Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Washington Irving (Author), William L. Hedges (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: October 1, 1999

Originally entitled, "The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.", this collection of essays, sketches, and tales established Washington's reputation as America's foremost professional author. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle" are classics of American fiction and display Irving's ability to depict American landscapes and culture. This volume also contains a number of gently ironic pieces about life in England that reflect the author's interest in the traditions of the Old World and his longings for his home in the New.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Washington Irving (1783-1859), America's first successful professional writer, was born and raised in New York City. He also spent time in London and served as a diplomatic attache in Spain. He wrote several novels and a monumental 5 volume biography of George Washington. William L. Hedges teaches English and history at Goucher College, in America, where he chairs a programme in American Studies. He has written a book on Irving.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014043769X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140437690
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.7 x 7.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for It's Time, Overwritten By Today's Standards, January 8, 2001

By 

Wayne A. Smith (Newark, DE) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

I know kicking Washington Irving is a little unfair since he wrote when the standards for popular fiction were much different than they are today.

The "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is an interesting tale, full of notable and interesting characters. Irving is very good at description and Ichabod Crane, his future (hopefully) father in law, his intended and his competitor for the young lady's attentions are all well sketched.

This book is very floridly written. Long paragraphs are given over to minute descriptions that just don't appear in today's fiction. To those nurtured on 20th Century prose, the contrast makes Irving's stories seem turgid and very slow moving. You can recognize Irving's talent with words and long sentences in the writing -- unfortunately those very talents interfere with the pace and presentation of the underlying story.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Service and Products!, June 3, 2011

By 

Jennifer Hutchinson - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

I ordered "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories" before my first day of class because I wanted to make sure I got my books on time, and I HATE using campus bookstores. I will not go on my tirade of campus bookstores now, but they are a capitalist trap. On the first day of class, the professor mentioned that the official title is "The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent." and I looked to see if this title was anywhere on the book's amazon page. When I did not see that title, I was worried, but I figured I could just return it if it was not the correct book. I assure you, this is the right book with the exact same page numbers as the edition the professor is using! I paid the same price for a new book that the campus bookstore charges for a used book. The book is in pristine condition. When satisfactory Kindle editions cannot be found, it is nice to know that I can still get a hardcopy in perfect condition for less money. I love amazon!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Two classic stories, many non-classic sketches, March 4, 2011

By 

Paul Haspel (State College, PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Washington Irving's "Sketch Book" is framed by two tales so resonant that it's forgivable if the sketches in between don't quite have the same power. Near the beginning is "Rip Van Winkle," the immortal tale of a man who sleeps through the American Revolution. Near the end is "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," an equally ageless tale of a feckless schoolmaster who is undone by his fears of a legendary headless horseman. In between, however, are a long series of sketches that don't hold up as well now as they may have in 1819. Writing from behind the persona of "Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.," Irving indulges in a great many not-terribly-profound meditations on life, love, and mortality. Still, attention must be paid to the fact that Washington Irving was the first American author to make a living by writing alone. Accordingly, he stands at the beginnings of a great literary tradition.