by Washington Irving4 Stars
Children's Classic
Historical Fiction
Setting: Sleepy Hollow, NY
112 pages
Published 1819
Ellie's Review
To bring out the Halloween spirit (or spirits?), I read this classic American tale for the first time even though I've heard the retelling countless times and ways. This short story was a quick and entertaining read and something people should read at least once in their lives. I had never really known the truth about what happened between the Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane. (But does anyone really know?)
Book Summary
Since this story's first appearance in 1819, generations of readers, young and old, have thrilled to the Headless Horseman galloping through the haunted woods of Sleepy Hollow.
Note on Editions
While many editions of this classic tale are available, I recommend finding an illustrated copy to make reading it that much more fun! I enjoyed the illustrations of Arthur Rackham who focused on the haunting spirits that the inhabitants of Sleepy Hollow saw in everything.
So does this really differ from the story we have heard for generations? Is that why this is a must read at least once in our lives?
ReplyDeleteIt depends on what story you've heard for generations - personally I couldn't remember what happened, just that Sleepy Hollow has a Headless Horseman and something happened with a guy named Ichabod Crane.
ReplyDeleteEveryone should read it because it's a classic American short story that everyone has heard of, so we should read the original at least once. It's a quick read.
I'm glad you included information about the illustrations; I was just shopping for this book for a gift and decided to go with this edition due to the illustrations!
ReplyDelete