4/16/22

A collection of O. Henry stories from various books. The Gift of the Magi and The Last Leaf are included. ( )

I have long delighted with to the tales of William Sidney Porter, otherwise known as O. Henry. His colorful characters and half-cynical plot-twists have entertained me for years. I was very pleased, therefore, to come into posession of this collection of his works--incomplete as it may be. While I was disappointed that it did not include a couple of my favorite short stories (The Ransom of Red Chief, for example), it more than made up for it by including several stories that I had not yet read.

In this review I will list the stories included in this book, along with a brief (one sentence, usually) synopsis.

"The Gift of the Magi"

Possibly O. Henry's most famous work. A poor young couple make the ultimate sacrifices in order to buy each other Christmas gifts, and bring an entire new meaning to the phrase "it's the thought that counts".

"The Skylight Room"

A young woman meets her prince charming in a most unorthodox way.

"The Cop and the Anthem"

A vagrant is consistently frustrated in his attempts to get arrested, and then in his attempt at reform.

"Memoires of a Yellow Dog"

The story of a henpecked man, as told from the perspective of his loyal canine pet.

"Springtime à la Carte"

A young couple in love find each other with the help of a restaurant menu.

"The Green Door"

A man responds to the call of adventure and rescues a damsel in distress. This story ends with a classic O. Henry twist.

"After Twenty Years"

The first O. Henry story I ever read. Two friends reunite after twenty years--with unpredictable results.

"The Furnished Room"

Two related tragedies in one appartment.

"The Pimienta Pancakes"

How not to win the attention of a young lady in the Old West.

"The Reformation of Calliope"

A western badman undergoes a complete, thorough, and instantaneous reformation.

"The Passing of Black Eagle"

A vagrant is thrust into high adventure, and decides that it is not for him.

"A Retrieved Reformation"

The concept of this story has been made into at least one movie. An expert safe-cracker tries to go the straight and narrow, only to be forced to use his skill to save a child trapped in a safe.

"Whilstling Dick's Christmas Stocking"

A hobo becomes privy to plans to rob a souther mansion on Christmas. His quick thinking saves the day.

"Caught"

An American living in a Banana Republic is embroiled in national intrigue, and not only comes out on top, but gets the girl.

"The Sleuths"

A distraught man in search of his lost sister seeks the help of two detectives in New York City. This story proves that the most elaborate methods are not always the most effective.

"Makes the Whole World Kin"

A theif discovers he has something in common with his would-be victim.

"The Whirligig of Life"

A hillbilly Justice of the Peace administers a divorce, an alimony settlement, and a reconciliation--all for the same couple.

"A Newspaper Story"

Sometimes the effect of a newspaper is not at all what the editor had in mind.

"The Voice of the City"

A man sets out to find the "voice of the city". He seems to have found it, but I am still confused.

"One Thousand Dollars"

A ne'er-do-well inherits one thousand dollars, and makes better use of it than anybody expected.

"The Trimmed Lamp"

This story explores the possibility of finding true happiness in marriage.

"A Madison Square Arabian Night"

A wealthy man entertains a down-on-his luck painter. In the process he hears an amazing tale, and resolves a question that is weighing heavily on his mind.

"The Rubaiyat of a Scotch Highball"

An alcoholic resolves to go "dry", and faces mixed reactions from his spouse.

"Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen"

A starving gentleman feeds a stuffed beggar.

"The Buyer from Cactus City"

West meets East, and East is unable to resist West's charms.

"The Badge of Policeman O'Roon"

Poking gentle fun at Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, O. Henry tells a tale of two former comrades in arms.

"The Last Leaf"

A painter finishes his final masterpiece--just in time to save the life of a young lady.

"The Tale of a Tainted Tenner"

Told from the perspective of a ten dollar bill, this story is a scathing condemnation of "polite society" and those who practice a hypoctritic religion.

"A Municipal Report"

A writer explores the best and worst that the Old South has to offer.

"Compliments of the Season"

A lost and found rag doll, and a simple kindness, save a man's life.

Some final observations:

Harry Hansen's introduction to the book is very informative. I share his lamentation at O. Henry's early demise. What might he have written had he lived longer?

I was also struck for the first time with the overwhelming number of biblical references O. Henry employs in his writing. The meaning of many of these stories will be lost on the reader with no background in the Scriptures.

Finally, as I live in Brazil, I was struck by the reference to Santos Dumont in the story "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen".

www.comingstobrazil.com ( )