This selection includes two world-famous children's tales by American author, Washington Irving, well known for his ability to bring humor to the silly vanities that characterize human nature. In the first story, Rip Van Winkle falls asleep only to wake up 20 years later, finding he has literally slept his life away. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow tells the tale of the gawky schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, and his rival Brom Bones, who each woo pretty Katrina Van Tassel until a Headless Horseman makes his ghostly ride. Washington Irving was one of America's earliest and most popular writers. Famous for his short stories, Irving was also a chronicler of the frontier, a folklorist and a noted political satirist and essayist. In The Sketch Book, of which these two selections are a part, Irving drew upon the myths and legends of local and European folklore. His original creations of characters like Ichabod Crane and Rip Van Winkle have become lasting contributions to our national literary heritage, as distinctly American as Natty Bumppo, Captain Ahab, and Huckleberry Finn.
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"These are tales I've known for years, but have never really read for myself. I've either read retellings written for children or viewed film adaptions. The originals, of course, are so much better. You have the classic plots, of course, which have captured people's imaginations for generations, and you also have Mr. Irving's rich description of the characters and the settings. These engage the adult heart and mind, as much as the simplified tales reach the inner child's sense of wonder. Once again I find myself wondering why I don't read more classic literature." — The (4 out of 5 stars)
"These are tales I've known for years, but have never really read for myself. I've either read retellings written for children or viewed film adaptions. The originals, of course, are so much better. You have the classic plots, of course, which have captured people's imaginations for generations, and you also have Mr. Irving's rich description of the characters and the settings. These engage the adult heart and mind, as much as the simplified tales reach the inner child's sense of wonder. Once again I find myself wondering why I don't read more classic literature."
" I try to read these two every year. "
" Both are slightly disturbing stories but it was by Washington Irving so what would you expect? but it was a classic and I saw the movie by Tim Burton so I read it and felt a bit "odd" afterwords, seriouly what happened to Ichabod Crane? "
" I read this when I was very young. I'm not sure how accurate my rating is when it's filtered through decades of memory. "
" These are fun stories in spite of the superstition that permeates them, especially since there is humor, at least found in the Headless Horseman, and the possibility of reality in the midst. They take place along the Hudson River. "
" We are reading this as a family for school and in preparation for up and coming Halloween. "
" I've heard the tale. I watched the cartoons. And then I read the book and frankly, I should have known what I was getting myself into. It is a classic tale with classic language that I only got through because I was reallly sick. Not that it isn't a great tale. It stays around because it has authenticity. "
" Proof that you don't need a lot of words and pages to tell a compelling story. "
" I yawned my way through it. "
" Just didn't get this one. I hope someday to read it again and discover why it's a classic. "
" Irving's 18th century habit of eschewing action or dialogue for long-winded exposition mitigates the tension of his classic ghost story, but "Rip Van Winkle" is a brilliant early example of the merits of a well-constructed and fun short story. "
" Well, that was boring. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow seems to involve more descriptions of food and countryside that scares and Rip Van Winkle seems to lack any point except that wives can be horrible. "
" This is a perfectly indelible story and still fun to read. Think of all the lessons it teaches and the wonderful character it introduced! "
" It was fun to read these at long last. You hear about these growing up, but it was lovely to read them myself. Both are very well written. They'd both be fabulous Halloween reads. "
" This was about the headless horseman and Icabhod Crane. Crane figured out how to help stop the headless horseman from terriozing the town. I would use this in a classroom to show have the students do a character preoject on their favorite character. "
" Two delightful stories from an early American writer. I've re-read several times, both for my own personal enjoyment and aloud to my children. "
" sorry but the cartoon was better. I even liked the movie even though it didn't follow the book at all. It was also hard to read. "
" Two quick books that I listened to on a trip to Wyoming. they maybe classics, but they are easily forgettable. "
" I loved the language in this book. The narrative was enjoyable and kept my interest. This was a fun and quick read. "
" What a hoot! There are so many film versions of both stories that it was a treat to read the original stories. Written about 200 years ago, there are references to places and how people lived that make it historically interesting as well. "
" I think these would be better "heard" rather then read but I did really enjoy them "
" Read it to the kids for All Hallows' Eve. Wasn't as scary as we thought it was going to be. The Rip Van Winkle story was just weird. Still fun though. "
" Spooky tale of Ichabod Crane and Brom Bones in the first tale and a twenty year nap in the second story. "
" Well, not scary - mildly spooky or strange. Typically sexist. Now that I type that, I'm not sure why I'm giving it three stars. "
" Read him. That's a command. You're getting sleepy . . . sleepy . . . you're reading . . . reading . . . "
" Being familiar with these stories I decided to read this book to get an idea of the original stories. I found them boring and uneventful. I think I will stick with the versions I am already familiar with. "
" I liked it especially Ichabod Crane! "
" Read Aloud to my girls. Legend of Sleepy Hollow; Rip Van Winkle "
" super fast read with the kids...don't think they cared for it too much..but alas a little quality reading with the kids I suppose! "
" witty and funny, had the fine description of nature and food, rather unexpected that, but very fine. "
" I think that is story was good. I lliked it because I find the main character quite funny. My favorite part was when they described him riding a horse and Mr. Weise,my teacher, drew a funny picture. I see a little bit of myself in him because I always creep myself by reading weird/scary stories "
" Really?! That's it?! So not impressed. "
" Great collection of Washington Irving's writings. I didn't realize how talented he really was until I read through this. "
" A nice, concise collection of Irving's more popular works, including: Rip Van Winkle, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and my favorite, The Devil and Tom Walker. Great classics! "
" Who knew Americans could write. I think I enjoyed the vignettes of English life the most. Some of the stories did not interest me. Even in the telling of a not so interesting story I found joy. "
Washinton Irving (1783–1859), American essayist, novelist, and historian, was born in New York to a wealthy merchant. He studied law, but because of his delicate health, his family sent him on a tour of Europe, where he collected material later used in his stories and essays. The first American author to achieve international fame, his literary career served in many ways to consolidate the cultures of the United States and Europe.
George Guidall, winner of more than eighty AudioFile Earphones Awards, has won three of the prestigious Audie Award for Excellence in Audiobook Narration. In 2014 the Audio Publishers Association presented him with the Special Achievement Award for lifetime achievement/ During his thirty-year recording career he has recorded over 1,700 audiobooks, won multiple awards, been a mentor to many narrators, and shown by example the potential of fine storytelling. His forty-year acting career includes starring roles on Broadway, an Obie Award for best performance off Broadway, and frequent television appearances.
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