reading

[eor]

I've never read any O. Henry previously, not even The Gift of the Magi. I enjoyed this collection, although I think the order of the stories detracted from the experience. The stories were grouped thematically (The City, Con Men, West, South). The stories in each group tended to feel more sameish than they would have if they were spread around a bit. That said, the stories had an extensive vocabulary and many had the quintisential short story kicker at the end. I like the fact that even the hick and con man characters are allowed to have brain and heart. O. Henry's work wasn't literature. It was written to sell to newpapers and to sell newspapers. But the quality of the language in what were basic stories of the early 1900's makes one believe the entire English speaking population is now suffering from advance stage Alzheimer's.

5. O. Henry 41 Stories