Goodreads asked James Carrol:

Who is your favorite fictional couple, and why?

James Carrol One of my favorite couples in American fiction is O Henry's "Gift of the Magi". For me, this beautiful young couple in their love for each other is a short tail of the pure struggle of sacrifice. For their secret attempt to bless or endow ones partner with the "gift" which is from the soul, each one however, with heart "misstep" can not reflect the congenial nature and reality of their mystic relationship. The practices of love and life are of a serendipitous consequence, but O Henry shows the readers the true intent of the characters in his story...well. With all of their flaws, I like the way the author uses the elements of circumstance to create and weave
an interesting plot with the added ambition of his characters driving the storyline all the way to the surprise ending.

flag