Bill and Sam arrive in the small American town of Summit with only two hundred dollars, but they need more and Sam has an idea for making a lot of ...
read full description
reviews
Nov 27, 2011
Audrie
rated it: 
This short story is quick and to the point, and absolutely hilarious! Red Chief is such a cruel little boy, but you can't help but pity him because he's so distant from his father. How O. Henry came up with such an evil little boy and yet straight forward theme is beyond my understanding.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 15, 2011
1sarah4622
rated it: 
I read this book as a short story and i loved it. it had all of the thigns that a good book should have; comedy, action, and suspense. To sum up the story it is about 2 people who need money fast. so they plan to kidnapp the bank owners son. but yet do they know that he is a evil caniving little boy. so when they do take them they are in for a treat! And the book is about their journey. the reason for the title is becasue they told the little boy that he was the red chirf, and he is being held f
More...
Dec 28, 2011
Needleroozer
rated it:
When I was a kid, my sister and I had a big book that was a collection of short stories. Maybe it was from Reader's Digest. This story was in that big book. Or at least some version of this story was in that book. If the book was from Reader's Digest, it's likely the story was condensed. Isn't that what Reader's Digest is famous for?
In any case, I read this story out of the big book. I also remember the live action version of this story that used to play periodically on Saturday mornin More...
In any case, I read this story out of the big book. I also remember the live action version of this story that used to play periodically on Saturday mornin More...
Sep 23, 2008
O. Henry's humorous, energetic style shows the influence of Mark Twain and Ambrose Bierce. The story tells about two kidnappers, who make off with the young son of a prominent man. They find out that the child is a real nuisance. In the end they agree to pay the boy's father to take him back. - "Sam," says Bill, "I suppose you'll think I'm a renegade. but I couldn't help it. I'm a grown person with masculine proclivities and habits of self-defense, but there is a time when all sys
More...
Sep 09, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
I read this years and years ago but I still laugh and love it today. I believe Disney made a movie about it and expanded upon the idea quite a bit--that might be why I love it so much. Sometimes while working with particulary "difficult and wonderful children" I secretly wonder, if kidnapped, would their parents pay the ransom? Hummmm...?
Oct 14, 2009
Jennifer
rated it: 
This is one of my favorite short stories. Anyone who has children can appreciate this because I think that there hasn't been a time when we haven't thought like the father in this story. It is one of the funniest stories I have ever read.
May 19, 2009
Annie
rated it:
The ransom of Red Chief is my favorite O. Henry story. I first read it as a teenager. Since I have several brothers, at least one of whom could be Red Chief's twin, I really related. This is one of the funniest short stories ever.
Feb 23, 2011
Furball
rated it:
OooOohhh how the story easily reflects our little siblings. :)
THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF is about a little boy (aka "Red Chief") who is kidnapped by two men, Bill and Sam, who want to get money from the boy's father. However, once Bill and Sam holds the Red Chief hostage, things start running amuk when they get pranked and fooled by the Red Chief.
I definitely recommend this to all; it is a light, amusing read. (Not one of those long, droning, NJASKs or SATs short stories. ;))
THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF is about a little boy (aka "Red Chief") who is kidnapped by two men, Bill and Sam, who want to get money from the boy's father. However, once Bill and Sam holds the Red Chief hostage, things start running amuk when they get pranked and fooled by the Red Chief.
I definitely recommend this to all; it is a light, amusing read. (Not one of those long, droning, NJASKs or SATs short stories. ;))
Nov 16, 2011
Lynette
rated it: 
I didn't especially like this one, overall I thought it was kinda lame, but the ending was hilarious, and, I guess, for a school book, it was okay.
I'm 14, and I don't especially recommend this book/short story.
I'm 14, and I don't especially recommend this book/short story.
Jul 26, 2011
David
rated it:
Funny story with a great "O Henry ending", but it takes some suspension of belief. Does anyone believe that two men ruthless enough to kidnap a boy would be as passive in allowing him to reek havoc within their hideout to the extent he does?
Jun 08, 2009
Deshawn
rated it:
This was a funny book.It was about two men holding a young kid up for ransome; The kid's parents are rich. But everything changes when the kid tourtures/plays pranks on the two men.
Jun 11, 2010
Bryan457
rated it:
Two bumbling kidnappers make off with the young son of a rich family only to find out that the boy is a holy terror.
Very funny, great ending.
Very funny, great ending.
Feb 07, 2011
Becky
rated it:
Loved this story as a kid when my Dad would read it aloud on family trips. Even better as a parent. Read this one!
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Feb 24, 2010
Bethany
rated it:
This story is a short, light, and absolutely hilarious read. One of my favorite stories.
Jan 22, 2012
John
rated it:
A (dare I use the word?) cute kidnapping tale from yester-year. Told during a kinder, gentler era where the bad guys had ethics and morals, Bill and Alex don't even contemplate killing the monster instead of returning him to his father. When you contemplate that the kid tried to (literally) scalp Bill, I'm not sure I follow the thinking. If the father wouldn't pay to get his kid back, he clearly didn't want him that badly and everyone would have probably been happier if Red Chief had ended up in
More...
Jan 29, 2012
Anne
rated it:
This book was funny. We watched the old black and white movie of this title on Youtube after we read the story. it's a very quick read.
Jan 22, 2008
Sharon
rated it:
I love short stories. This is one of my favorite O. Henrys. Another that is more difficult to find is "The Pimienta Pancakes."
May 29, 2008
Jeanne
rated it:
I read this years ago, and decided to revisit it. What a fun read! I have known several kids like this...probably was one.
Sep 28, 2007
Lou
rated it:
Hilarious!
Someone made a movie many years ago called, "Savannah Smiles," which is a similar story.
--Wag--
Someone made a movie many years ago called, "Savannah Smiles," which is a similar story.
--Wag--
Oct 02, 2008
Allison
rated it:
6th grade classic. Ohh Henry. Always creating fun foibles combined with incredibly dense writing.
Apr 27, 2008
Gretchen
rated it:
My literature teacher read this aloud to us--I loved it--I have known children like that!!
Dec 16, 2009
Megan
rated it:
Funny. It was probably even better before that crappy movie "Problem Child" came out.
