The Gift of the Magi: A Special Christmas Edition - Includes Candle-Making Tutorial and Exclusive Audiobook! In "The Gift of the Magi," O. Henry weaves an exciting and touching narrative that encapsulates the true spirit of Christmas. At a time when one dollar and eighty-seven cents are all that Della has to buy a gift for her beloved Jim, this story takes us on a journey of love, sacrifice, and generosity. Della and Jim are a young couple facing financial hardships, but what they lack in material resources is compensated by the love they share. With Christmas approaching, they are willing to make surprising sacrifices to give each other a special gift. The author, O. Henry, known for his talent in creating captivating short stories, presents us with a timeless tale that continues to touch the hearts of readers of all ages. "The Gift of the Magi" is a reminder that, at Christmas and at all times, love and generosity are the greatest gifts we can give and receive. This special edition is a must-read for the holiday season and beyond. The book also includes an exclusive tutorial for creating amazing Christmas candles, accompanied by a QR Code that leads you to an audiobook specially designed with care to meet the needs of those facing challenges in reading.
This classic holiday story about true love, irony, and gift-giving makes a sophisticated gift for middle grade readers —give to boys and girls ages 9 - 12 years old. Della and Jim love each other very much but have no money for getting Christmas gifts for one another. But when Della decides to make a great sacrifice that will give her enough money to buy the present Jim deserves, she soon discovers that that her selfless act may have been for naught. This is a new, richly illustrated interpretation of the well-loved, poignant short story by O. Henry.
Eighty short stories by a master of the genre O. Henry's comic eye and unique, ironic approach to life's realities are unmatched. These stories—about con men and tricksters and "innocent" deceivers, about fate, luck, and coincidence—have delighted generations of readers. Set in New York and the West, in Central America and the South, they demonstrate O. Henry's mastery of speech and place, and highlight his appreciation of life's quirks. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
The four million.--Heart of the West.--The gentle grafter.--Roads of destiny.--Cabbages and kings.--Options.--Sixes and sevens.--Rolling stones.-Pems.--Whirligigs.--The voice of the city.--The trimmed lamp.--Strictly business.--Waifs and strays.
Cabbages and Kings (1904) is a novel by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive in Honduras, the interconnected stories that make up Cabbages and Kings—the title refers to a line from Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass—address themes of revolution, imperialism, exploitation, and greed. The novel is significant not only for launching O. Henry’s career as a successful professional writer, but for coining the term “banana republic,” now frequently used to describe the influence of American fruit companies over such nations as Honduras. In the fictional nation of Anchuria, the political reality and social life of its people are under attack—from within and without. An American businessman in the coastal town of Coralio receives a telegram from the capital city of San Mateo announcing that there has been a revolution. President Miraflores has fled to the coast, taking with him $100,000 from the federal reserve. Sensing opportunity, Goodwin gathers a posse to hunt down the fugitive leader, tracking him to a nondescript inn in Coralio. Cornered, Miraflores kills himself, and Goodwin elopes with the President’s lover, taking the money with them. Although a liberal government has successfully risen to power, widespread corruption and deep poverty threaten to thrust Anchuria into further chaos. Cabbages and Kings is a collection of stories centered on this troubled tropical nation, where greed supersedes honor and the interests of the people are sold to the highest bidder. Despite or perhaps because of its critique of American influence in Latin America, Cabbages and Kings was a critical and commercial success for O. Henry, establishing his reputation as a master storyteller with a profound sense of right and wrong, and everything in between. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of O. Henry’s Cabbages and Kings is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.
O. Henry, the pen name of William Sydney Porter, is one of the most famous short story writers of all times whose stories are known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterization and clever twist endings. O. Henry is so acknowledged as a great short story writer that his pen name is associated with a prestigious American award given to short stories of exceptional merit. Included in this collection of "The Gift of the Magi and Other Short Stories" is the title story which describes the struggles of a poor young married couple as they strive to secretly buy each other Christmas gifts. Also included in this collection are the following stories: "The Cop and the Anthem," "Springtime A La Carte," "The Green Door," "After Twenty Years," "The Furnished Room," "The Pimienta Pancakes," "The Last Leaf," "The Voice of The City," "While The Auto Waits," "A Retrieved Reformation," "A Municipal Report," "A Newspaper Story," "The Ransom of Red Chief," "A Ghost of a Chance," and "Makes the Whole World Kin.
