A review by gautamgopalk
The Trimmed Lamp and Other Stories of the Four Million by O. Henry

funny lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Trimmed Lamp is a collection of 25 short stories by O. Henry, set in New York city. There are some extremely well written and entertaining stories like The Pendulum, Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen, According to their Lights and The Last Leaf. This collection also contains some thought provoking stories like A Harlem Tragedy, "The Guilty Party" and Elsie in New York. Since this set of stories was written after The Four Million, the comparison is inevitable. The short stories in The Four Million were much better, since The Trimmed Lamp is a mixed bag with some boring stories sprinkled amidst the rest unlike the former. The stories are quick and easy to read but most of the stories lack the punch and humor that one might expect after reading some of the classics produced by this author.