Books › The works of Washington Irving
The works of Washington Irving
with a memoir of the author.
1269 pages
A warm, fireside journey through the myths, landscapes, and gentle satires of early America.
What it feels like
Reading this collection feels like settling into a comfortable armchair by a crackling fire, invited to listen to the foundational myths and gentle satires of early America. The pacing is decidedly leisurely, allowing the reader to savor the ornate, rhythmic prose and the author's wry, observant voice. The mood shifts effortlessly from the autumnal, slightly eerie shadows of the Hudson Valley to the sunlit, pastoral landscapes of a romanticized past. It is an atmospheric and deeply nostalgic experience, steeped in themes of time's passage and the clash between old and new worlds. This is a perfect match for readers who delight in 19th-century literature, rich folklore, and a warm, conversational cadence that transforms history into enduring legend.
- Mood
- autumnal
- cozy
- mythic
- atmospheric
- pastoral
- Tone
- wry
- nostalgic
- satirical
- observant
- gentle
- Pace
- leisurely
- Themes
- the passage of time · myth-making · cultural identity · romanticizing the past · clash of old and new worlds
- The writing
- Ornate, rhythmic, and gently ironic, characterized by rich descriptions and a warm, conversational cadence.
- The arc
- Moves from gentle amusement and curiosity through atmospheric wonder to a lingering sense of nostalgia.
- Who it's for
- Readers who enjoy classic American literature, folklore, and slow-paced, atmospheric storytelling with a touch of gentle satire.
Content notes
- outdated cultural depictions
- colonial attitudes
- racism
About the book
The work cited in the author/title information area of this microfiche (no. 37678) is a 3 volume set. The Institute provides this microfiche as a reference to the complete work. For individual microfiches in this set see CIHM microfiche nos. 37679-37681.
Filmed from a copy of the original publication held by the Morisset Library, University of Ottawa. Ottawa: Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions, 1984.
Description from Open Library.
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