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Whirligigs [with Biographical Introduction]
Whirligigs [with Biographical Introduction]
441 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1910
33 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
O. Henry
2,924 books1,856 followersSuch 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 1899, McClure's published Whistling Dick's Christmas Story and Georgia's Ruling .
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.
In less than eight years, he became a bestselling author of collections of short stories. Cabbages and Kings came first in 1904 The Four Million, and The Trimmed Lamp and Heart of the West followed in 1907, and The Voice of the City in 1908, Roads of Destiny and Options in 1909, Strictly Business and Whirligigs in 1910 followed.
Posthumously published collections include The Gentle Grafter about the swindler, Jeff Peters; Rolling Stones , Waifs and Strays , and in 1936, unsigned stories, followed.
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.
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 1899, McClure's published Whistling Dick's Christmas Story and Georgia's Ruling .
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.
In less than eight years, he became a bestselling author of collections of short stories. Cabbages and Kings came first in 1904 The Four Million, and The Trimmed Lamp and Heart of the West followed in 1907, and The Voice of the City in 1908, Roads of Destiny and Options in 1909, Strictly Business and Whirligigs in 1910 followed.
Posthumously published collections include The Gentle Grafter about the swindler, Jeff Peters; Rolling Stones , Waifs and Strays , and in 1936, unsigned stories, followed.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 18, 2014
This is one of the best volumes of O. Henry's. Like all of his books, some stories are better than others. But none are complete duds and some are real gems. My favorites in this book are "Calloway's Code", "Tommy's Burglar" and "A little Local Colour".
In "Calloway's Code", a reporter covering the Russo-Japanese War wants to get a story by the Japanese censors. He comes up with an ingenious code, but back in New York, his editor can't make sense of it. He consults all sorts of newspapermen, but no one can crack it. Then an unassuming reporter looks at it and realizes Calloway's made use of all the newspaper cliches. "Hotly" stands for "contested", "brute" for "force", "beggars" for "description", and so on.
"Tommy's Burglar" is also about cliches, this one the sentimental story of how a burglar is confronted by a small boy as he steals the few valuables of a family of modest means. The boy offers him a meal and then feeling guilty and ashamed, he becomes a new man. But in this version, the characters know they are in the story and any sentimentality is dispatched with haste. This is true meta-fiction at its best. I wish all the anthologies containing "Gift of the Magi" would be forced to replace it with this tale.
"A little Local Colour" a fellow tells his friend he wants to experience the local color of the Bowery. When they come upon a man spewing all the slang he'd come to expect from reading about it, he learns the man is actually a college professor given to affectation. When they meet a real man of the Bowery, he uses impeccable English and is annoyed at the insinuation he'd do anything else. Here O. Henry is making fun of the way writers', newspapers, magazines, etc, had made dialect into a fetish. What might have been refreshing with the advent Tom Swayer had become both tired and preposterous.
In "Calloway's Code", a reporter covering the Russo-Japanese War wants to get a story by the Japanese censors. He comes up with an ingenious code, but back in New York, his editor can't make sense of it. He consults all sorts of newspapermen, but no one can crack it. Then an unassuming reporter looks at it and realizes Calloway's made use of all the newspaper cliches. "Hotly" stands for "contested", "brute" for "force", "beggars" for "description", and so on.
"Tommy's Burglar" is also about cliches, this one the sentimental story of how a burglar is confronted by a small boy as he steals the few valuables of a family of modest means. The boy offers him a meal and then feeling guilty and ashamed, he becomes a new man. But in this version, the characters know they are in the story and any sentimentality is dispatched with haste. This is true meta-fiction at its best. I wish all the anthologies containing "Gift of the Magi" would be forced to replace it with this tale.
"A little Local Colour" a fellow tells his friend he wants to experience the local color of the Bowery. When they come upon a man spewing all the slang he'd come to expect from reading about it, he learns the man is actually a college professor given to affectation. When they meet a real man of the Bowery, he uses impeccable English and is annoyed at the insinuation he'd do anything else. Here O. Henry is making fun of the way writers', newspapers, magazines, etc, had made dialect into a fetish. What might have been refreshing with the advent Tom Swayer had become both tired and preposterous.
