Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
I want to read the book!
All characters reduced
The Gift of the Magi and Other Tales of New York - cover

The Gift of the Magi and Other Tales of New York

O. O.Henry

Publisher: DigiCat

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

In "The Gift of the Magi and Other Tales of New York," O. Henry masterfully weaves together a collection of poignant short stories that delve into the complexities of urban life in early 20th-century New York. Known for his wit and twist endings, O. Henry's writing showcases a keen understanding of human nature, love, sacrifice, and the unexpected turns of fate. Each tale serves as both a vivid snapshot and a social commentary on the struggles of the city's inhabitants, blending humor and pathos in a distinctly American literary style. The collection's title story, perhaps his most famous, epitomizes the themes of selflessness and irony that permeate his work, making it a poignant reflection on the true meaning of gift-giving amidst economic hardship. O. Henry, born William Sydney Porter, drew inspiration from his varied experiences as a writer, bank teller, and even a prisoner. His own encounters with love and loss, coupled with the vibrant energy of New York City, profoundly influenced his storytelling. O. Henry's unique narrative style, enriched by his Southern roots and adroit use of local color, resonates throughout his stories, allowing readers to see both the mundane and the extraordinary in everyday life. I highly recommend "The Gift of the Magi and Other Tales of New York" to anyone seeking a profound and entertaining exploration of the human condition. O. Henry's deft storytelling and insightful observations invite readers to reflect on their own lives while enjoying the rich, textured world of New York. This collection is not merely a delightful read; it is an essential piece of American literature that continues to resonate.
Available since: 12/10/2022.
Print length: 89 pages.

Other books that might interest you

  • The Three Musketeers Volume 3 - cover

    The Three Musketeers Volume 3

    Alexandre Dumas

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    In "The Three Musketeers Volume 3" by Alexandre Dumas, the thrilling exploits of d'Artagnan and his comrades reach new heights as they confront escalating dangers. Amidst court intrigues and romantic entanglements, the Musketeers face treacherous foes, including the cunning Milady de Winter and Cardinal Richelieu's agents. Loyalties are tested as secrets unravel, propelling them through daring duels and perilous missions. Dumas weaves a rich tapestry of adventure, friendship, and honor, ensuring a captivating conclusion to this timeless epic.
    Show book
  • Three Musketeers The - Audiobook - cover

    Three Musketeers The - Audiobook

    Alexandre Dumas, Classic...

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas is a swashbuckling historical adventure set in 17th-century France. The novel follows the brave and impulsive young d'Artagnan, who leaves his home in Gascony to join the King's Musketeers in Paris. There, he befriends the legendary trio of Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—three musketeers bound by loyalty, courage, and the famous motto: "All for one, and one for all."Together, they navigate a world of political intrigue, royal secrets, and deadly plots involving Cardinal Richelieu and the mysterious spy Milady de Winter. As battles rage and loyalties are tested, the four companions risk everything in the name of honor and friendship.Dumas' timeless classic combines action, romance, and humor with richly drawn characters and fast-paced storytelling. The Three Musketeers remains one of the most beloved adventure novels of all time.
    Show book
  • Jimmy Goggles the God (Unabridged) - cover

    Jimmy Goggles the God (Unabridged)

    H. G. Wells

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 - 13 August 1946) was an English writer. Prolific in many genres, he wrote dozens of novels, short stories, and works of social commentary, history, satire, biography and autobiography. His work also included two books on recreational war games. Wells is now best remembered for his science fiction novels and is often called the "father of science fiction", along with Jules Verne and the publisher Hugo Gernsback.
JIMMY GOGGLES THE GOD: "It isn't every one who's been a god," said the sunburnt man. "But it's happened to me. Among other things." I intimated my sense of his condescension.
    Show book
  • Diary Horror - The 'Found Footage' of the Written Word - cover

    Diary Horror - The 'Found...

    Robert Bloch, Guy de Maupassant,...

