The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving is the classic Halloween story. It appears to be a ghost story, but is it?
It was published in 1819 and has some classic features of later horror stories and contemporary Gothic tropes.
In summary, a hapless, awkward, greedy, and self-opinionated schoolmaster fancies he has a chance with the coquettish 18-year-old daughter of a local landowner. He wants to marry her as much for the monetary rewards and food as for her own charms.
But this Ichabod Crane had to contend with a headless horseman in this earliest of spooky tales.
It's a book in itself, albeit a short one, and the tale is very well written by author Washington Irving, who injects wry humor and who clearly was a great observer of human character and failings.
It was made into a scary movie by Tim Burton
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[@shroomyk]

Yes! This is my favorite "ghost" story ever! The atmosphere, the humor, the imagery is all so delicious, like a pumpkin pie.

[@FarmersAreDummies]

Same here.

[@user-nb3bh9uh7v]

agred h

[@scathatch]

I support your right to have a broad interpretation of the 'ghost' story. Classic stories are always worthwhile.

[@ellenkostro2727]

Wonderful reading. I've been to Tarrytown I have family buried in Sleepy Hallow Cemetery. Washington Irving is buried there too. The Cemetery has a lovely view out over the Hudson Valley and it's just as he describes with a slite mist which hugs the ground (just as you would expect). My grandfather is buried in a section called Lonely Valley.

[@ClassicGhost]

It is amazing that Tarry Town and Sleepy Hollow are actual real places! And your family is from there. Amazing!

[@mariameere5807]

This was the very first horror story I have ever seen. Christina Ricci was so beautiful in it and it was very atmospheric! After that I thought horror movie’s aren’t that scary but my God I was wrong and when living alone in quiet a big house I was renting in Greenwich I decided to watch the Blair Witch 🧙‍♀️ project…. Alone…. I had to sleep with all the lights on in the whole place and put on the news to snap me out of it. I rang my brothers in Ireland where they were still living and spent ages making small chat! Lol I was scared shitless because of it being a true story! Anyway I am glad I missed this because I have been falling asleep over and over again and just woke up in the middle of the night! Actually I will re-listen to the last chapter of your book first as I have a feeling I may have fallen asleep before the last chapter but I have a playlist dedicated to this channel now! it’s not just me among my friends that are becoming obsessed!✨🧚‍♀️✨

[@danielrestione1355]

You’ve made me go back and read more Irving and his life. Fantastic descriptions and you read them wonderfully, like you are tasting the words.

[@user-nb3bh9uh7v]

wow

[@profsalam524]

I grew up in NYC and still live in the region, with a Dutch colonial history. Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved this story and Washington Irving. Next time you’re in my part of the world, you can visit Washington Irving’s home, Sunnyside, which you can get to easily from NYC.

[@ClassicGhost]

I just went on google earth and looked it up

[@anthonyarcanumsanctumregnu9551]

Thanks so much for this I'll be listening tomorrow

[@jollymonger1021]

The best reading of this classic!

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank you 😊

[@inspectorvj9233]

How fantastic this narration was ! Bravo, and thank you, Mr. Walker… you truly brought Mr. Irving’s beautiful words to life.

[@paulbooth3024]

And absolutely classic story My favourite ghost story

[@lesleykaygosson315]

Absolutely Fantastic. You have the best voice for a narrator. I have never been disappointed by anything you have ever read. Especially when you read your own stories. I live in Salem, Oregon USA 🇺🇸 I never tire of listening to a British Accent. Your accent is captivating, mesmerizing and beautifully charming. ❤️

[@ClassicGhost]

Well you have plenty of hours of me babbling on now :)

[@kwaffen9070]

Spectacular

[@scathatch]

I've never come across the original version of the 'Legend of Sleepy Hollow'. How luxurious is the long, drawn out characterisation of the protagonists. The slow evolution of the story so perfectly in resonance with the 'sleepy hollow' quality of the region and its inhabitants. Beautifully read. Thank you so much.

[@ClassicGhost]

It was a revelation to me too as I'd never read it and was very pleasantly surprised to see what a good story it was

[@drbqqq1433]

I like the Walt Disney original best but this variation is good too, I really like how he develops some of the characters beyond Disney's original portrayal but still remaining loyal to the original tone and atmosphere.

[@emilyharms456]

​@@drbqqq1433This is the original which he's reading. Disney isn't the original.

[@teresaames7902]

@@emilyharms456some things just don’t red to be said!

[@SaintPatrick1970]

I requested this story over a year ago. Thanks Tony. I thought you may have forgotten 👍

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks for requesting it. Better late than never :)

[@violetfemme411]

Beautiful! Hypnotic and melodic 💜

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank you so much! Sleepy sleepy

[@jessicajackson8064]

Great story, well read. I wouldn't worry about whether there is a 'real' ghost, because there still might be one.

[@TheMrCougarful]

Great reading of a great story. Thank you.

[@faerynfern]

I love your channel so much and I’ve spent countless hours listening to all your wonderfully narrated stories, thank you

[@ClassicGhost]

KZbin told me i had 400+ videos up. sone are episodes of longer stories but I was astounded it was so many

[@jamesmartin8385]

Just came across this after learning about Johnny Depp adopting the horse ‘ Golden Eye ‘ from the movie that was scheduled to be euthanized after filming was complete. Liked, subbed.👍

[@robertingham6123]

Great story great narration thank you 👍

[@jessecolunga3029]

I heard plenty of variations of the story from Walt Disney to narrations from others but I never heard the whole story I appreciate you doing what you do keep the stories real thank you

[@wynflaeth]

Love the story! Well enjoy listening to this later on tonight! Thank you for posting.

