The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

By: Washington Irving

Narrated by: Anthony Heald

Length: 1 hr and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

In the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town, New York, in a secluded glen called Sleepy Hollow, Ichabod Crane arrives to educate the children of the region. This lanky schoolmaster from Connecticut fancies the idea of marrying the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel, the 18-year-old daughter of a wealthy farmer, but there is a problem with his plan. Abraham “Brom Bones” Van Brunt, the town rowdy, has already set his heart on marrying her.

This romantic rivalry climaxes one autumn night with the appearance of the legendary Headless Horseman, allegedly the ghost of a Hessian trooper who lost his head to a cannonball during the Revolutionary War. Every night he rides through the woods to the scene of the battle in search of his head.

Since this story’s first appearance in 1820, generations of readers, young and old, have thrilled to the headless horseman galloping through the haunted woods of Sleepy Hollow. The rollicking tale of Ichabod Crane and his ill-fated courtship of Katrina Van Tassel has become a classic ghost story.

Public Domain (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“[This story’s] unprecedented success allowed Irving to devote himself to a career as a professional author.” ( Encyclopedia of Literature)

Melodic

There is a flow and word choice to the writing that is evocative and does an excellent job of setting a tone. Listening made me want to write my own ghost stories with the same level of detail that makes the world feel "real". I mean, why explain the horse's name is Gun Powder and that he has a mischievous spirit if not to make it feel like a lived in world with its own sense of reality?

Entertaining classic holds up, wonderful narration

I wanted something little and short to relax as I nodded off. While I have read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, my interior narrator pales in comparison to Anthony Heald's deft narration.

A Classic

A Great classic. Perfect for Halloween or whenever you just want a quick spooky story!

Classic American story

Washington Irving is a major American writer. Reading and hearing the original tale is a wonderful experience. The writing is superb: full of detailed descriptions, gentle humor, and sly wit. The reader brings the story to life.

Perfect Narration to a Classic Tale

There are so many adaptations to the story both animated and with actors on film, and I never realized just how much the original tale was altered in them. This is an elegantly written story. The descriptions put me right in the middle of Sleepy Hollow, and the image of Icabod Crane could not be funnier and yet, at the same time, so believable. I absolutely love this story and I'm so happy to I have finally experienced the original after all these years. Anthony Heald was perfect. He never overwhelmed the story but instead fully brought every piece of it to life. Bravo!

Of Course Five Stars

The five stars were awarded by scores over a century ago upon its first printing. It has only been met with financial success and readership enthrallment ever since.
Irving's description of the Hudson Valley area is as true today as ever - at least where unmolested pockets can still be found. The Old Dutch and the cemetary still stand overlooking the majestic Hudson.
The narration was excellent.
Shout out to Disney's animated interpretation as well.

Bucket list

never read this as a kid. terrific english accented narration, with exciting inflection! give it a read

Classic tale. Excellent narrator.

A classic tale with vivid description! The narrator was also excellent. Extremely engaging! Enjoyed it very much.

A nice short story

I must admit that it has been several decades since I last heard the story of the headless horseman and I was excited to once again hear the original tale. With all the modern tellings, it was much shorter than I remembered but nice nonetheless. The performance was perfect and the narrator could have been telling it at midnight around the camp fire. Well worth the listen.

I love a classic!

Who doesn't love a classic American novel!? The story is legendary & the narrator did a wonderful job relaying the adventure! I thoroughly enjoyed it!