1sdawson
I needed the therapy of a short story yesterday, so took off the shelf The Legend of Sleepy Hollows and Other Stories from the 100 Greatest collection.
It seems to me, a long time ago, back in college, I read some Washington Irving. But he was then put on the shelf for decades.
But he just grabbed me yesterday. As we are heading into fall, I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and it was more nuanced writing than I expected, and quite enjoyable. I could really put myself back in time 200 years ago as I read his words.
So I then read the first two stories in the collection: 'The Voyage' and 'Roscoe'. With both of these, the writing was a communion of individuals across a two hundred year span. Perhaps I was just in the right mood to appreciate it, but it was wonderful.
Irving's description of his voyage from America to Europe, coming across a shipwreck, pondering about the lost souls whose ending will never be known, took me back to that time. It was a time when peoples and stories were lost, questions unanswered. In contrast to today, when we expect answers to every questions, the world of this time is unimaginable to the masses today.
Back to Sleepy Hollow --- there is a suggestions that ghosts only exist as long as folks who knew them, and tell the stories stay in the area. The ghosts need a soul to haunt. As families disperse, the ghosts have no reason to remain, and move on as well. That's as good an explanation as any as to why there are fewer ghosts today than there were 200 years ago.
Wishing you a nice Fall season folks,
-Shawn
It seems to me, a long time ago, back in college, I read some Washington Irving. But he was then put on the shelf for decades.
But he just grabbed me yesterday. As we are heading into fall, I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and it was more nuanced writing than I expected, and quite enjoyable. I could really put myself back in time 200 years ago as I read his words.
So I then read the first two stories in the collection: 'The Voyage' and 'Roscoe'. With both of these, the writing was a communion of individuals across a two hundred year span. Perhaps I was just in the right mood to appreciate it, but it was wonderful.
Irving's description of his voyage from America to Europe, coming across a shipwreck, pondering about the lost souls whose ending will never be known, took me back to that time. It was a time when peoples and stories were lost, questions unanswered. In contrast to today, when we expect answers to every questions, the world of this time is unimaginable to the masses today.
Back to Sleepy Hollow --- there is a suggestions that ghosts only exist as long as folks who knew them, and tell the stories stay in the area. The ghosts need a soul to haunt. As families disperse, the ghosts have no reason to remain, and move on as well. That's as good an explanation as any as to why there are fewer ghosts today than there were 200 years ago.
Wishing you a nice Fall season folks,
-Shawn
2Tohno
Thanks for sharing your reflection, @sdawson! Your thoughts are wonderfully ponderous, and speak volumes to the lasting quality of Washington Irving's writing.
I'm also quite amused. I was originally subscribed to the Greatest Books collection around 20 years ago, although only for around a year (I was younger and money was tighter). The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories was among the volumes I recieved, yet it only ever sat on the shelf. However, it was one of the few EP titles I kept after selling/donating around 1500 books from my library (a majority) a few years ago ahead of a cross-country move.
What amuses me most here is the timing of your post, because I, likewise, finally retrieved the book from my shelf in late July, and read a few of the "Sketches" every night, savoring the longer tales (Sleepy Hollow ando Rip Van Winkle) during the weekend.
I'm not entirely sure what I expected, but what I received was a huge delight. Interestingly, I kept drawing comparisons to W. Somerset Maugham, of whose writing I am a big fan. Though, that may be attributable mainly to subject matter.
I'm astonished I went in ignorence of such great prose on my shelves for all those years. However, maybe the wait was necessary. After all, as you said, "Perhaps I was just in the right mood to appreciate it, but it was wonderful."
I'm also quite amused. I was originally subscribed to the Greatest Books collection around 20 years ago, although only for around a year (I was younger and money was tighter). The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories was among the volumes I recieved, yet it only ever sat on the shelf. However, it was one of the few EP titles I kept after selling/donating around 1500 books from my library (a majority) a few years ago ahead of a cross-country move.
What amuses me most here is the timing of your post, because I, likewise, finally retrieved the book from my shelf in late July, and read a few of the "Sketches" every night, savoring the longer tales (Sleepy Hollow ando Rip Van Winkle) during the weekend.
I'm not entirely sure what I expected, but what I received was a huge delight. Interestingly, I kept drawing comparisons to W. Somerset Maugham, of whose writing I am a big fan. Though, that may be attributable mainly to subject matter.
I'm astonished I went in ignorence of such great prose on my shelves for all those years. However, maybe the wait was necessary. After all, as you said, "Perhaps I was just in the right mood to appreciate it, but it was wonderful."
3jroger1
I’ve heard it said that Irving was the first American writer to become popular in Europe. He remains a witty, enjoyable read even today.
EP published in 2012 a gorgeous DLE of “Rip Van Winkle” in white leather and beautifully illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Unfortunately, the volume now sells on eBay for $600-$800.
However, I can also recommend the 3-volume Library of America set that includes all his famous and not-so-famous stories as well as his major nonfiction works. https://www.loa.org/writers/298-washington-irving/
EP published in 2012 a gorgeous DLE of “Rip Van Winkle” in white leather and beautifully illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Unfortunately, the volume now sells on eBay for $600-$800.
However, I can also recommend the 3-volume Library of America set that includes all his famous and not-so-famous stories as well as his major nonfiction works. https://www.loa.org/writers/298-washington-irving/
4Betelgeuse
Don't forget Irving's "Tales of the Alhambra," available in a Heritage Press edition.
5treereader
>4 Betelgeuse:
It’s also available from EP as part of the 100 Greatest series. It may or may not be currently available in the modern variation of the series but it was definitely part of the original series.
It’s also available from EP as part of the 100 Greatest series. It may or may not be currently available in the modern variation of the series but it was definitely part of the original series.
6sdawson
My copy of The Alhambra is the Heritage Press printing, rather than Easton Press. I see Easton Press, Limited Editions Club, and Heritage Press editions of this and other Washington Irving books on ebay -- all for less than current prices. One may choose their publication and price point.
In my book cases, especially for the classics, my LEC, HP, and EP editions all live together quite nicely.
In my book cases, especially for the classics, my LEC, HP, and EP editions all live together quite nicely.
7Betelgeuse
>5 treereader: Thanks, I wasn't sure if there was an Easton Press version!
8treereader
>7 Betelgeuse:
I had to double-check, actually. When I subscribed to the 100 Greatest series it hadn't been included. I don't think I actually have a copy.
I had to double-check, actually. When I subscribed to the 100 Greatest series it hadn't been included. I don't think I actually have a copy.
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