REVIEW: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories (Washington Irving)

Book: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories

Author: Washington Irving

Premise: This collection of inspired essays, stories and sketches established Washington Irving's reputation as one of America's foremost authors. This anthology contains 35 atmospheric and lyrical pieces from one of America's most distinctive literary voices.

This was an interesting collection of essays and stories. As usual, there were some I really liked, and some I found dull. I loved his descriptions of England. He's very good at setting a scene and painting a clear picture. The quaint countryside is captured beautifully and I found some bits relatable 200 years later!

I was most surprised by his two essays about Native Americans. I was nervous starting them and prepared to skip them if I found them offensive. I was pleasantly surprised. In those essays, Irving calls out the wrongs done by white people to Native American. He challenges the negative stereotypes that other writers have perpetuated. He retells stories of tribes and chief that I found really interesting. These were my favourite pieces. 

On the title tale, I think I built it up too much so that it didn't live up to expectations. Personally, I enjoyed The Spectre Bridegroom much more. Overall, a mixed bag.