Questions About The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

by Washington Irving

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Answered Questions (6)

What made you decide to write this book?

Arlissa Vaughn

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

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Besides the very well known stories of Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which of the stories in this collection are the best? Any favorites?

A.E. Chandler “The Spectre Bridegroom,” “The Adventure of the German Student,” “The Devil and Tom Walker,” and “The Adventure of My Aunt” are the better structured …more“The Spectre Bridegroom,” “The Adventure of the German Student,” “The Devil and Tom Walker,” and “The Adventure of My Aunt” are the better structured and paced stories in this collection.(less)

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Is there an "un-abridged" edition of this book? (I understand some editions were abridged.)

Johnny Regrettably, for an out-of-copyright book with nearly 800 editions, that's going to be very hard to find out without a copy right in front of you. I'm…moreRegrettably, for an out-of-copyright book with nearly 800 editions, that's going to be very hard to find out without a copy right in front of you. I'm sure that there are some illustrated editions which indeed are abbreviated/abridged/"modernized" and depart from the original.

That said, if you're looking for a text-only version and don't have any specific edition in mind, I'd first check your local library since they are likely to have more than one edition for you to peruse at your own leisure for free. Heck, check 'em all out and just return whatever doesn't suit you. If that sounds like a hassle (it's probably less than you'd imagine), I'd just read the edition at the American Literature site. They have the story for free and most of their editions are from around 1900 to avoid copyright issues, which I imagine in this case would be to your benefit.

Of course, this question is over 4 years old so I doubt it interests you, but since it's still up and unanswered I hope somebody might benefit from the info...(less)

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would you say this book is gruesome, gory or gritty?

Quinley (Phoenix_Bluefeather) The Headless Horseman only appears at the end when Ichabod is riding home. And if there is any gore we don't see it, since Ichabod merely vanishes and…moreThe Headless Horseman only appears at the end when Ichabod is riding home. And if there is any gore we don't see it, since Ichabod merely vanishes and the only thing left behind is his hat and shards of a pumpkin presumably left behind by the Headless Horseman. The gore or gruesomeness is really up to the reader's imagination at this is a book set in the gothic genre and what the Headless Horseman (if it is indeed that) actually does to Ichabod is up for the reader to decide. Though, what it does have his an eerie atmosphere, as it describes the haunted areas of the hollow.
As well as a slightly satirical subplot about Ichabod trying to woo Katrina Van Tassel, where the narrator constantly insults him.
So, if you like ghost stories like this you will like this book. (less)

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Is this book appropriate for children ages 8-10?

Aly yes. it is perfect for that age.

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