[@Story-Voracious66]

Thanks Tony, Because of the Johnny Depp movie I have always discounted this story. Now you have delivered the real thing, and as usual it's detail, & subtlety shine above that of the L.C.D screen. 📚/📺

[@margarethooten3007]

You didn't like Johnny Depp's version of this classic tale?

[@annabellreads]

A favorite of mine, thank you for a lovely narration as always. Earlier folk horror is so fascinating to unpack, because it taps into the then-current culture. You can really fall down a rabbit hole with the history on this one especially. The context of the modern always gives me a laugh though, because the distance from old faraway pastoral Tarrytown to the Bronx is like, 20 miles.

[@stephaniewalchle4033]

My favorite book 📖

[@noahhecker6672]

Masterfully done as always sir! I’ve known of this story and read excerpts for my schooling when I was a boy but I’ve never heard it in full before so this was a real treat. As for upcoming stories, I personally do enjoy your stories that are about things other than Ghosts. For example your reading of Jackson’s, “The Lottery,” which was a favorite of mine in high school, was a treat as well. Perhaps if you’d take a suggestion, The Suicide Club by R.L. Stevenson is a great and creepy sort of ghost-less story. God be with you and yours

[@martiwilliams4592]

Gripping story, masterful presentation--enjoy? That is under consideration. Disturbing all the way through. But thank you, Tony for your usual masterful narration.

[@-Reagan]

I was SO surprised and excited about Stalls of Barchester Cathedral! It might be my favorite MR James. So hard to decide. Also, this one ☝️ The real classics ARE in my ‘algorithm’ as what I really want. Thank you, if you have made no one else happy you put me over the moon 🌚 about it! I was also so excited for Angela Carter’s Company of Wolves 🐺 It’s the best I have ever heard (in a masculine voice; I must say Angela, herself did a uniquely incredible reading). It gives me a thrill of shudders to listen to your video, no matter how often. How lucky are you to have met her?!

[@normaemanuel4975]

Thank you! This will be awesome!

[@carolynlewis9008]

So good!!!

[@collinjames9201]

Happy Halloween everybody in 2🎃23! This beloved legend will never die!

[@mtmuller]

This is one of my all time favs. Growing up we watched the Disney version at halloween. Thanks Tony

[@margarethooten3007]

Good, old Disney! I loved it.

[@aarondaguio7179]

I love this channel! Please keep it up!

[@ClassicGhost]

thank you . i aim to try !

[@jollymonger1021]

Would love to hear you read The House of Seven Gables

[@pattynielsen5506]

In the beginning of the story, Ichabod had quite a female following. He realized his education, poetry recitation and singing voice seemed to impress the country folks. I think that's when he began to think "why not Katrina?"

[@kooky45]

What about reading Tam O'Shanter for Rabbie Burns birthday on 25th January? Don't be afraid because you're not Scottish, we're not precious about our national poet and you have a lovely voice and presentation and it would be a pleasure to hear it from you.

[@ClassicGhost]

have you heard my thrawn janet? I did the curse of mathair nan uisgeachan, and journey without profit. I would struggle to do Burns not in Scots though and that might be the deal breaker.

[@cosmopolisosmo8635]

Great

[@amberfelber1121]

I do like the fact that even though he was able to escape and establish another life he stil remains part of the sleepy hollow fable in the town history. Some of us are really characters people never know but are fabrication when we can't b seen. Hope u had a wonderful time . Tell him art is supposed to grow if he wanted it to be done different get up and do it lol . I know if I b on the other side,I would still b interested in making my puny brain bigger and brighter. Not picking the past.lol . I had forgotten how much good food was in this story . I got something. But food like that haven't seen in a very long time. Wishing for abundance. Praying for the cute not the past. Lol. . Ty dude u always expand me.

[@amberfelber1121]

Future not the past. Spell no , total word correction .lol

[@user-nb3bh9uh7v]

amazing so helpful

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad you think so!

[@user-nb3bh9uh7v]

@@ClassicGhost I have a book report so this made it fun

[@jessicajackson8064]

Grandpa Tony, is what you are. My husband is not the father of my children, but he is Grandpa Chris.

[@ClassicGhost]

i think that's what I'll be. He can't talk yet of course :)

[@Sharon-bb5vj]

Boss .. love your voice 🩷

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank you 🤩

[@davidis7]

What is the classic ghost story you mentioned at 1:29:57? I can’t understand what you said there. Thanks!

[@ClassicGhost]

The Stalls of Barchester Carhedral

[@evelanpatton]

Not sure what mic this older recording is, but a High pass filter could be used around 8-9k

[@ClassicGhost]

I had some mic trouble.

[@evelanpatton]

Back then I NEVER would have noticed it; but today everything is so seamless & perfect, it makes going back into the archives, to revisit your own stories, show the earlier “imperfect” perfections! Always with listener affection, Ep.

[@hindleygj]

Sweeeeeeeet

[@medicalmisinformation]

Be it known that upon my barrister's advice I have determined to sue Mssrs. T. Walker & [the estate of] W. Irving for obscenely descriptive gustatory narration of the gastronomically titillating culinary items, which induce measurable insulin spikes in unsuspecting members of the reading public, should pre-diabetic diagnoses ensue. Good day, Sirs. GOOD DAY! Hrrrmph...

[@ClassicGhost]

Insulin spike are evil. I think I had one this afternoon.

[@ropeburnsrussell]

A colonial tale!

[@eileenmurphy5322]

Couldn't listen, too many mispronunciations of local names.

[@ClassicGhost]

Fair point.

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

SmAwesome! Just what I was looking for at the moment. Thanks T

[@ClassicGhost]

Always great to have you here.

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

I think within the genre is fine. This isn’t Classic Literalism Stories, for crying out loud.