The Gift of the Magi and Other Short Stories (Dover Thrift Editions: Short Stories) - Softcover

William Sydney Porter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0486270610 ISBN 13: 9780486270616

Publisher: Dover Publications, 1992

Synopsis

 Here are sixteen of the best stories by one of America's most popular storytellers. For nearly a century, the work of O. Henry has delighted readers with its humor, irony and colorful, real-life settings. The writer's own life had more than a touch of color and irony. Born William Sidney Porter in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1862, he worked on a Texas ranch, then as a bank teller in Austin, then as a reporter for the Houston "Post." Adversity struck, however, when he was indicted for embezzlement of bank funds. Porter fled to New Orleans, then to Honduras before he was tried, convicted and imprisoned for the crime in 1898. In prison he began writing stories of Central America and the American Southwest that soon became popular with magazine readers. After his release Porter moved to New York City, where he continued writing stories under the pen name O.
HenryThough his work earned him an avid readership, O. Henry died in poverty and oblivion scarcely eight years after his arrival in New York. But in the treasury of stories he left behind are such classics of the genre as "The Gift of the Magi," "The Last Leaf," "The Ransom of Red Chief," "The Voice of the City" and "The Cop and the Anthem" — all included in this choice selection. A selection of the Common Core State Standards Initiative.

About this title

Review

Born William Sidney Porter in 1862, O. Henry first lived a checkered life as a cowhand, bank teller, reporter, embezzler, and convict. Then, in a last-minute reversal worthy of one of his own stories, he turned to fiction, and became a celebrated author of ironic miniatures. "The Gift of the Magi" is perhaps his most famous creation. And while this exploration of love and gift-giving doesn't exactly plumb the depths of human behavior, it does leave us with the final picture of Jim (sans watch) and Della (sans hair, or most of it), which has induced even the crankiest readers to shed a tear since it first appeared in 1906. Get out your handkerchiefs!

About the Author

O. Henry (William Sydney Porter, 1862-1910) was an American short-story writer. In his writing, O. Henry was able to catch the color and movement of the city and showed a genuine sympathy for ordinary people. Some of his works include "Cabbages and Kings", "Roads of Destiny", and "Strictly Business" among many others.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0486270610
• ISBN 13: 9780486270616
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96
• Editor: Shane Weller