Tab Article

ratings: (4.6/5)
Genre: Classic Literature, American Literature, Short Stories, Gothic Fiction, Folklore

Book Review:
Washington Irving holds a special place in American letters as the country's first internationally acclaimed man of letters, and this collection shows why. 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and 'Rip Van Winkle' are not just stories; they are foundational American myths. Irving essentially created the short story as a literary form in America and peopled it with characters who have become archetypes. Ichabod Crane, the gangly, superstitious schoolmaster, and Rip Van Winkle, the henpecked husband who sleeps through the Revolution, are as vivid and memorable today as they were 200 years ago. Irving's genius lies in his blending of the commonplace with the supernatural, his gentle satire of human nature, and his wonderfully evocative descriptions of the Hudson Valley landscape. The additional 31 pieces in this collection reveal the full range of his talent—from humorous sketches to atmospheric tales of mystery. This Collins Classics edition is well-produced, with useful supplementary material that enhances the reading experience. It's an essential volume for anyone wanting to explore the roots of American literature or simply to enjoy some wonderfully told stories that have stood the test of time. As the introduction notes, ''There was a contagion in the very air that blew from that haunted region; it breathed forth an atmosphere of dreams and fancies infecting all the land''—and Irving's prose is just such a contagion.