The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Not sure why I wanted so long to read but it was satisfyingly creepy!

Trash

So dull

Interesting how little of this story actually revolves around the key scene you remember from the Disney cartoon.

Way different from the movie

This was a fun little story, but not what I expected given all the adaptations I've seen over the years. It was less spooky and more descriptive of other elements (particularly nature and food). There was a distinct atmosphere that I enjoyed, and the writing is very digestible. But man, Ichabod Crane is kind of a douche.

Short easy read. Beautifully written but very slow paced and dull. A wonderful Halloween Classic.

Meh

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is such an iconic piece of literature, I was really surprised to recall that I hadn't read the actual story! It's talked about so much, and everyone knows about the Headless Horseman. Since it's almost Halloween, it seemed like the perfect time to go through some classics that have escaped me.

Obviously, this is an older work, and as such the style is very different from what modern readers now expect. I was prepared for that (and for the derogatory terms used). However, I was still expecting a creepy, hair-raising tale...and honestly, was a bit disappointed. The lead up was great! Ichabod is SO ripe to be scared out of his wits, whether by normal or supernatural means...but nothing really happens. It seems that nothing too horrible went on, that maybe it was after all just a joke. The best part of course is the slight feeling of “what if...” we are left with, and the locale that Irving has built up. His descriptions of the place, the stories of hauntings, and the general feelings of creepiness for the place that he gives us are worth far more than the actual main incident (which is astonishingly short, even given the short story form). Yawn.

3/5 stars. It was okay, but I was expecting better. Was this really THAT creepy when it was first published? I wonder.

Foodie jerk schoolteacher gets run out of town by a guy who throws a pumpkin at him. Not great.

Stick with the Disney animated version.

I have never read the story or seen any of the film adaptations. I thought it fitting, however, to finally read before heading to Sleepy Hollow to see a live production of the short story. Irving's description of the place is spot on – Sleepy Hollow certainly hasn't lost its beauty and charm since the story was published almost 200 years ago. The ending made me chuckle.

When I was a child I saw an animated film of “Sleepy Hollow” and as an adult I saw the movie version starring Johnny Depp.
This is my first time reading the book and I loved it. It was a short read, spooky in places and very athmospheric.