English Classics / The Selected Stories of O. Henry

The anthology features world-renowned masterpieces such as The Gift of the Magi and The Last Leaf, alongside darker, atmospheric pieces like The Furnished Room and the clever social satire of While the Auto Waits. This diverse selection is characterized by the famous “O. Henry Twist”—a sudden plot reversal that challenges expectations while providing an emotional catharsis. Rich with metaphor and a unique “streetwise” sophistication, his writing captures a specific era of American history while addressing universal truths about fate, love, and the resilience of the human spirit.

O. Henry (1862 – 1910) was the pen name of American writer William Sydney Porter, a master of the short story famous for his wit, wordplay, and clever twist endings. Regarded as the “American Guy de Maupassant,” his works romanticized the lives of ordinary citizens—shopgirls, clerks, and wanderers—in early 20th-century New York City.

Born in North Carolina, Porter worked as a pharmacist, a Texas ranch hand, and a bank teller before his life took a dramatic turn in 1896 when he was charged with embezzlement. After fleeing to Honduras for a year, he returned to the U.S. and served three years in an Ohio prison. Behind bars, he began writing in earnest to support his daughter, adopting the pseudonym “O. Henry” to shield his identity from publishers and the public.

Following his release, he moved to New York City, where his career exploded. Over the next decade, he produced hundreds of stories at a feverish pace, driven by a deep empathy for the city's “four million” ordinary residents rather than the “four hundred” of high society. Though he died at 47, his immense influence on the short story genre remains unparalleled, and the prestigious O. Henry Award continues to honor his legacy today.