Sleepy Hollow the movie is way better than Sleepy Hollow the short story. There. I admitted it. I can't help it. I read the short story bit by bit, over a number of days - mind you, its a very short story, so it shouldn't have taken more than half an hour to read it - because I just couldn't deal with having to read it all at once. Which is actually pretty dumb, since the sooner I'd finished with it, the happier I would have been. Hmmm. I need to remember that for future boring books that I might encounter. Anyhow, the story was just so dull and uneventful, that I found myself reading a page or three and then putting it down for the rest of the day. Eventually, I sucked it up and just plowed ahead until I got to the end. And, let me just mention, that after having seen the film version of the book, I sort of expected the same events to happen within the story. After all, the movie was based on it, right? Well, lo and behold, my disappointment when I didn't get to read what I had seen on screen. Don't get me wrong, the story is about Ichabod Crane and does fancy Katrina Van Whatshername; and he gets pranked by a bully named Brom. Oh, and there is mention of a headless horseman. So, I suppose the bare bones did make it into the film, but truthfully, it seems to me that the screenplay writer took liberty with the concept of artistic license and for that I'm grateful. Because, the film version of Irving's work truly brought his story to life - in fact, it infused it with life.
Okay, so I'm being a bit harsh. I can't help it. I really thought the story would be like the movie and when it wasn't, well, I got bored with it. Its just that I absolutely love the film version - Johnny Depp is in it! - and I remember how awesome it was and so, I sort of expected the short story to be just as amazing. Don't get me wrong, I chuckled at some parts (like at the description of Ichabod and his bully) and I was a bit curious to find out what would happen to Ichabod late at night as he was heading home from the party, but that's about it. When I got to the end, my first thought was, "What? That's it.Ugh." Not exactly, excited words about what I'd just suffered through aka read. Oh well. At the end of the day, I was able to cross off another book from my list of titles to be read for R.I.P. VII and I realized that since its October, I should probably watch Sleepy Hollow in celebration of all things spooky and Halloween. So, I'm off to watch the film and enjoy staring at kooky Ichabod Crane aka Johnny Depp!
18 comments:
I totally agree! With the page long sentences, it was very difficult for me just to get through the first 5 pages.
Anonymous, exactly! I think Irving could have written a much better short story had he been a bit more concise. Perhaps then I would have enjoyed his story. Oh well. Thanks for stopping by!
I read this last year around Halloween and felt the same sense of disappointment. I really was expecting more from the story, but it was just a bit dull. And not scary!
Anbolyn, I know! It definitely wasn't scary at all. Such a disappointment.
Yeah, it was one of the most disappointing reads of the RIP challenge for me. It's far more silly than spooky. AND THE ENDING?! What happened, Irving? It was lame. That's the only thing I can say about it. Go and enjoy the movie!!! :)
Beth, exactly! The ending was so lame. It fell flat. Ugh! What a disappointing read. I would definitely encourage watching the movie over reading this ;)
It sounds like I should just skip the short story and watch Johnny Depp!
bermudaonion, that is exactly what you should do ;)
LOL, Ok, I'll stop feeling bad now for loving the movie and thinking the short story was a chore to read.
btw, i LOVE your e-book vs book header!
It's probably lucky I read this one before I saw the movie...there's so much LESS in it!
I actually haven't read this book and reading your review I think you may have just saved me from something of a chore. I do LOVE the film with Depp.
I'm all for a bit of artistic license!
Lynn :D
redhead, it did feel like a chore, didn't it? LOL! Thanks! I thought it was a funny drawing and decided to use it :)
Cheryl, I know! Its crazy, how different the movie is, but I'm so glad it is ;)
Lynn, its such a good film, isn't it? Then again, Depp is in it, so how could it not be? :)
The story is just so-so. I can see why you liked the movie version better.
Ti, exactly. I think I just expected the story to be really good from what I had heard about it from other people and I was surprised when it wasn't. Oh well. At least I have the movie ;)
Much as I love Johnny Depp I skipped the movie because I wanted to read the book first. I'm sorry to hear the story was a disappointment, now I need to find a copy of the film and watch it instead, thanks.
claire, I can dig that. I'm like that too, with certain movies - I just have to read the book first. Definitely watch the movie with this one though - the book is just not that good.
Hmmm, I've not read the original novel, nor seen the film with Depp (!) but I did read it to my class as a children's classic and we all loved it. They were in utter suspense at the end; where did he go?!
Bellezza, as a children's classic I could definitely see this tale being a fun read. Because, yes, where did he go?
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