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Liked It “A writer who records America through the eyes of the people, a historical novelist much beloved by generations...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“I didn't read all of this book, just selected short stories. ”
Jane V wrote this review Sunday, November 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
0 of 1 members found this review helpful“ Jen M 3 out of 5 stars In this audiobook collection of 7 O. Henry stories, the narrator takes the listener on two sets of adventures: The New York Stories (disk 1), and the Western Stories (disk 2). From the well known "The Gift of the Magi" to stories of wild west betrayals, the collection displays a wide range of subject matter including love, crime, trickery and distraction of the modern age.
Author, Author Shelf wrote this review Monday, November 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
What brought this a lower rating for me was the narration of Michael Hanson. He has a pleasant, deep voice, but his delivery is done in a quiet, almost plodding way. This made it tough to focus on the stories because my mind was easily distracted. As someone who likes to listen to audiobooks at work or while driving, this made it far too easy to "tune out" in favor of other things, leading me to have to restart certain stories in order to catch on to the story.
That having been said, though, I always really enjoy "The Gift of the Magi" which was a timely story to re-read for this time of year. I also really enjoyed "The Ransom of Red Chief" from the Western Stories disk, which featured a pair of kidnappers and the rambunctious boy they try to ransom. They bite off more than they can chew in choosing this kid! So...4 stars for the stories themselves, 2 for the audio version...middle of the road overall.
Jane V said: Before I started reading the stories I read the introduction to get some help as to which stories might interest me the most. What I thought was funny was that the two men who wrote it basically tell you that the bulk of O. Henry's work just isn't that great. However, they did feel that O. Henry's best stuff (supposedly contained in this edition) puts him in league with the genre's masters.
I liked all of the stories I read, although I liked "A Municipal Report" and "A Blackjack Bargainer" the best because I got the impression the author worked harder on them and that they were richer and more thought-out as a result. My total experience with O. Henry is the five above-referenced stories plus "The Gift of the Magi"; from this limited knowledge I see Henry as being an author interested in the idea of self-sacrifice and in exploring individuals' inner struggles with their vices.”“A writer who records America through the eyes of the people, a historical novelist much beloved by generations...”
Dave H wrote this review Saturday, September 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“My father used to read these to me when I was little.”
Tabitha S wrote this review Friday, September 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“...for she rested on the stair - a young woman of a beauty that should balk even the justice of a poet's imagination.”
Shamanth H wrote this review Friday, August 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The master of the twist; brilliant short stories - The Last Leaf, 11 years after I read the story, still haunts me.”
Maurya P wrote this review Saturday, July 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“nice”
dr.deepa wrote this review Wednesday, June 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“How can you not love the ironic twists of an O'Henry story?”
Kendra F wrote this review Wednesday, April 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Don't we all know a kid or two like "Red Chief"? ”
moik wrote this review Saturday, January 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
