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blewballoon's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Excellent prose, Washington Irving creates some really great imagery which often times felt like visual gags in writing. The exaggerated tone of the descriptions made me want to watch the animated adaptation, I could so easily picture the scene in a Looney Tunes or Donald Duck cartoon. For my attention span, these descriptions sometimes caused me to lose focus and I had to backtrack to remember the actual bones of the story.
Similarly to Dracula, this reads to me as more of a comedy than a scary story. Unlike with Dracula, the narrative voice came off as cynical and the characters are a not likable. Any adaptation that presents Ichabod as a good and sincere man is taking liberties. None of the other characters are better, they are just different caricatures.
Overall, somehow both a better and worse experience than I expected. The prose was fun to listen to on audiobook, but if it had been longer it probably would have worn out its welcome due to lack of captivating characters and plot.
Similarly to Dracula, this reads to me as more of a comedy than a scary story. Unlike with Dracula, the narrative voice came off as cynical and the characters are a not likable. Any adaptation that presents Ichabod as a good and sincere man is taking liberties. None of the other characters are better, they are just different caricatures.
Overall, somehow both a better and worse experience than I expected. The prose was fun to listen to on audiobook, but if it had been longer it probably would have worn out its welcome due to lack of captivating characters and plot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Colonisation
hjb_128's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Sexism
teatunesandtales's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Some lovely descriptions of the countryside, and some pretty intense ones of the pursuit by the headless horseman. Humorous at times, and also cringe-worthy in others as some POVs just didn't age well.
Overall, not a bad short story. But the cinematic versions of this definitely elaborate and extend a lot of creative liberties.
Overall, not a bad short story. But the cinematic versions of this definitely elaborate and extend a lot of creative liberties.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, and Classism
isirla's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.0
I was always led to believe that Ichabod Crane was such a smart, quirky yet loveable character. He's actually quite disgusting!! The way he can ride in fields and see banquets of food when looking at live animals had me thinking I should rethink my diet as a meat eater!! The way he started making plans in his mind for what his love interest would do once they were married, without any thought to her wants and needs was also pretty disgusting, especially since they weren't even courting!! He just wanted her money and privilege.
I found the story boring, disturbing (and not in a good way) and overall, very disappointing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, and Classism
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