Reviews with content warning for Racism - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

38 reviews

pacifickat's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

Very fun ghost story. I appreciated the atmospheric storytelling and descriptions. The writing has a sort of cadence to it that makes for a great audiobook listen.

"I mention this peaceful spot with all possible laud, for it is in such little retired Dutch valleys found here and there, embosomed in the great state of New York, that population, manners, and customs remain fixed, while the torrent of migration and improvement which is making such incessant changes in other parts of this restless country sweeps by them unobserved. They are like those little nooks of still water that border a rapid stream, where we may see the straw and bubble riding quietly at anchor, or slowly revolving in their mimic harbor, undisturbed by the rush of the passing current." (5:50)

"Local tales and superstitions thrive best in these sheltered, long settled retreats, but are trampled underfoot by the shifting throng that forms the population of most of our country places. Besides, there is no encouragement for ghosts in most of our villages, for they have scarcely had time to finish their first nap and turn themselves in their graves before their surviving friends have traveled away from the neighborhood, so that when they turn out at night to walk their rounds, they have no acquaintance left to call upon. This is perhaps the reason why we so seldom hear of ghosts except in our long established Dutch communities. The immediate cause however, of the prevalence of supernatural stories in these parts was doubtless owing to the vicinity of Sleepy Hollow. There was a contagion in the very air that blew from that haunted region. It breathed forth an atmosphere of dreams and fancies, infecting all the land." (53:20)

I also really liked the way the ending leaves open various interpretations depending on the inclination and assumptions of the reader.

I was surprised, though, how none of the characters were particularly likeable, and that I didn't feel particularly emotionally attached to anyone. Perhaps the foibles and flaws of each character were meant to lend some humor to the telling, a sort of comic relief taking some of the sting out of the horror and suspense.

Spooky without being terrifying, a classic for all ages.

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gl00my_gh0st's review against another edition

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2.0

I expected something else, after watching Tim Burtons adaptation, but it turned out to be a bit boring sexist story :///
It wasn't bad but i had much higher expectations.

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jade's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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sophiamoonlight's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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citrusboombox's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot

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teatunesandtales's review against another edition

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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.

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erebus53's review

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dark funny lighthearted mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This is a wittily written classic story produced with the full ugliness of barely concealed Text-To-Speech software. This classic tale is out of copyright so should be freely available on any major platform.. so I'd recommend listening to a different version!

As a product of its time, it is filled with dark humour poking fun at the moral brutality of school corporal punishment, the presumption of a man courting an heiress, and various foibles of village folk. It dallies on the cozy ambience of a harvest season fat with the feasts of fruit and fowl, bucolic rambles, and the wood chopping and fencing that fill rural village life.

Oh and ghost stories. And some sexist rubbish about flirting and being a coquette. And ooff casual racism, which isn't a big shock considering when it was written.. but worth bearing in mind.

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