Roads of Destiny (1909) is a collection of short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and in prison, these stories address themes of crime, poverty, and fate. “A Retrieved Reformation,” perhaps the most notable of the collection’s twenty-two stories, is semi-autobiographical in that it explores the life of a criminal and fugitive who maintains a moral identity while struggling to adjust to life outside of prison. “Roads of Destiny” is the story of a French poet and shepherd named David Mignot. After fighting with his lover Yvonne, he decides to leave his home village of Vernoy in search of fame and adventure. The dreamlike narrative follows him down three paths: one takes him to the home of a wealthy Marquis, where he falls in love with his young daughter; the next leads him to the halls of the king, where he is recruited to act as a body double during a visit to the nearby cathedral; the final one finds him turning back toward home, where he struggles to balance a life of marriage with his poetic calling. In “A Retrieved Reformation,” a safecracker named Jimmy Valentine attempts to lead a quiet life following his release from prison. Using an assumed identity, he settles in Arkansas, where he marries the beautiful daughter of a local banker. Despite his best efforts, however, his criminal past threatens to resurface at every turn. Roads of Destiny is a collection of stories exploring themes of fate and identity by an icon of American literature. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of O. Henry’s Roads of Destiny is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.
O. Henry, the pen name of William Sydney Porter, is one of the most famous short story writers of all time, whose stories are known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterization and clever twist endings. O. Henry is so acknowledged as a great short story writer that his pen name is associated with a prestigious American award given to short stories of exceptional merit. Included in this collection of "The Gift of the Magi and Other Short Stories" is the title story which describes the struggles of a poor young married couple as they strive to secretly buy each other Christmas gifts. Also included in this collection are the following stories: "The Cop and the Anthem", "Springtime À La Carte", "The Green Door", "After Twenty Years", "The Furnished Room", "The Pimienta Pancakes", "The Last Leaf", "The Voice of The City", "While The Auto Waits", "A Retrieved Reformation", "A Municipal Report", "A Newspaper Story", "The Ransom of Red Chief", "A Ghost of a Chance", and "Makes the Whole World Kin". This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.
A collection of 19 short stories from the West. Several of the funniest and best stories by O. Henry appear in this book, which is made up of about twenty-five of his inimitable tales of Western life and types which have appeared at intervals in the magazines. These stories are the best of their kind since Bret Harte. William Sydney Porter (September 11, 1862 - June 5, 1910), known by his pen name O. Henry, and his surprise endings, was an American short story writer. He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina. He changed the spelling of his middle name to Sydney in 1898. HEARTS AND CROSSES (excerpt) Baldy Woods reached for the bottle, and got it. Whenever Baldy went for anything he usually-but this is not Baldy's story. He poured out a third drink that was larger by a finger than the first and second. Baldy was in consultation; and the consultee is worthy of his hire. ""I'd be king if I was you,"" said Baldy, so positively that his holster creaked and his spurs rattled...
O. Henry is the pen name of American writer William Sydney Porter (1862-1910). Porter's 400 short stories are known for their wit, wordplay, characterization and the clever use of twist endings. He travelled to Austin in 1884, where he took a number of different jobs over the next several years, first as pharmacist then as a draftsman, bank teller and journalist. He also began writing as a sideline to employment. Porter's most prolific writing period started in 1902, when he moved to New York City to be near his publishers. He wrote 381 short stories while living there. He wrote a story a week for over a year for the New York World Sunday Magazine. His wit, characterization and plot twists were adored by his readers, but often panned by the critics. Yet, he went on to gain international recognition and is credited with defining the short story as a literary art form. His works include: Cabbages and Kings (1904), The Four Million (1906), Heart of the West (1907), The Trimmed Lamp and Other Stories of the Four Million (1907), The Voice of the City: Further Stories of the Four Million (1908), The Gentle Grafter (1908) and Roads of Destiny (1909).
