Rip Van Winkle, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Pride of the Village & The Spectre Bridegroom

The story of the lazy villager who takes a 20-year-long nap, the spindly school tech who runs for his life from the headless horseman, and the maiden who falls in love with a young soldier—many have heard these tales, but the richness of details makes them worth revisiting. Sims provides a simple but strong reading of three classic tales (“The Spectre Bridegroom” is available as a free digital download), letting Irving’s handiwork do most of the entertaining. Managing to keep a steady pace without slipping into a sleep-inducing monotone, Sims allows the writing to lead the listener easily and naturally into the worlds created by the author. Whether the listener is revisiting or newly discovering, Sims narration offers a fine interpretation of these timeless tales. (Jan.)