September 8, 2025
ENGLISH: 24 short stories by O.Henry. This is the second time I've read them. I have liked best the following eight stories:
In the first place, The ransom of Red Chief and Georgia's ruling. Next The hypotheses of failure, "Girl", One dollar's worth, A newspaper story, Blind man's holiday and Madame Bo-Peep of the ranches.
ESPAÑOL: 24 relatos cortos de O.Henry. Esta es la segunda vez que los he leído. Estos son los ocho relatos que más me han gustado:
En primer lugar, El rescate del Jefe Rojo y La sentencia de Georgia. A continuación, Las hipótesis del fracaso, "Chica", Por valor de un dólar, Un artículo periodístico, La fiesta de un ciego y Madame Bo-Peep de los ranchos.
In the first place, The ransom of Red Chief and Georgia's ruling. Next The hypotheses of failure, "Girl", One dollar's worth, A newspaper story, Blind man's holiday and Madame Bo-Peep of the ranches.
ESPAÑOL: 24 relatos cortos de O.Henry. Esta es la segunda vez que los he leído. Estos son los ocho relatos que más me han gustado:
En primer lugar, El rescate del Jefe Rojo y La sentencia de Georgia. A continuación, Las hipótesis del fracaso, "Chica", Por valor de un dólar, Un artículo periodístico, La fiesta de un ciego y Madame Bo-Peep de los ranchos.
Read
March 28, 2018Great title! [”Whirligigs” is O. Henry’s 10th book, released in 1910 – the year he died.] Apparently O. Henry never wrote a novel! (Though de Maupassant did.) He has a magnificent, erratic style I am tempted to call “operatic pulp”:
“Hartley pressed the ‘McComus’ button. The door latch clicked spasmodically – now hospitably, now doubtfully, as though in anxiety whether it might be admitting friends or duns. Hartley entered and began to climb the stairs after the manner of those who seek their friends in city flat-houses – which is the manner of a boy who climbs an apple-tree, stopping when he comes upon what he wants.”
That’s from “’Girl.’” I read this book slowly, at my dad’s house, and have forgotten this story, which is the sixth in the collection.…
Part Two
Now I remember! “’Girl’” is a sexual joke. Hartley, a 29 year old broker, appears to be having an affair with a radiant young woman named Vivienne. He hires a detective to track her down, visits her in her apartment, says things like: “My dear girl, have I not told you that you shall have everything that your heart can desire that is in my power to give you?”
It turns out he’s hiring Vivienne as a cook!
“Hartley pressed the ‘McComus’ button. The door latch clicked spasmodically – now hospitably, now doubtfully, as though in anxiety whether it might be admitting friends or duns. Hartley entered and began to climb the stairs after the manner of those who seek their friends in city flat-houses – which is the manner of a boy who climbs an apple-tree, stopping when he comes upon what he wants.”
That’s from “’Girl.’” I read this book slowly, at my dad’s house, and have forgotten this story, which is the sixth in the collection.…
Part Two
Now I remember! “’Girl’” is a sexual joke. Hartley, a 29 year old broker, appears to be having an affair with a radiant young woman named Vivienne. He hires a detective to track her down, visits her in her apartment, says things like: “My dear girl, have I not told you that you shall have everything that your heart can desire that is in my power to give you?”
It turns out he’s hiring Vivienne as a cook!
Want to read
August 5, 2012Henry, O.
The Complete Works of O. Henry
In compilation only.
1) The World and the Door
2) The Theory and the Hound
3) The Hypotheses of Failure
4) Calloway's Code
5) A Matter of Mean Elevation
6) "Girl"
7) Sociology in Serge and Straw
8) The Ransom of Red Chief
9) The Marry Month of May
10) A Technical Error
11) Suite Homes and Their Romance
12) The Whirligig of Life
13) A Sacrifice Hit
14) The Roads We Take
15) A Blackjack Bargainer
16) The Song and the Sergeant
17) One Dollar's Worth
18) A Newspaper Story
19) Tommy's Burglar
20) A Chaparrel Christmas Gift
21) A Little Local Color
22) Georgia's Ruling
23) Blind Man's Holiday
24) Madame Bo-Beep, of the Ranches
The Complete Works of O. Henry
In compilation only.