William Sydney Porter (1862–1910), better known as O. Henry, led a life similar to those of his own fictional characters. Convicted of embezzlement, he drew inspiration from his prison experiences.nbsp;This volume includes "The Ransom of Red Chief," "The Last Leaf,"nbsp; the classic, "The Gift of the Magi" and 13 more.
The Trimmed Lamp & Other Stories' is a short story collection that explores the themes of the human condition and the often mysterious nature of human relationships. Veering on the verge of ordinariness but never becoming so. O. Henry’s stories have a knack for transforming the expectations of the reader before the narrative has a chance to grow dull. Replete with sharp wit and a celebration of the English language incorporating unique spins on existing words and expressions. These playful and humourous stories represent a New York-ish social experiment that stands the test of time. American short story master O. Henry is best known for his pithy, witty scores and surprise endings. In doing so he made commonplace experiences extraordinary and memorable. His work has been immortalised in the popular 1952 film 'O. Henry's Full House' starring Fred Allen, Anne Baxter, Marilyn Monroe and Jeanne Crain. William Sidney Porter (1862-1919), known simply as O. Henry, was a prolific American author of humorous literary pieces. His fame came exceptionally quickly and he became a bestselling author of short story collections. Perhaps the most famous of these are, 'Cabbages and Kings,' 'The Voice of the City' and 'Strictly Business.' The immensity of O. Henry's impact on the American short story genre for time to come is evidenced by the fact an annual award in his name is given out each year in the United States. O. Henry's work is a must read for fans of Hemingway, Guy de Maupassant and Anton Chekhov.
Whirligigs (1910) is a collection of short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and in prison, these stories address themes of poverty and provincial life with humor and abundant empathy. “The Ransom of Red Chief,” the most notable of the collection’s twenty-four stories, is considered one of Henry’s finest works and has been adapted numerous times for television and film. “The Ransom of Red Chief” follows two petty criminals named Bill and Sam, who devise a plan to hold an influential citizen’s son for ransom. They kidnap Johnny Dorset, a ten-year-old boy who soon takes a liking to the pair and gives himself the name “Red Chief.” As Bill and Sam attempt to collect their ransom money, the Red Chief subjects them to tiring games and pranks, causing the two criminals to regret their hasty decision. In “The Whirligig of Life,” a story set in a frontier settlement near the Cumberland Mountains, a Justice of the Peace officiates a divorce between two quarreling settlers. He charges them five dollars for the ceremony, but when the husband realizes he has no money left for alimony, the judge looks for ways to hold onto his hard-earned wages. Whirligigs is a collection of humorous stories by O. Henry, an icon of short story writing. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of O. Henry’s Whirligigs is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.
Originally published in 1917, Waifs and Strays is a premier selection of short stories released seven years after the author’s untimely death at age 47. The book contains 12 memorable tales including “Confessions of a Humorist," "The Detective Detector," and "The Sparrows in Madison Square." In Waifs and Strays, O. Henry brings humor to unconventional stories with unforgettable characters. With "The Detective Detector” he spoof’s the world’s most famous consultant Sherlock Holmes, while “Hearts and Hands” centers the unusual dynamic between a convict, a marshal and a beautiful woman. There’s also “The Cactus” in which a man recalls the errors of a past relationship and “A Little Talk About Mobs,” where two men debate New York’s gangster scene.Waifs and Strays is a compelling collection of stories that are humorous, thrilling and most importantly, entertaining. O. Henry creates diverse narratives that stir the imagination and keep readers guessing. Each tale is an attention-grabber full of memorable moments. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Waifs and Strays is both modern and readable.
