming through England and his home in upstate New York along the Hudson River. The eternal figures of Rip Van Winkle and Ichabod Crane are evoked in this tome and set a literary standard that others aspire to, but one that Irving effortlessly achieves time and again. Not only does this volume frame these two classics, "The Sketch Book" also contains other literary giants such as "The Angler", "John Bull", "Philip of Pokanoket", "The Specter Bridegroom", "The Mutability of Literature" and "The Art of Bookmaking" wherein the essence of Irving's literary style is neatly conveyed in the following:

"Being now in possesion of the secert, I sat down in a corner and watched the process of this book manufactory. I noticed one lean, bilious-looking wight, who sought none but the worst worm-eaten volumes, printed in black letter. He was evidentley constructing some work of profound erudition that would be purchased by every man who wished to be thought learned, placed upon a conspicuous shelf of his library, or laid upon his table, but never read. I observed him, now and then, draw a large fragment of biscuit out of his his pocket and gnaw; whether it was his dinner, or whether he was endeavoring to keep off that exhaustion of the stomach produced by much pondering over dry works, I leave to harder students than myself to determine."

With a style that has emitted diverse emotions (Lord Byron "unashamedly wept" over the melancholy pieces "The Broken Heart", "The Widow and her Son" and "The Rural Funerals") and having enjoyed over a century and a half of eminent popularity, Washington Irving's "aim in life is to escape 'from the commonplace realities of the present' and to lose himself 'among the shadowy grandeurs of the past' ". Readers tuned in to this philosophy continue to enjoy Irving's literary prose (by buying and re-reading his works), and also, by buying and reading, secure his reputation as a master in American Literature. When one has digested "The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon" and "Diedrich Knickerboker's History of New York", one has embraced the essential works of Washington Irving and most would then assuredly join me in saying that he rates eminately in American Literary standing.

This book offers so much.......2003-04-21

I was happily surprised by this book. I have only heard of Irving's ghost stories, which are great and why I purchased it. As I was reading the other stories, I was surprised to be reading of distant lands and historical sites as well. Normally, that would not interest me, but Irving's imagination is profound. He can turn a run down liabrary into a living soul who speaks and interacts with us humans. He can turn an ancient palace into a love story. The only thing I had a problem with was the old school language. It did make reading a little more difficult, however I plan on reading this book again, so I'm sure the second time around will be easier and I will be able to come back and turn the 4 stars into 5.

Average customer rating:

Legend of Sleepy Hollow & Other Tales
Washington Irving
Manufacturer: Ann Arbor Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ASIN: 1587263807

The Fifth Horseman: A Sleepy Hollow Legend

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The Fifth Horseman
A Perfect Book for The Halloween Season
Dark Humor and Chills!
The Fifth Horseman
Kendals Review of Sleepy Hollow

The Fifth Horseman: A Sleepy Hollow Legend
Gregg Gonzalez
Manufacturer: Milagro Publishing Corp.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0967532515

Book Description

The Headless Horseman is back, terrorizing present day Sleepy Hollow! Has a Hessian soldier, dead for 200 years, come back to haunt the town, or is it simply an eccentric psychopath suiting up as the Hollow's most revered legend? The death toll could reach apocalyptic proportions unless the mystery of the Headless Horseman can be solved in time.

Customer Reviews:

The Fifth Horseman.......2002-11-13

Excellent book.The descriptive nature of the writing made the book come alive.The characters are all three dimensional and lead to the reader having difficulty putting the book down.The setting and the main character(the headless horseman)lend themselves to a pleasant autumn evenings reading.

A Perfect Book for The Halloween Season.......2002-10-04

Every October I look forward to reading a Halloween related book to put me in the spirit of the season. I have read my share of both good and bad, but this particular book, The Fifth Horseman, is my personal favorite. Not only does it capture the feeling of October / Halloween time, but it also is based on one of the coolest villains of all time, the Headless Horseman! The storyline is also very exciting and has some very unique twist and turns. Definitely buy this book, you won't be disappointed. It exceeded my expectations and I hope for a sequel, in the meantime, I guess I will just have to read it again!

Dark Humor and Chills!.......2002-05-25

When I first bought a copy of this book I expected it to be a horror story-which it is-but it has an added bonus...it's also very funny! Don't get me wrong now, it's a very dark kind of humor, but nothing too corny or too bloodthirsty. I'd give it a PG-13 rating in terms of adult content, although it certainly has its very weird and freaky moments. The Headless Horseman is very wicked, and the characters who try to hunt him down are a peanut gallery, ranging from wacky professors and priests to college drop-outs and trigger-happy cops. The plot is excellently twisted and then unwound at a lightening pace at the end. You'll need to catch your breath at the conclusion of this one - I felt like the Headless Horseman had just chased me down the street.

The Fifth Horseman.......2001-08-31

This book is a true thriller. I was truly consumed from beginning to end. I must say, however, it was a bit lengthy with a few typos....Otherwise some very good reading.

Kendals Review of Sleepy Hollow.......2001-03-09

The Fifth Horseman by Gregg Gonzalez keeps you guessing all he way through. All along, one can imagine how the text amazed many n the big screen, the language is so descriptive and creative. The historical refences add so much detail, and will leave you wanting to visit Sleepy Hollow to see the mentioned sites. It is pretty scary! I read it alone but it sure kept me on the edge of my seat! For my first novel it sure kept me involved from beginning to end.

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