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69th out of 271 books
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1,241 voters
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
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 H...more
Paperback, 108 pages
Published
March 1st 2004
by Wildside Press
(first published 1820)
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Reading this classic short story by Washington Irvin really, truly 'cleansed the palate', as some book reviewers would put it. After reading mainly contemporary fiction, it was a breath of fresh air to read a classic piece of literature.
Some years ago, I saw the film adaptation of this book by Tim Burton, with Johnny Depp (who else? Say “Tim Burton” and the next name should be “Johnny Depp”) in the lead role of Ichabod Crane. Although the writers of the movie took certain liberties with respect...more
Some years ago, I saw the film adaptation of this book by Tim Burton, with Johnny Depp (who else? Say “Tim Burton” and the next name should be “Johnny Depp”) in the lead role of Ichabod Crane. Although the writers of the movie took certain liberties with respect...more
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I really enjoyed this book. After having just watched the Johny Depp movie version, I was surprised to find the book had almost nothing in common.
I read it mostly at night and I enjoyed the spooky moments (though I admit my idea of spooky is pretty low on the scale for some). Ichabod is mildly detestable as a character; he seems like he has all the foundational qualities to make a wonderful villain, were this another story. I laughed at his envisioning the Van Tassel's animals as sumptuously co...more
I read it mostly at night and I enjoyed the spooky moments (though I admit my idea of spooky is pretty low on the scale for some). Ichabod is mildly detestable as a character; he seems like he has all the foundational qualities to make a wonderful villain, were this another story. I laughed at his envisioning the Van Tassel's animals as sumptuously co...more
8 likes · like · see review
2.5
My first exposure to the story was the Disney cartoon version, which I always enjoyed as a kid.
And then there was Burton's version, which I knew differed from the story, but I didn't really know how or to what extent, since I'd never read the story.
And so when I came across it while browsing free downloads from amazon, I decided to get it.
It was a quick read, being so short, but there were also a few places where I skimmed, as the author went into great detail about the types of trees he was...more
My first exposure to the story was the Disney cartoon version, which I always enjoyed as a kid.
And then there was Burton's version, which I knew differed from the story, but I didn't really know how or to what extent, since I'd never read the story.
And so when I came across it while browsing free downloads from amazon, I decided to get it.
It was a quick read, being so short, but there were also a few places where I skimmed, as the author went into great detail about the types of trees he was...more
5 likes · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Nov 04, 2007
Barbara
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone
Shelves:
childrensbookclubreads
I thought this would be a great addition for the Children's Book Club to read, if they wanted. It seemed an appropriate choice for the October meeting along with the Hugo Cabret book.
I'll be re-reading it and will hopefully apply some of the missing portion of my memory to it. I love the story but this time I plan to enjoy the Arthur Rackham illustrations.
This is still such a great classic. The kids in the book club who read it all loved it. I'm glad. It's a really terrific read with a wonderful...more
I'll be re-reading it and will hopefully apply some of the missing portion of my memory to it. I love the story but this time I plan to enjoy the Arthur Rackham illustrations.
This is still such a great classic. The kids in the book club who read it all loved it. I'm glad. It's a really terrific read with a wonderful...more
Apr 12, 2009
Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
classic-horror,
short-story
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
4 likes · like · see review
May 29, 2011
Ronyell
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Washington Irving fans!!
