The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
Audible Description:
Tom Mison, star of the hit Fox seriesSleepy Hollow, narrates the classic Washington Irving short story.
In the secluded Dutch territory of Sleepy Hollow, nebbish schoolmaster Ichabod Crane competes with the town hero for the hand of Katrina Van Tassel, the 18-year-old daughter and sole child of a wealthy farmer. As Crane leaves a party at the Van Tassel’s farm one autumn evening, he is pursued by the Headless Horseman, an apparition said to be the ghost of a Hessian trooper snuffed out by a stray cannonball during the Revolutionary War.
My Thoughts: I really like The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It’s right up there with my Alice in Wonderland problem. Something was missing from the other versions I’ve listened to but I didn’t know what until I listened to this one.
When I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow I always feel that the narrator of the story is in love with the area of Sleepy Hollow. Washington Irving brings the area to life with his descriptions. The descriptions are a necessary part of this story. You need to feel the area and know the people who populate it to have a good understanding of situation Ichibod is in. Usually when I listen to people narrate this story all I hear most of the time is a condescending attitude and a general lack of respect for the story. Narrators tend to treat the set up of this story like it’s something to rush through so they can get to the good part where their talent won’t be wasted. That’s why I’ve decided that this version is my favorite. It isn’t rushed and there is the added bonus that Tom Mison sounds like he enjoyed preforming it.
How many actors have narrated The Legend of Sleepy Hollow while they played Ichabod Crane on television? That must be a pretty exclusive club. Tom Mison made me love an audio version of The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow. I never thought I would see the day. He really does the story justice. I may have to start rooting for him on Sleepy Hollow instead of the Headless Horseman.
I also realized that I have enjoyed many variations of this story over the years.
* I think I was in second grade when I saw the Disney version for the first time. I was mesmerized by lanky Ichabod and that crazy horse.
* I still love Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow. Michael Gambon is fantastic and it’s the only movie where I’ve enjoyed Johnny Depp.
* I loved season one of Sleepy Hollow and am looking forward to season two. (Sept 22nd)
* I read The Hollow by Jessica Verday last year and I really enjoyed it. You can read my reviewhere.
The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow has fascinated people since it was first published in 1820. Washington Irving wrote it while he was living in England. Perhaps that’s why he took such care in describing Tarrytown. Maybe he was a bit homesick. Whatever the reason it’s a wonderful story and you can get it free from Audible. What could be better than that?
*Background Image: Field In Autumn by ShadowRave from freeimages.com
THE MODEST VERGE 