In a humorous twist on the kidnapping trope, two bumbling kidnappers face off against their unexpected victim, a spirited young boy who turns their plans upside down. The narrative showcases O. Henry's knack for portraying ordinary characters in extraordinary situations, culminating in a surprising conclusion. Additionally, the book includes informative sections on the origins of the American police, providing context to the story's setting and themes.
These carefully selected tales of O. Henry, more than forty in all, showcase the author's unique storytelling flair. Treasured for their humor, warmth and clever characterisation, O. Henry's short stories carry a readability which is seldom uncompelling and occasionally outright gripping. Many have shocking endings, with a sudden plot twist turning the reader's perceptions on their head. Most often we join ordinary people working ordinary jobs, who happen to experience something extraordinary. Wide ranging in scope and setting, O. Henry would choose a variety of locales to situate his stories. Downtown New York, the vast cattle plains of Texas, and everyday small towns serve to vary the backdrop. It is a common theme for either a character, the narration, or both to provide witty asides and wordplay which keep the reader amused.
This is a collection of short stories set in New York by American writer O. Henry, a master of the craft.
We are presenting this edition as a part of the selected Christmas specials and classics published for this joyful and charming holiday season, for all those who want to keep the spirit of Christmas alive with a heartwarming tale. Table of Contents: - The Gift of the Magi - Whistling Dick's Christmas Stocking - Christmas by Injunction - A Chaparral Christmas Gift
Set against a backdrop of nostalgia, the narrative reflects on a time when schoolchildren recited lessons in a melodic fashion, blending the cadence of an Episcopal minister with the hum of a sawmill. This unique delivery evokes a sense of community and tradition, highlighting the importance of education and the resources of the past. The contrast between the lyrical recitation and the industrial sounds captures a moment in time, inviting readers to explore themes of memory and the evolution of learning.
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
The more than 600 stories written by O. Henry provided an embarrassment of riches for the compilers of this volume. The final selection of the thirty-eight stories in this collection offers for the reader's delight those tales honored almost unanimously by anthologists and those that represent, in variety and balance, the best work of America's favorite storyteller. They are tales in his most mellow, humorous, and ironic moods. They give the full range and flavor of the man born William Sydney Porter but known throughout the world as O. Henry, one of the great masters of the short story."
Such beloved short stories as The Gift of the Magi, The Pimienta Pancakes, and A Madison Square Arabian Night reveal the humor and vision of the American writer
A collection of classic short stories by the master of the plot twist features such beloved pieces as "The Gift of the Magi," "The Furnished Room," and "The Last Leaf"
Some Sketches of His Life Together with an Alphabetical Index to His Complete Works
The collection offers a rare glimpse into the intimate and significant memoirs of Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry. It assembles insights from various sources, shedding light on his lesser-known life. An alphabetical index enhances the reader's experience by serving as a convenient guide to his literary works, making it a valuable resource for those interested in his contributions to literature and his personal journey.