The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

What a great couple of lines:"The immediate cause, however, of the prevalence of supernatural stories in these parts, was doubtless owing to the vicinity of Sleepy Hollow. 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."Really loved this short story - and though so many of us are aware of it through popular culture, I think it was my first actual reading of Sleepy Hollow straight through, and probably my first bona fide reading of Irving. This makes great mid-autumn reading - not a terribly horrifying ghost story, but great descriptive atmosphere to give you the shivers. Very good humor and superb characterization, esp. of Ichabod Crane. Has the long sentences and descriptions that attend writing of the Romantic era, but much better than my recent (and, likewise, first) reading of Hawthorne in that Irving lingers on description just long enough, but still keeps the story going.If there's a fault, it's that the climactic race with the Headless Horseman, and the conclusion, feels rushed after such a great build-up.I think I may look for a good illustrated version to add to my own shelfHighly recommended

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?Yes -- everyone should read or listen to this classicWho was your favorite character and why?I've always been fond of Braum BonesHow did the narrator detract from the book?I probably should have bought a performance version and not a straight reading. It seemed very dull and didn't get a sense of excitement from the narrator.