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Fifteen stories told through the recovered pages of diaries/journals. 
Contents: 
What Killed Granded? by Ian Gordon (HorrorBabble, 2020) 
An investigation told through a series of audio logs. 
The Diary of Alonzo Typer by H. P. Lovecraft (Weird Tales, 1938) 
An occult researcher disappears without a trace. 
The Horror in the Lighthouse by E. A. Poe and R. Bloch (Fantastic, 1953) 
Bloch completes Poe's famous fragment. 
The Diary of Philip Westerly by Paul Compton (WT, 1936) 
Unsettling incidents involving a mirror. 
Notebook Found in a Deserted House by Robert Bloch (WT, 1951) 
A boy hides from 'them ones'. 
The Hall Bedroom by M. E. W. Freeman (Short Story Classics, 1905) 
A peculiar room in a boarding house. 
The Diary of a Madman by Guy de Maupassant (Le Gaulois, 1885) 
The thoughts of an undiscovered murderer. 
The Polar Vortex by Malcolm Ferguson (WT, 1946) 
A terrible experiment. 
The Impossible Adventure by H. T. W. Bousfield (WT, 1940) 
A curious set of notes. 
The Bed of Shadows by Fred R. Farrow, Jr. (WT, 1929) 
What lurked above the man in the bed? 
The Way Home by P. F. Stern (WT, 1935) 
A man suffering from amnesia. 
The Floor Above by M. Humphreys (WT, 1923) 
A man's troubling stay with an old friend. 
The Horla by Guy de Maupassant (1887) 
A man is haunted by an invisible presence. 
The Hollow Moon by Everil Worrell (WT, 1939) 
A vampire and strange icebergs. 
The Green Meadow by H. P. Lovecraft (The Vagrant, 1927) 
A notebook found in a meteorite.
    Show book
  • Crime and Punishment - Audiobook - cover

    Crime and Punishment - Audiobook

    Fyodor Dostoyevsky, English...

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Crime and Punishment is a psychological masterpiece that delves into the complexities of morality, guilt, and redemption. Set in the grim streets of 19th-century St. Petersburg, the novel follows Rodion Raskolnikov, a young and impoverished ex-student who wrestles with his own ideology and desperate circumstances. Convinced that extraordinary individuals have the right to transgress moral laws for the greater good, Raskolnikov commits a brutal murder, believing it to be a necessary step to achieve greatness.As he struggles to justify his crime, the weight of guilt begins to erode his mental and emotional stability. His encounters with the compassionate Sonia, a self-sacrificing woman of faith, and the relentless detective Porfiry Petrovich lead Raskolnikov on a harrowing journey of self-discovery and confrontation with his conscience.This gripping tale explores profound themes such as the nature of sin, the consequences of pride, and the possibility of redemption. Dostoevsky's masterful character development and philosophical depth make Crime and Punishment a timeless exploration of the human soul.
    Show book
  • A Society - From their pens to your ears genius in every story - cover

    A Society - From their pens to...

    Virginia Woolf

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Adeline Virginia Woolf was born on the 25th January 1882 in South Kensington in London. 
Although lauded as a founder of modernist writing with such classics as ‘Orlando’, ‘Mrs Dalloway’ and ‘To the Lighthouse’ and, of course, many classic short stories, her background is filled with elements of tragedy that she somehow overcame to become such a revered writer.   Her mother died when she was 13, her half-sister Stella two years later and with it her first of several nervous breakdowns.  Appallingly it was later found that three of her half-brothers had sexually abused her so darkness must have seemed ever present.   
She began writing professionally at age 20 but her father’s death two years later brought a complete mental collapse and she was briefly institutionalised.  Somehow she found within herself a literary career and with it great innovations in writing; she was a pioneer of “stream of consciousness”.    
Her tight circle of friends were the founders of the Bloomsbury Group, a movement whose legacy still influences across the arts and society in many way to this day.   
Whilst the dark periods continued to interrupt her emotional state her rate of work never ceased.  Until, on 28th March 1941, Woolf put on her overcoat, filled up its pockets with stones, and walked into the River Ouse, in Lewes, East Sussex and drowned herself.  Her body was not recovered until the 18th April.  She was 59. 
She left behind a note which read in part “Dearest, I feel certain that I am going mad again.  I feel we can't go through another of those terrible times.  And I shan't recover this time.  I begin to hear voices, and I can't concentrate.  So I am doing what seems the best thing to do”.
    Show book