{"title":"O. Henry","description":"O. Henry (1862-1910) had a short but colourful life. Born William Porter in Greensboro, North Carolina, he initially worked as a pharmacist before moving into journalism. In 1896 he was arrested for embezzling funds while working as a bookkeeper for a bank. In a moment of madness, he absconded on his way to the courthouse before his trial and fled to Honduras for six months. He returned to face trial after learning that his wife was dying of tuberculosis and served three years in jail. While in prison, he adopted the pen name O. Henry, and after his release he found great fame and popularity as a short story writer.","products":[{"product_id":"the-ransom-of-red-chief-and-other-o-henry-stories-for-boys-paperback","title":"The Ransom of Red Chief: And Other O. Henry Stories for Boys - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eO. Henry's short stories brim with lively wit and wisdom, sudden twist endings and amusing characterizations, plus memorable moral lessons. An iconic author at his height in the early 20th century, O. Henry was industrious and prolific, turning out short stories at astonishing speed. This anthology contains 24 of his finest tales, with highlights being a parody of Sherlock Holmes named 'Shamrock Jolnes', and send-ups of certain frivolous yet monied city dwellers. The breezy dialogue and descriptive prose tend to be witty and playful, with the author occasionally venturing to the satirical in his plotting. The titular story is among O. Henry's most famous; a pair of opportunistic crooks kidnap the son of a wealthy Alabama businessman, hoping to collect a hefty ransom. They are soon driven to their wits end however, when the boy turns out to be a wildly misbehaving brat. The boy's father makes a counteroffer: for a modest sum, he'll take the boy back. The kidnappers agree and the youngster is returned.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50101526331615,"sku":"9780359747658","price":20.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/aUpiUzJ2elNuMFBoQnU4WE9PNUFqZz09.webp?v=1781071660"},{"product_id":"cabbages-and-kings-paperback","title":"Cabbages and Kings - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eCabbages and Kings\u003c\/i\u003e (1904) is a novel by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive in Honduras, the interconnected stories that make up \u003ci\u003eCabbages and Kings\u003c\/i\u003e--the title refers to a line from Lewis Carroll's \u003ci\u003eThrough the Looking Glass\u003c\/i\u003e--address themes of revolution, imperialism, exploitation, and greed. The novel is significant not only for launching O. Henry's career as a successful professional writer, but for coining the term \"banana republic,\" now frequently used to describe the influence of American fruit companies over such nations as Honduras. In the fictional nation of Anchuria, the political reality and social life of its people are under attack--from within and without. An American businessman in the coastal town of Coralio receives a telegram from the capital city of San Mateo announcing that there has been a revolution. President Miraflores has fled to the coast, taking with him $100,000 from the federal reserve. Sensing opportunity, Goodwin gathers a posse to hunt down the fugitive leader, tracking him to a nondescript inn in Coralio. Cornered, Miraflores kills himself, and Goodwin elopes with the President's lover, taking the money with them. Although a liberal government has successfully risen to power, widespread corruption and deep poverty threaten to thrust Anchuria into further chaos. \u003ci\u003eCabbages and Kings\u003c\/i\u003e is a collection of stories centered on this troubled tropical nation, where greed supersedes honor and the interests of the people are sold to the highest bidder. Despite or perhaps because of its critique of American influence in Latin America, \u003ci\u003eCabbages and Kings\u003c\/i\u003e was a critical and commercial success for O. Henry, establishing his reputation as a master storyteller with a profound sense of right and wrong, and everything in between. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of O. Henry's \u003ci\u003eCabbages and Kings\u003c\/i\u003e is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the fictitious Central American nation of Anchuria, a proud people crumbles under the weight of revolution and the maneuverings of American fruit conglomerates. \u003ci\u003eCabbages and Kings\u003c\/i\u003e is a novel made up of loosely connected stories by O. Henry, whose time as a fugitive in Honduras inspired this classic work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50101570765023,"sku":"9781513269931","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/MkVCZjBEWnpXQUY2SDJvWGFhRUNVQT09.webp?v=1781071743"},{"product_id":"the-gift-of-the-magi-hardcover","title":"The Gift of the Magi - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntroducing Little Clothbound Classics: irresistible, mini editions of short stories, novellas and essays from the world's greatest writers, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA Penguin Classic Hardcover \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eO. Henry is one of the most popular American writers of the twentieth century and a true master of the short story. This selection of tales ranges from Christmas in New York to the cattle-lands of Texas, taking in con men, clerks, shop assistants, tramps and tricksters. They all highlight O. Henry's comic eye, his gift for evoking speech and setting, and his unique approach to life's quirks of fate.","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50101595341023,"sku":"9780241597019","price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/n4rVS7u2599780241597019.webp?v=1781071793"}],"url":"https:\/\/blackandbarhe.com\/collections\/o-henry.oembed","provider":"Black \u0026 Barhe Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}