1) The World and the Door
2) The Theory and the Hound
3) The Hypotheses of Failure
4) Calloway's Code
5) A Matter of Mean Elevation
6) "Girl"
7) Sociology in Serge and Straw
8) The Ransom of Red Chief
9) The Marry Month of May
10) A Technical Error
11) Suite Homes and Their Romance
12) The Whirligig of Life
13) A Sacrifice Hit
14) The Roads We Take
15) A Blackjack Bargainer
16) The Song and the Sergeant
17) One Dollar's Worth
18) A Newspaper Story
19) Tommy's Burglar
20) A Chaparrel Christmas Gift
21) A Little Local Color
22) Georgia's Ruling
23) Blind Man's Holiday
24) Madame Bo-Beep, of the Ranches
August 11, 2016
Whirligigs offers some of O. Henry's best short stories; complete with quirky characters, witty romps with clever twists, and "I did not see that coming" endings. Included in the book is the short titled The Ransom of Red Chief, one of my all-time favorites. A public domain book, free at: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1595
October 13, 2012
My copy is very old. Published in 1910. O. Henry short stories - some very familiar, some I had never read. His use of words - though not always easy to read quickly - are worth taking the time to read carefully. Some descriptions made me laugh out loud. And then there is always the twist at the end of his stories. Take your time. If you love words, dip in.
February 14, 2017
Lovely short stories., most are in fact very short. O.Henry writes lovingly about every one of his characters.
January 1, 2016
very clever and intriguing stories!
June 30, 2016
Great stories. Great author.
February 16, 2018
This was another great short-story book by O. Henry. Lots of stories from the 1800's, many on the frontier, many humorous. This book included the famous story, "The Ransom of Red Chief."
May 12, 2025
O. Henry's "Whirligigs" short story collection really has a variety, some enjoyable and some are my favorites. Reviewed separately. Once again O. Henry does not disappoint!
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 1781
O. Henry’s ninth collection was published the year he died in 1910. The book offers 24 short stories, including the tale The Whirligig of Life, about a mountain couple who decide to divorce and the eventthat lead to their remarriage told from the perspective of the judge.
-THE WORLD AND THE DOOR -A love story?
-THE THEORY AND THE HOUND -To find a killer.
-THE HYPOTHESES OF FAILURE-Divorce anyone?!
-CALLOWAY’S CODE-a young reporter
- A MATTER OF MEAN ELEVATION “-a woman is captured needing rescue is she all that?
"GIRL” -A mistress?
-SOCIOLOGY IN SERGE AND STRAW- What does it matter where one start out in life?
-THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF - A miscalculation in abduction
-THE MARRY MONTH OF MAY-Marriage but what about the daughter?
- A TECHNICAL ERROR- A criminal escape?
-SUITE HOMES AND THEIR ROMANCE - Vices in marriage!
-THE WHIRLIGIG OF LIFE- A rural poor couple seek a divorce.
-A SACRIFICE HIT - A miscalculation again!
-THE ROADS WE TAKE -A day dream?
-A BLACKJACK BARGAINER -To sell your name!
-THE SONG AND THE SERGEANT-To act or not to act?
-ONE DOLLAR’S WORTH- A threat
-A NEWSPAPER STORY -A long train of strange occurrencs.
-TOMMY’S BURGLAR -A boy sees a criminal
-A CHAPARRAL CHRISTMAS-A criminal Santa Claus looks for revenge.
-A LITTLE LOCAL COLOUR- Finding the true NYC!
-GEORGIA’S RULING-A father honor’s his daughter’s wish finally.
-BLIND MAN’S HOLIDAY- Two find love but suddenly one wonders if he was too rash.
-MADAME BO-PEEP, OF THE RANCHES- A rich widow suddenly loses almost everything but gains much more.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 1781
O. Henry’s ninth collection was published the year he died in 1910. The book offers 24 short stories, including the tale The Whirligig of Life, about a mountain couple who decide to divorce and the eventthat lead to their remarriage told from the perspective of the judge.
