What do you think?
Rate this book
Holiday Classics by O. Henry
Length -- 51 mins
When it comes to the holidays, no story brings us back to the true spirit of giving like O. Henry’s classic "The Gift of the Magi". So this year we’ve asked some of your favorite Audible narrators—Audie Award winners Katherine Kellgren, Oliver Wyman, and Jonathan Davis—to bring to life this timeless tale, plus two more of O. Henry’s gems, "The Cop and the Anthem" and "The Last Leaf", in this handcrafted holiday collection.
We hope you enjoy these stories straight from the heart of O. Henry’s New York City hangout as our gift to you.
From all of us here at Audible, happy holidays!
Public Domain (P)2010 Audible, Inc.
When it comes to the holidays, no story brings us back to the true spirit of giving like O. Henry’s classic "The Gift of the Magi". So this year we’ve asked some of your favorite Audible narrators—Audie Award winners Katherine Kellgren, Oliver Wyman, and Jonathan Davis—to bring to life this timeless tale, plus two more of O. Henry’s gems, "The Cop and the Anthem" and "The Last Leaf", in this handcrafted holiday collection.
We hope you enjoy these stories straight from the heart of O. Henry’s New York City hangout as our gift to you.
From all of us here at Audible, happy holidays!
Public Domain (P)2010 Audible, Inc.
Audible Audio
First published December 9, 2010
5 people are currently reading
640 people want to read
About the author
O. Henry
2,917 books1,876 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
December 23, 2020
Good stories, well read. Includes The Gift of the Magi.
January 19, 2026
Best of O. Henry read by the best of the narrators!
Oliver Wyman was great as always!
Oliver Wyman was great as always!
April 5, 2020
Review to follow
December 9, 2020
It's the most wonderful time of the year....
True to tradition i read a couple of Christmas stories at this time of year and this one has been in my audible library for a long time.
3 Short stories by O.Henry in a de-luxe audible production with narrations by Katherine Kellgren, Oliver Wyman, and Jonathan Davis.
The Cop and the Anthem - A quirky tale about an homeless man who tries to get arrested to spend winter in a warm prison (3 stars)
The Gift of the Magi - One of the best known O.Henry short stories, a truly touching tale about true love and the joy of giving. (4 stars)
The Last Leaf - A tale of a sick artist hanging on to life like the last leaf in autumn and an other artist who sacrifices everything to help her and in the process achieves his life's ambition (5 stars)
True to tradition i read a couple of Christmas stories at this time of year and this one has been in my audible library for a long time.
3 Short stories by O.Henry in a de-luxe audible production with narrations by Katherine Kellgren, Oliver Wyman, and Jonathan Davis.
The Cop and the Anthem - A quirky tale about an homeless man who tries to get arrested to spend winter in a warm prison (3 stars)
The Gift of the Magi - One of the best known O.Henry short stories, a truly touching tale about true love and the joy of giving. (4 stars)
The Last Leaf - A tale of a sick artist hanging on to life like the last leaf in autumn and an other artist who sacrifices everything to help her and in the process achieves his life's ambition (5 stars)
December 19, 2024
What a trilogy of festive misery!
I'd wanted to read Gift of the Magi for years, so I thought let's have it sandwiched between two other yuletide stories. I wish I never bothered.
The Cop and the Anthem - a dreary story of a homeless man who wishes to be locked up over the winter as it's warmer than being on the streets. Sadly, there was ne'er a tear to be jerked over this story of how incompetent the NYPD are, and how homeless people are criminals.
Gift of the Magi - I knew of the story, so was expecting the melancholic tale to be just that. What I didn't expect was that it would be dull as well. When two people give up what means the most to them for the other, it should be captivating. Alas, I was unmoved by the two characters. If I was Della and got a lovely chain for Jim's watch, I'd expect something more thoughtful than a set of combs in return.
The Last Leaf - picture the headline "pompous bohemian gets pneumonia and thinks she's going to die but doesn't because another pompous bohemian paints a leaf on a wall", and you have a synopsis of the story. The next headline would be "doctor suggests woman will have more chance of survival if she talks about mean and handbags". Oh how I miss the old days.
All in all, I had a much better time writing this review than I did hearing these stories.
I'd wanted to read Gift of the Magi for years, so I thought let's have it sandwiched between two other yuletide stories. I wish I never bothered.
The Cop and the Anthem - a dreary story of a homeless man who wishes to be locked up over the winter as it's warmer than being on the streets. Sadly, there was ne'er a tear to be jerked over this story of how incompetent the NYPD are, and how homeless people are criminals.
Gift of the Magi - I knew of the story, so was expecting the melancholic tale to be just that. What I didn't expect was that it would be dull as well. When two people give up what means the most to them for the other, it should be captivating. Alas, I was unmoved by the two characters. If I was Della and got a lovely chain for Jim's watch, I'd expect something more thoughtful than a set of combs in return.
The Last Leaf - picture the headline "pompous bohemian gets pneumonia and thinks she's going to die but doesn't because another pompous bohemian paints a leaf on a wall", and you have a synopsis of the story. The next headline would be "doctor suggests woman will have more chance of survival if she talks about mean and handbags". Oh how I miss the old days.
All in all, I had a much better time writing this review than I did hearing these stories.
November 2, 2017
Short Stories that Inspire
This book contains three short stories by O. Henry. The narration is good and the stories inspire the listener. O. Henry writes about human sentiments with delicacy. The stories were selected for the holiday season but are timeless classics. Great and well crafted audiobook.
