From the Bookshelf of Drop Everything And Read…

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Washington Irving

Start date: June 1, 2017

Finish date: June 30, 2017

Discussion: Read

Why we're reading this: It won the BOTM Poll.
[close] It won the BOTM Poll.

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 182 topics — 2,008 comments total

Read

This topic has been closed to new comments.

* Books Read
By Hallie , I'm all about the books · 63 posts · 754 views

last updated Mar 11, 2019 11:49PM

* Bookshelf
By Hallie , I'm all about the books · 28 posts · 39 views

last updated Dec 02, 2018 07:29AM

showing 2 of 2 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Sep 24, 2016 Reading is my Escape rated it it was ok

Shelves: read-2016, classic, fright, halloween-bingo-2015

I listened to this story. I've seen and heard things related to this story but I never actually read the original. This is narrated by Tom Mison, the star of the Sleepy Hollow tv show (which I love). His voice is perfect and I found myself picturing his tv character at times while listening.

This was a bit funny and not very spooky, but I am glad I can finally check this off the list. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Nov 09, 2018 Billy Buttons rated it really liked it · review of another edition

THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS
29th April 2018
TITLE: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
AUTHOR: Washington Irving. Abridged by Fiza Pathan and Michaelangelo Zane. Illustrated by Farzana Cooper
Star Rating: 4

‘A well-pruned, wonderfully illustrated abridgment. A gripping retelling of the classic.’ The Wishing Shelf

REVIEW
Firstly, I must tell you, I do enjoy the classics. For me, there is little to compare with the joys of Dickens or Joyce; and I’m most happy settling down with a copy of Pride and Prejudice th THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS
29th April 2018
TITLE: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
AUTHOR: Washington Irving. Abridged by Fiza Pathan and Michaelangelo Zane. Illustrated by Farzana Cooper
Star Rating: 4

‘A well-pruned, wonderfully illustrated abridgment. A gripping retelling of the classic.’ The Wishing Shelf

REVIEW
Firstly, I must tell you, I do enjoy the classics. For me, there is little to compare with the joys of Dickens or Joyce; and I’m most happy settling down with a copy of Pride and Prejudice than, say, The De Vinci Code. So, I happily undertook a newly abridged copy of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.
This book, it seems, is very much for children between the age of 8 and 12. As such, the abridging authors have worked hard to simplify the language; and, I’m happy to report, they have worked wonders. Written in 1820 and at just under 12,000, the original short story is, ‘wordy’ – and that is putting it mildly. For example, ‘Be that as it may, I do not vouch for the fact, but merely advert to it, for the sake of being precise and authentic.’ A story written in this manner is a daunting prospect for any young reader; and, no doubt, for the poor teacher trying to instigate any sort of enthusiasm in the classroom. But, with a gold-tipped pen, Pathan and Zane have pruned, nipped and manipulated the text in such a way as to open it up to children.
Now, there’s always the risk of killing the story if the abridging author cuts too deeply. But, happily, this is not a problem here. Yes, many of the rambling paragraphs have been altered and cut, but the tormenting plot of ghostly goings-on in Tarry Town is still very much there to be enjoyed.
If I was to suggest anything to the two authors, it might be that they be very daring, and introduce speech into the story. Having worked with children and books all of my life, I have discovered that the ‘chattering’ of a character always seems to help the unwilling reader to access the text. Of course, by adding speech, this would be altering the text to a very large degree. However, I think it might be worth it. Although this abridged text is considerably more accessible to children than the original, the lack of any speech between the characters will still be a huge hurdle that many reluctant readers will not be capable of overcoming.
Finally, I must discuss the illustrations. They are, in every way, wonderful. They reminded me of the old wood cuttings that can still be seen in books dating as far back as the 1600s. There is so much ‘happening’ in the drawings that I was very much enthralled by them; in every way, they add considerably to the book. In fact, I would go as far as to say, it is the illustrations that make this book stand out from other books of this nature. Children will undoubtedly love them.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 29, 2018 Lorraine rated it really liked it

Shelves: short-stories, classic

A literary classic but a totally different experience from watching the modern day movie. I do believe for the first time, I enjoy the movie presentation more then the book....did I really say that!!!! :o

1 like · Like · see review