Illustrated by Robert Van Nutt
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is another fantastic story from Rabbit Ears’ “Storybook Classic” series. Everyone knows the famous story of Icabod Crane and his encounter with the Headless Horseman. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is one of the greatest stories ever created by Washington Irving and with Glenn Close’s haunting narration along with Tim Story’s eerie music and Robert Van Nutt’s beautiful yet haunting illustrations makes this one classic that no one will e...more
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is another fantastic story from Rabbit Ears’ “Storybook Classic” series. Everyone knows the famous story of Icabod Crane and his encounter with the Headless Horseman. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is one of the greatest stories ever created by Washington Irving and with Glenn Close’s haunting narration along with Tim Story’s eerie music and Robert Van Nutt’s beautiful yet haunting illustrations makes this one classic that no one will e...more
Jan 08, 2010
pinknantucket
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ms-readathon-2003
In case you were wondering, this book bears very little resemblance to the recent movie of the same name – there is a headless horseman in the book, and many of the characters’ names are the same, but that’s about it. There are no wicked stepmothers, no crazy witches, no secret Wills, no bizarre dreams about long-dead parents, no magical symbols drawn on the floor, no autopsies and not much of a love story. Also, the hero isn’t anywhere as good-looking as Johnny Depp, but then dentistry wasn’t a...more
Washington Irving painted beautifully detailed scenes of rural New England. He also had a healthy sense of humor and wit. This story read like it was being narrated by the fireside in a tavern or pub on a blustery autumn evening.
I read the Project Gutenberg ebook found here: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/41
I read the Project Gutenberg ebook found here: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/41
I audio-ed the BBC version of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving in the car. To me, this is the perfect way to read Sleepy Hollow, especially coming into it from reading nothing but YA. Now don't get me wrong, YA is awesome, but it is a tough transition to make from YA to the classics.
Read the rest of my review here
Read the rest of my review here
I last read this as required reading in middle school. I have to say that I now have a much greater appreciation for the way the author used words to paint verbal pictures of the countryside and especially of the characters. At the time, the interesting story was the scarecrow image of Ichabod that Irving created - and The Headless Horseman!
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I HATE this book with a burning passion. Mostly because of the memories of a 6th grade me, sitting down in class listening to the agonizing deep voice of the creepy narrator as he read a short story that is probably one of the stupidest short stories I've ever heard. Honestly. Some people will argue that it's a "classic." Well I say that JUST BECAUSE ITS DATED DOES NOT MAKE IT A CLASSIC. Well, to some extent it does, but you know.. I think I hated this story so much because if someone hands me a...more
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If I had read this at any other time of the year, I would have classified it as one of those stories, with too many words... Not that it's a long story - it's rather short - but it's long on detail. I'm impatient like that. But something about Autumn turns me a little more quixotic, a little more romantic, a little more responsive to descriptive language. Indeed, I was thankful that I was reading it on my phone with the Kindle app, so I could click on one of the many $10 words, & easily view...more
"Watch your heads." - Lady Van Tassel, Sleepy Hollow (1999 film)
Ichabod Crane, a schoolmaster from Connecticut, "tarries" in Sleepy Hollow to teach the children of the secluded glen. he falls in love with Katrina Van Tassel and competes with Abraham "Brom Bones" Van Brunt for her hand in marriage.
this short story is part of Washington Irving's collection The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. it also includes his other famous work Rip Van Winkle.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is such a delight t...more
Ichabod Crane, a schoolmaster from Connecticut, "tarries" in Sleepy Hollow to teach the children of the secluded glen. he falls in love with Katrina Van Tassel and competes with Abraham "Brom Bones" Van Brunt for her hand in marriage.
this short story is part of Washington Irving's collection The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. it also includes his other famous work Rip Van Winkle.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is such a delight t...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Jul 28, 2012
Zeljka
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adapted-to-screen,
children-and-ya,
classics,
horror-and-fantasy,
humor,
short-stories,
b2m-club
I admit when I picked this story, I had no idea that it would be so entertaining. The first time I heard about it was on the screen watching Disney's The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949). Few years later in cinema I came across Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow (1999). Both versions were awesome, but after seeing the latter one, I was really confused because it presented the plot completely different from Disney's one. It took some efforts, but I found also Jeff Goldblum's The Legend of Sleepy...more
I'm not sure what I was expecting but I was a bit disappointed. Although I don't remember much of the TV versions of this book (probably because the thought of a headless man scares the heck out of me!), I thought it'd be more exciting. Still, excellent writing of its time and the book wasn't scary ... which is a plus for me! ~Hmmm, so what did happen to Ichabod Crane? I think he was like Zorro in training... hiding out until he gets the knack for becoming the next headless horseman. ~BTW, I hav...more
This is great. If you are the kind of person that reads Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" every Christmas then you should probably read Washington Irving’s "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" at Halloween. I think I will anyway. I was inspired to read it because of Disney’s fun cartoon of the tale. One of the things I liked about the Disney version was the beautiful wording throughout the film. Well I found all my favorite phrases in the book itself. Disney’s version is pretty accurate I am pleased...more
I chose to read this in order to fill a line in a challenge in which I am participating: "Something with a Halloween reference in the Title or Theme." Well, scary stories are the essence of Halloween. There's a Goodreads list of the best reads for Halloween, and I wasn't in the mood for It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.