This book contains three short stories by O. Henry. The narration is good and the stories inspire the listener. O. Henry writes about human sentiments with delicacy. The stories were selected for the holiday season but are timeless classics. Great and well crafted audiobook.
December 27, 2022
The short collection of short-stories contains, "The Cop and the Anthem", "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Last Leaf". Magnificent stories, all set in New York. Brilliant read of windy cold evening of the Holiday season this year, with a nice hot cup of tea in hand. I cannot much comment on the narration, but yeah! They gave a subtle sense of Joy.
December 21, 2019
I really enjoyed these three short stories by the author O. Henry. One of them seemed familiar but I can't remember if I read it at one time as I am not familiar with the work by him.
December 27, 2015
Excellent readings of three classic short stories: The Cop and the Anthem, The Gift of the Magi, and The Last Leaf. 50 years or so ago I read all of O. Henry's short stories, and of course these three (along with The Ransom of Red Chief) are probably some of his best known and I remembered the endings, but getting there was half the fun. The flavor of turn-of-the-century New York that O.Henry infuses into his writing makes these especially charming. Highly recommended for a nice break around the holidays.
December 27, 2014
This is a brief Audible collection by the American short story master O. Henry. Included is the very well-known "The Gift of the Magi", and two stories I had not previously read: "The Cop and the Anthem" and "The Last Leaf." All are beautiful stories that are particularly nice to experience during the holiday season. Narrators Katherine Kellgren, Oliver Wyman, and Jonathan Davis are all excellent.
December 27, 2014
Three touching and memorable stories comprise this volume of holiday classics, narrated superbly by some of Audible's best narrators. Though short, it was a very entertaining listen, as each story kept me interested and really transcended its historical time frame. Definitely a worthwhile listen.
December 8, 2022
"The Cop and the Anthem" - Narrated by Katherine Kellgren
"The Gift of the Magi" - Narrated by Oliver Wyman
" The Last Leaf" - Narrated by Jonathan Davis
4 stars
"The Gift of the Magi" - Narrated by Oliver Wyman
" The Last Leaf" - Narrated by Jonathan Davis
4 stars
December 22, 2016
Oh my . . . classic holiday stories I've read over - and over and over - again during my sixty-seven years. In sixth grade, at Brookhurst Elementary School's holiday program, I recited/read O'Henry's classic *The Last Leaf* (included in this book). Back then, I - miraculously - made it through to the end without totally dissolving into an inconsolable bundle of tears. Old age has toughened me up! *sniffle*.
September 2, 2020
3 holiday classics by O. Henry, though only The Gift of the Maji seems well known enough to be called a classic. The Cop and the Anthem is about a vagrant who has a plan, then an epiphany, and then a solution. Nothing is too special about this story. The Last Leaf, is a predictable story that does not hold up well to time, unless one thinks that a man or some new clothes would be the impetus to give a woman the will to live. This collection is not bad, but I did not care for it.
February 9, 2023
The Cop and the Anthem - An ironic comedy of a homeless trying to get jailed.
The Gift of the Magi - A couple buying gifts for each other at cross-purposes. I've heard/seen this many times but didn't know it was originally written by this author.
The Last Leaf - A sad story about an artist dying from pneumonia whilst saving another from the same.
All beautifully written.
The Gift of the Magi - A couple buying gifts for each other at cross-purposes. I've heard/seen this many times but didn't know it was originally written by this author.
The Last Leaf - A sad story about an artist dying from pneumonia whilst saving another from the same.
All beautifully written.
November 27, 2017
Master wordsmith. I've heard variations of these stories before, but never the originals, and suddenly I find myself wanting to read more. O. Henry is as much of a poet as my boy Washington Irving. I love his way with words. Superb production.
November 18, 2018
These stories aren't exactly cheerful. I'm also not not sure whether I enjoyed it or not.
December 17, 2018
A little on the dark side for my taste though I do love The Gift of the Magi.
December 20, 2019
My only bone to pick with this superb collection is that The Last Leaf is the final story. Good Lord I was a sobbing mess at the end. The other stories would have ended the collection on a smile!!
December 10, 2020
How can you beat O.Henry? His stories are the best. He’s the master.
December 2, 2021
Love, love.
December 24, 2021
The Cop and the Anthem: 4 stars
The Gift of the Magi: 5 stars
The Last Leaf: 4.5 stars
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
The Gift of the Magi: 5 stars
The Last Leaf: 4.5 stars
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
January 11, 2022
Three very different but great stories.
December 9, 2022
I have loved these stories ever since my father shared them as his favorites. But now with amazing narrators, the stories come to life in a new way. A great addition to the Christmas season!
May 26, 2023
Surprisingly emotionally powerful, even “The Gift of the Magi.”
December 12, 2023
A short, free listen. Interesting to see how these stories from over 100 years ago hold-up today.
December 30, 2023
Oh the bliss of language and the silly hopes and sweetness, singing gloriously and weeping sadly winter wind blowing hope of O. Henry
October 2, 2024
Three of O’Henry’s very best stories, read by three talented narrators. You need not wait for the holidays to love this short treat of a book.
December 5, 2024
Intriguing stories with a sting of sadness. I enjoyed this book of tales and it definitely gave some food for thought.
Katherine Kellgren is a fantastic narrator.
Katherine Kellgren is a fantastic narrator.
December 27, 2024
Revisiting the classics for the holiday season.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews