Reviews

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

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rose_celeste's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

book_concierge's review against another edition

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5.0

O Henry was a master of the short-story format, and it's a pity that he's not regularly taught in high school any longer. This is the classic Christmas tale of sacrifice, love and giving. The date read here refers to when our book club discussed it; but I first read in the early 1960s and have read it several times since.

teatime_and_reading's review against another edition

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inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.25

imme_van_gorp's review against another edition

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3.0

➛First read: August 2022 | ★3.0 stars
➛Second read: November 2023 | ★3.0 stars

This is a story about love and poverty, and the message behind it is really quite sweet.

Two people, very much in love, want to buy each other a Christmas present, but have no money to spare. To get their lover a gift anyway, they both sell their most prized possession.
However, they eventually find out that neither can use the gift the other bought because they sold their own possessions. This could have been a pretty depressing revelation, but no; they're both still really happy because it was actually the thought and sacrifice that counted.
They each agree that such beautiful selflessness and such unwavering devotion was something money could never buy. Thus, even though they were both ‘worse’ off in the end, they most definitely did not feel like it.

badseedgirl's review against another edition

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3.0

Traditionally I do not enjoy Authors who write novels with heavy handed moral being hammered into my head with a 50 lbs. mallet, but in O. Henry's case I will make a exception. This story of what one is willing to sacrifice for true love is touching. What can I say I love schmaltz and Heavy handed Christmas tales.