Filled with the trademark wit and clever twist endings, 'Postscripts' by O. Henry is a collection of short stories that showcases the author's mastery of the surprise ending. Each story is a perfect blend of humor and poignancy, with characters who come alive on the page. O. Henry's writing style is marked by his use of irony and wordplay, making each story a delightful journey for the reader. Set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the book captures the essence of urban life during that period. O. Henry, known for his ability to craft engaging and entertaining stories, drew inspiration from his own experiences living in New York City. His keen observations of human nature and his knack for storytelling shine through in 'Postscripts.' The author's background as a journalist and his talent for creating relatable characters add depth to the stories in this collection. I highly recommend 'Postscripts' to readers who enjoy classic literature with a twist. O. Henry's unique storytelling style and unforgettable characters make this book a must-read for anyone who appreciates the art of a well-crafted short story.
Such volumes as Cabbages and Kings (1904) and The Four Million (1906) collect short stories, noted for their often surprising endings, of American writer William Sydney Porter, who used the pen name O. Henry.
His biography shows where he found inspiration for his characters. His era produced their voices and his language.
Mother of three-year-old Porter died from tuberculosis. He left school at fifteen years of age and worked for five years in drugstore of his uncle and then for two years at a Texas sheep ranch.
In 1884, he went to Austin, where he worked in a real estate office and a church choir and spent four years as a draftsman in the general land office. His wife and firstborn died, but daughter Margaret survived him.
He failed to establish a small humorous weekly and afterward worked in poorly-run bank. When its accounts balanced not, people blamed and fired him.
In Houston, he worked for a few years until, ordered to stand trial for embezzlement, he fled to New Orleans and thence Honduras.
Two years later, he returned on account of illness of his wife. Apprehended, Porter served a few months more than three years in a penitentiary in Columbus, Ohio. During his incarceration, he composed ten short stories, including A Blackjack Bargainer, The Enchanted Kiss, and The Duplicity of Hargraves.
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he sent manuscripts to New York editors. In the spring of 1902, Ainslee's Magazine offered him a regular income if he moved to New York.
People rewarded other persons financially more. A Retrieved Reformation about the safe-cracker Jimmy Valentine got $250; six years later, $500 for dramatic rights, which gave over $100,000 royalties for playwright Paul Armstrong. Many stories have been made into films.