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10.08.2012

A Review: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving



Another RIP VII selection down! Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was very different than I had imagined. While I didn't think it was going to much like the movie, I didn't think it would be so completely different from the adaptation. A story I watched before reading, I can safely say (and still maintain my credibility) that watching the movie is really all you ever need to do in this case.

Ichabod Crane is a poor school teacher living out of a suitcase in the homes (or barns) of his pupils' parents. Fervent about his career, and certainly about tales of the supernatural, Ichabod lives a seemingly content life. When the hand of a local lady, who's just reached the ripe age of 18 and is as "plump as a partridge" (oh yeah), is in need of a husband, Ichabod jumps at the chance to woo her. There's also a pesky headless horseman to contend with and so goes the story.

Ichabod's physical appearance is fun to think about. The sing-songy style that Irving weaves just makes me think he's a little silly looking, with long legs and arms that appear to defy the presence of bones and joints and things that make one human, bounding along. Perhaps a goofy grin with gem-like eyes and a droopy costume that's dirty from all the barn living. His lady friend, Katrina Van Tassel, is a certified knockout with boundless hips and a bust to match. Add hair the color of milk, or honey, or a little of both and suddenly you've got Marilyn Monroe+, but maybe a little more homely. We know what Irving was after... The passage is oozing with sexuality in the best way. We get it. This is Ichabod's chance for a life of love and abundance (in more ways than one).

But all wouldn't be right in the world if Ichabod didn't have some stiff competition. His rival, Abraham "Brom Bones" van Brunt, just proves that fratitudes have always existed. Ok, I know, I'm relying on stereotypes here, but it's completely appropriate. Some things never change. The guy's got guns and I don't mean the type that you purchase with appropriate identification. No, I'm talking big, muscly arms and a bad boy reputation to match. He should be wearing a ripped, black tank with long, healthy locks. That's the caricature I created in my head anyway.

Note: I'll give it to Irving, for a reader that doesn't get lost in the language often, he had me conjuring up so many different things.

To avoid spoilers to those that will be reading this title in the future, I'll just say that the conclusion was possibly the most disappointing ending I've ever read in my entire life. Ok, maybe that's an overstatement because I wasn't too invested in the story, but he could have created a million other endings that would have been infinitely better than what was published.

It has elements of the supernatural that probably would have been great as stand alone stories, perfect for the approaching holiday, but the short story on the whole was more silly than spooky.

RIP VII: 3 of 7 completed. 
Classics Challenge: 2 of 50 completed.

12 comments:

  1. "The guy's got guns and I don't mean the type that you purchase with appropriate identification. No, I'm talking big, muscly arms and a bad boy reputation to match." Indeed.

    "a goofy grin with gem-like eyes" Exactly.

    "a certified knockout" Bump.

    I was waiting for "with two mischievous and sometimes cute little brats". But maybe that was out of context.

    The best review ever.

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  2. Beth, I have been trying to get through reading this one for a few days now. I just found it to be too wordy. I feel like Irving could have been more concise and still gotten his points across. I'm not sure if I want to finish it now, after reading what a disappointing ending it has. What a bummer. Maybe I'll just watch the movie again instead :)

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    1. Nadia,
      I had the same issue when I started it but made myself push through since it was so short. I don't want this review to prevent you from finishing because you might really like it! The movie is amazing! Pretty impressive that they were able to create what they did with what they had. I actually did enjoy the story just because it was so much fun to write this review.

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    2. Okay, so I just finished it over lunch and I have to say, I did not expect that ending at all. Definitely wound up liking it a bit more than I had thought, but still prefer the film. And, I know what you mean - how did they make such a great film based on that story? Talk about artistic license at its best :)

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    3. Nadia,
      I'm glad you decided to finish and that you liked it!!! The film is SO much better. Yeah, they let their imagination fly. The ending was interesting and after reading more reviews I was able to accept it.

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  3. That's Gothic done right. Very important story, historically speaking in regards to how Gothic branched out. It was the "original genre" if you want and as Poe branched out to dark crime fiction, Irving went straight to supernatural and therefore can be seen as an ancestor to horror fiction.

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    Replies
    1. Ben,
      Haha. Ok, so I should have mentioned how reading this particular story made me realize how young the United States is. Really young. It just was so different from other literature of the time in other parts of the world. It was much more jolly and the language seemed to stand out as if not sure of itself quite yet. I didn't realize it was the beginning of horror fiction. It's certainly come along way!

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  4. Ha I LOVE your description of Brom Bones. I can't remember the conclusion of this story although I read it at one point, but now I am curious as to what it was.

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    1. Lorren,
      Thanks! I was going for silly because that's really what I took from the book! Yeah, it wasn't too spooky and that's a real shame!

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  5. I've never felt an urge to read this book even though I love gothic fiction and I still don't think it will suit me. The more silly than spooky thing puts me off. Although I do want to read it to see just how disappointing the conclusion is....

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    Replies
    1. Sam,
      Yeah, I honestly just read it because I'd seen the movie and a million times and figured why not! It's actually really funny and I'm glad I read it even though I only gave it 2 stars on Goodreads.

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