Synopses & Reviews
One dollar and eighty-seven cents.
That was all. And sixty cents of it was in
pennies.... Three times Della counted it.
One dollar and eighty-seven cents.
And the next day would be Christmas.
In the beloved title story of this handsome collection, a man and woman each long to bring home just the right gift for the other. But with so little money, how can there be hope? The poignant twists and heartwarming conclusion of this perfect plum of a story help explain the lasting appeal of this most American of authors.Writing under the famous pseudonym 0. Henry, William Sydney Porter breathed life into characters, creating moments that touch readers with their sensitivity and humanity. He portrayed lovelorn cowboys and headstrong urbanites with the same authentic touch, using sympathy, irony, and the wit for which he is justly famous.
Synopsis
One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in
pennies.... Three times Della counted it.
One dollar and eighty-seven cents.
And the next day would be Christmas.
In the beloved title story of this handsome collection, a man and woman each long to bring home just the right gift for the other. But with so little money, how can there be hope? The poignant twists and heartwarming conclusion of this perfect plum of a story help explain the lasting appeal of this most American of authors.Writing under the famous pseudonym 0. Henry, William Sydney Porter breathed life into characters, creating moments that touch readers with their sensitivity and humanity. He portrayed lovelorn cowboys and headstrong urbanites with the same authentic touch, using sympathy, irony, and the wit for which he is justly famous.
About the Author
William Sydney Porter (1862-1910)—better known as O. Henry—is one of the world's most widely published writers. A master of the short story, he is the author of more than six hundred tales that have been translated into nearly every language. He is best known for his stories about New York City, which include The Gift of the Magi and The Purple Dress.The illustrated volume of The Gift of the Magi, contains 0. Henry's finest work, including the hilarious Ransom of Red Chief, in which a small boy tortures his kidnappers until the criminals are reduced to begging his parents to take him back. Michael Dooling's fifteen lush color plates capture the heart of each story with a blend of realism, sentiment, and humor. Longtime admirers of 0. Henry, as well as those who have yet to experience the pleasure of reading this master of the short story, will be enchanted by this wonderful collection.