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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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Violence
linnylionheart's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Death and Grief
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