-THE WORLD AND THE DOOR -A love story?
-THE THEORY AND THE HOUND -To find a killer.
-THE HYPOTHESES OF FAILURE-Divorce anyone?!
-CALLOWAY’S CODE-a young reporter
- A MATTER OF MEAN ELEVATION “-a woman is captured needing rescue is she all that?
"GIRL” -A mistress?
-SOCIOLOGY IN SERGE AND STRAW- What does it matter where one start out in life?
-THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF - A miscalculation in abduction
-THE MARRY MONTH OF MAY-Marriage but what about the daughter?
- A TECHNICAL ERROR- A criminal escape?
-SUITE HOMES AND THEIR ROMANCE - Vices in marriage!
-THE WHIRLIGIG OF LIFE- A rural poor couple seek a divorce.
-A SACRIFICE HIT - A miscalculation again!
-THE ROADS WE TAKE -A day dream?
-A BLACKJACK BARGAINER -To sell your name!
-THE SONG AND THE SERGEANT-To act or not to act?
-ONE DOLLAR’S WORTH- A threat
-A NEWSPAPER STORY -A long train of strange occurrencs.
-TOMMY’S BURGLAR -A boy sees a criminal
-A CHAPARRAL CHRISTMAS-A criminal Santa Claus looks for revenge.
-A LITTLE LOCAL COLOUR- Finding the true NYC!
-GEORGIA’S RULING-A father honor’s his daughter’s wish finally.
-BLIND MAN’S HOLIDAY- Two find love but suddenly one wonders if he was too rash.
-MADAME BO-PEEP, OF THE RANCHES- A rich widow suddenly loses almost everything but gains much more.
June 19, 2021
This collection was like other collections I have read when it comes to romance, it was sweet and really romantic. The rest of the stories are less romantic and more dramatic and deeper in meaning, which is a plus for me. Some of them with subjects that are not very interesting to me, but I kept reading because I like Henry’s style.
November 28, 2020
A good collection of stories. I really enjoyed reading it.
June 30, 2024
An OK short story, not one of O. Henry's best. Here, in a remote Tennessee town, a married couple asks a local judge to divorce them. The following actions are predictable but sort-of sweet.
April 17, 2025
na jedvite jade.. nije loše ali nije ni zanimljivo te ne može biti ni dobro
Want to read
August 17, 2025Read so far:
The World and the Door --
The Theory and the Hound --
*The Hypotheses of Failure --
*Calloway's Code --
A Matter of Mean Elevation --
*Girl --
Sociology in Serge and Straw --
The Ransom of Red Chief --3
*The Marry Month of May --
*A Technical Error --
Suite Homes and Their Romance --
The Whirligig of Life --3
*A Sacrifice Hit --
The Roads We Take --
A Blackjack Bargainer --3
The Song and the Sergeant --
One Dollar's Worth --
*A Newspaper Story --
*Tommy's Burglar --
A Chaparral Christmas Gift --3
*A Little Local Color --
Georgia's Ruling --
*Blind Man's Holiday --
*Madame Bo Peep of The Ranches --
The World and the Door --
The Theory and the Hound --
*The Hypotheses of Failure --
*Calloway's Code --
A Matter of Mean Elevation --
*Girl --
Sociology in Serge and Straw --
The Ransom of Red Chief --3
*The Marry Month of May --
*A Technical Error --
Suite Homes and Their Romance --
The Whirligig of Life --3
*A Sacrifice Hit --
The Roads We Take --
A Blackjack Bargainer --3
The Song and the Sergeant --
One Dollar's Worth --
*A Newspaper Story --
*Tommy's Burglar --
A Chaparral Christmas Gift --3
*A Little Local Color --
Georgia's Ruling --
*Blind Man's Holiday --
*Madame Bo Peep of The Ranches --
December 7, 2020
There used to be a chain email in the early 00's to explain why America was in debt with a $10 bill transferring hands several times with no real value or exchange of goods. I am now convinced it is a copycat of this story.
September 25, 2020
A real "country" couple goes through the "ringer" of divorce only to be remarried the next day....
November 4, 2008
I only read half of the book and decided that was enough. Didn't care for it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews