Cabbages and Kings

O. Henry

2020年1月 · Otbebookpublishing

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この電子書籍について

Cabbages and Kings is a 1904 novel made up of interlinked short stories, written by O. Henry and set in a fictitious Central American country called the Republic of Anchuria. It takes its title from the poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter", featured in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass. Its plot contains famous elements in the poem: shoes and ships and sealing wax, cabbages and kings. It was inspired by the characters and situations that O. Henry encountered in Honduras in the late 1890s.

著者について

O. Henry, the pen name of William Sydney Porter (1862-1910), remains one of America's most beloved short story writers, renowned for his wit, wordplay, and twist endings. Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, Porter's life was as colorful and unpredictable as his stories. After moving to Texas, he worked various jobs, including as a pharmacist, draftsman, bank teller, and journalist. However, it was his stint as a bank teller that led to a significant turning point: he was accused of embezzlement and subsequently served three years in federal prison.It was during his incarceration that Porter truly honed his craft, writing stories to support his daughter and adopting the pseudonym O. Henry. His experiences and observations from this period deeply influenced his writing, infusing it with a sense of realism and empathy for the downtrodden.O. Henry's literary contributions are vast, with over 600 short stories to his name. His works often depict the lives of ordinary people in New York City, capturing the essence of early 20th-century urban life. His unique narrative style, characterized by clever twists and ironic endings, has left an indelible mark on the short story genre, influencing contemporary writers like Jeffrey Archer and Roald Dahl.Despite his literary success, O. Henry's life was marred by personal struggles, including alcoholism and financial instability. Yet, his ability to find humor and humanity in the most challenging circumstances continues to resonate with readers today. His stories, filled with warmth, wit, and wisdom, offer timeless reflections on the human condition, making O. Henry a pivotal figure in American literature.