Oct 17, 2011
Lisa
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
should-have-read-bookclub,
classics
This book does not take long to read. It is the story of schoolteacher Icabod Crane and his fateful run in with the specter called the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. Despite being small, the book is surprisingly descriptive and enjoyable to read. The image of Crane riding his horse made me laugh and the descriptions of food at the banquet made my mouth water. If you want to read a short, quick story for Halloween, I would recommend this one.
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As many others, I had seen the movie, which I greatly enjoyed, before reading the book; and, even though the two have almost nothing in common, I immensely liked the book too. In so few pages Irving succeeds in creating a really well written, spooky atmosphere (and I don't even like descriptions that much), a highly entertaining story and interesting characters: both Ichabod Crane and Brom Bones are descripted in short but very evocative passages, in a completely satisfying way, considering the...more
I'm sentimental about this book. It was the first "adult" work that I made a stab at (when I was ten). And while most all it was beyond my comprehension, I remember reading it in the cab of my father's pickup truck in the parking lot of Orthopaedic Hospital after having been told by my doctors that the cyst in my leg had responded to treatment.
Maybe my life wouldn't turn out like Ichabod's after all?
Maybe my life wouldn't turn out like Ichabod's after all?
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This short story has the most well-known and stereotypical villain that it is more amusing than scary. Irving skillfully makes fun of how men fall for women and it leads to their undoing, and how easy it is to let one's imagination get the best of one when going home on a scary, deserted, dark road. It's a classic tale, best told by firelight and a friendly hand to sneak up behind you.
Probably one of the most boring books I've ever read. Written in the 3rd person and speaking to the reader directly already leaves you feeling quite distanced from the story. But over-embellishing unimportant details, leaving out important scenes, and generally not writing about much that was very interesting at all left me wondering how this ever made it to classic status. I understand it was written a long time ago. "The style of writing was different then", you could reason. Still, I've read...more
The classic is an enjoyable, but dated tale of a cross between an attempt at mystery and horror. However, who can resist reading about the fictitious Ichabod Crane, Katrina, Brom, and of course the Headless Horseman.
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Excellent short story. Surprised by the ending. Not like the movie, so be forewarned. Now I want to read more of Irving's stuff.
I had heard the story before but did not plan on reading it. I saw it at the library and thought, what the heck. It was a cute little book, and only 95 pages. A good, classic read.
A very witty story and a delightful read. If you enjoy stories written in the style of Dickens, then Irving is right up your alley. One of the great American folk writers.
I love this story and but I did not enjoy reading it at all. This seems to be a trend with me and 19th century American Literature... I guess I don't quite appreciate it!
1 like · like · see review
More for older children or adults. The text is hard to understand at times but the story is a good spooky one for Halloween. (Classic version not children's Scholastic version)
1 like · like · see review
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Books2Movies Club: March 2012 - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow | 6 | 71 | Nov 12, 2012 11:19pm |
Washington Irving was an American author, essayist, biographer and historian of the early 19th century. He was best known for his short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle", both of which appear in his book The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His historical works include biographies of George Washington, Oliver Goldsmith and Muhammad, and several histories of 15th-centu...more
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