The Gift of the Magi and Other Stories

"The Gift of the Magi and Other Short Stories" brings together 16 pieces by O. Henry. The stories in this collection are taken from 8 of O. Henry's books; the original volumes have publication dates ranging from 1906 to 1911. This book includes a short introductory note on the colorful life and career of the author, who lived from 1862 to 1910.I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. O. Henry writes about criminals, dreamers, artists, lovers, and lost souls. Many of these stories have a New York City setting--he really captures the energy and color of the city. There are also a Western story ("The Pimienta Pancakes"), a Southern Gothic tale ("A Municipal Report"), a story set primarily in a small town in Arkansas ("A Retrieved Reformation"), and a story set in rural Alabama ("The Ransom of Red Chief").If you like stories with "twist" endings, you will probably like this collection. The book as a whole is a lot of fun--full of life and charm. Some of the stories may strike contemporary readers as corny, but I found each tale to be an enjoyable gem of storytelling. The book is rich in irony, with some really funny scenes.O. Henry tells stories of love, justice, deception, sacrifice, and heroism. He makes some intriguing creative choices; this is clearly the work of a master in total command of the short story genre. His prose style is very readable and engaging, with touches of baroque elegance.

This book begins with the one of the lesser-known Christmas stories that illustrates how we should give to the utmost during this season of giving. O. Henry is able to use wit to show wisdom, and the ridiculous to show the sublime.The poor married couple is forced to scrounge for Christmas. The husband hocks his watch to buy hair combs for his wife, and his wife sell her hair to a wig-maker to buy a fob-chain. Bit this story isn't about a couple's holiday folly, but the desire to love and serve other people to the utmost.One of the classics is "The Last Leaf," about a boy who in inspired by a last leaf, which is really a painting. Another story is "The Cop And the Anthem," about the bum who tries to get arrested, then has a turn of heart second before he is booked for vagrancy. It also has the immortal "The Ransom Of Red Chief," the story about the kidnappers who get the redheaded brat, and try their darndest to get rid of the kid.O. Henry has the a gift of the twist, like Rod Serling of "Twilight Zone" fame, or M. Night Shyamalan, the director of "The Sixth Sense," and "Signs." As you read, it keeps your eyes on their toes, since at any minute the whole story will twist upside-down. This roller-coaster writing is like a well-told joke.

For my money, this Dover edition is the perfect introduction to the works of O. Henry. It contains several of his best stories in an order that is not jarring, considering they come from different collections.I am a writer of short stories, and there is no better practitioner of the art than O. Henry. Perhaps in today's world, with the New Yorker style being touted as *the* way to write short stories, O. Henry is scoffed at. But, if you look close, Henry's stories have one thing those don't--an ending.In fact, O. Henry stories are famous for their endings. Often called "twist" endings, they show the inherent unpredictability of life. What is often missed, however, is Henry's knack for characterization, his evocative use of setting and description, and his readability. I put O. Henry up there with other short story writers like Flannery O'Connor and John Updike.So, start with the Dover edition and if you find that you, too, love the work of O. Henry then graduate to a more comprehensive collection. And if not, hey, you're not out much money, right?

O. Henry could do it all. His "Gift of the Magi" is famous for it's poignancy and ironic, bittersweet ending. But, he also could be absolutely hilarious. For example, "The Cop and the Anthem," also has an ironic ending but the tone and setting is such that, had he been alive in another generation, O.Henry could have been a writer for "Saturday Night Live." Another story that had me in stitches is "The Ransom of Red Chief." Damon Runyon is famous for creating colorful characters, but O.Henry obviously influenced Runyon with his characters and use of language. O. Henry's stories are entertaining and no two are alike ... he provides a lot of variety in his writing. This sampling of his work is a great bargain.

Those stories progress slowly and quietly until you get to the last paragraph. The bottom line. Then suddenly you are flooded with strong feelings: either joy or sorrow - it usually moves your heart. I loved those stories since the first time I learned them, in high school, and this book gave me the opportunity to read it in the original language for the first time (I read it in Hebrew the other times...). It was challanging, but it is worth it. It is a perfect book to take with you on your daily bus ride, when you are blue, or just in any day that you feel like reading something which is pure nice literature. I hope you read it and enjoy. I know I did. Do you want an example? Curious? Read the real thing!