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emmag07's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
littletaiko's review against another edition
3.0
This is a collection of 38 of O. Henry's short stories. This is the sort of book though that is best read over a long period of time - read a story one day and then pick it up again a few days later for another story. Trying to read them straight through ends up diluting the experience as your become a bit numb to the twists.
My favorite stories were:
- The Gift of the Magi
- Man About Town
- The Cop and the Anthem
- A Retrieved Reformation
- The Ransom of Red Chief
- A Blackjack Beginner
- Transients of Arcadia
My favorite stories were:
- The Gift of the Magi
- Man About Town
- The Cop and the Anthem
- A Retrieved Reformation
- The Ransom of Red Chief
- A Blackjack Beginner
- Transients of Arcadia
ipb1's review against another edition
3.0
3.5* He certainly has his moments, but there is a uniformity of tone and style that means you can only really take so many in a sitting. Best dipped in and out of whilst reading other things.
kandicez's review against another edition
5.0
I read these stories over and over. Even though you know the ending, it's still cool the way they twist!
zwbarnes's review against another edition
3.0
Wonderful Bed-side reading with a message. Collection of some of his best work, the master of the short story
themaggiemch's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Normally, I am not the biggest enjoyer of anthologies. Short stories are rarely long/interesting enough to hold my attention, and I find myself skimming or even abandoning the book. However, Henry's stories were refreshingly different.
Almost every story had an intriguing premise that kept me hooked until the end, which usually took an ironic twist. My favorites were "The Last Leaf", "Roads of Destiny", and of course, the classic "Gift of the Magi".
Out of all of the anthologies I've read in the past 12 months, this has by far been the most enjoyable, and it would be a true pleasure to read more of Henry's works.
Almost every story had an intriguing premise that kept me hooked until the end, which usually took an ironic twist. My favorites were "The Last Leaf", "Roads of Destiny", and of course, the classic "Gift of the Magi".
Out of all of the anthologies I've read in the past 12 months, this has by far been the most enjoyable, and it would be a true pleasure to read more of Henry's works.
whitneydrew's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed about half of the short stories included. The other half were duds in my opinion.
davybaby's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know if you can really consider these classics, but I did, so there you have it.
I didn't read all of them, but I read a few and they were fun. "The Ransom of Red Chief" was my favorite, which had a Twainian (ooh!) boyish country humor to it that was endearing.
I didn't read all of them, but I read a few and they were fun. "The Ransom of Red Chief" was my favorite, which had a Twainian (ooh!) boyish country humor to it that was endearing.