Another poignant short story collection from the famed writer, formed as an ode to O. Henry’s favourite place, New York City. Seeking to find the genuine voice of this megapolis, O. Henry portrays a variety of characters in their own peculiarity and uniqueness . In the first short of the same name, we are brought to the cacophonous chanting of a New York class room where students eagerly recite their lessons, before we are brought on a sweeping journey throughout the city. We meet policemen, poets and newsboys who each eagerly accounts for the true voice of their famed city. It is an excellent read, that constitutes essential reading for any fan of O. Henry, or those of you with a big love for the Big Apple who want to see just exactly how this wondrous city came to captivate the world. William Sidney Porter (1862-1919), known simply as O. Henry, following his stint in prison, was a prolific American short story writer. His fame came exceptionally quickly and he became a bestselling author of short story collections, the most famous being "Cabbages and Kings", "The Voice of the City", and "Strictly Business." As a result of the outstanding literature legacy that O. Henry left behind, there is an annual award named after him, given to the authors of an exceptional short stories.
A collection of 16 enjoyable short stories. ""THE ROSE OF DIXIE"" (excerpt) When The Rose of Dixie magazine was started by a stock company in Toombs City, Georgia, there was never but one candidate for its chief editorial position in the minds of its owners. Col. Aquila Telfair was the man for the place. By all the rights of learning, family, reputation, and Southern traditions, he was its foreordained, fit, and logical editor. So, a committee of the patriotic Georgia citizens who had subscribed the founding fund of $100,000 called upon Colonel Telfair at his residence, Cedar Heights, fearful lest the enterprise and the South should suffer by his possible refusal. The colonel received them in his great library, where he spent most of his days. The library had descended to him from his father. It contained ten thousand volumes, some of which had been published as late as the year 1861... Get Your Copy Now.
A series of stories which each explore some individual aspect of life in a paralytically sleepy Central American town while each advancing some aspect of the larger plot and relating back one to another in a complex structure which slowly explicates its own background even as it painstakingly erects a town which is one of the most detailed literary creations of the period. In this book, O. Henry coined the term "banana republic".Table of Contents:
The American master of the short story presents twenty-two tales, including “A Retrieved Reformation,” that twist and turn in unexpected ways. One of the most popular authors of his day, O. Henry penned stories that surprised and delighted his many fans. His characters were people whom readers knew from places they recognized, everyday folks who sometimes found themselves in sticky, shocking, and sobering situations. This volume includes many of O. Henry’s most recognizable works, including “A Retrieved Reformation,” which was inspired by his own experience being imprisoned. It was adapted into a Broadway play and subsequently three film versions. “The story has its gentle humor and is easy to understand, which I believe, can be suitable for many types of readers from booklovers to new readers. Moreover, anyone who wants to find a story with surprising plot, or twisted ending then ‘A Retrieved Reformation’ can be the right choice.” —Write to Interact on “A Retrieved Reformation”
O. Henry is the pen name of American writer William Sydney Porter (1862-1910). Porter's 400 short stories are known for their wit, wordplay, characterization and the clever use of twist endings. He travelled to Austin in 1884, where he took a number of different jobs over the next several years, first as pharmacist then as a draftsman, bank teller and journalist. He also began writing as a sideline to employment. Porter's most prolific writing period started in 1902, when he moved to New York City to be near his publishers. He wrote 381 short stories while living there. He wrote a story a week for over a year for the New York World Sunday Magazine. His wit, characterization and plot twists were adored by his readers, but often panned by the critics. Yet, he went on to gain international recognition and is credited with defining the short story as a literary art form. His works include: Cabbages and Kings (1904), The Four Million (1906), Heart of the West (1907), The Trimmed Lamp and Other Stories of the Four Million (1907), The Voice of the City: Further Stories of the Four Million (1908), The Gentle Grafter (1908) and Roads of Destiny (1909).
A collection of age-appropriate tales by O. Henry includes "The Ransom of Red Chief," "Gifts of the Magi," "The Furnished Room," "The Guilty Party," and "Brickdust Row.
Thank you for visiting our website. Would you like to provide feedback on how we could improve your experience?
This site does not use any third party cookies with one exception — it uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic.Learn More.