The Gentle Grafter

by O. Henry

Overview

The Gentle Grafter (1907) is a collection of fourteen short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and prisoner, these tales follow the escapades of two professional con artists whose humor and storytelling ability illuminate the nature of wealth and crime in early twentieth century America. In “Modern Rural Sports,” con-man Jeff Peters recalls a job in a rural Western town where, in need of money, he devised a plan with his friend Andy Tucker to steal from a humble farmer. When he shows up to the man’s farm, however, Jeff is surprised to find a well-dressed, well-mannered gentleman who lives in an impressive home with modern amenities. As he attempts his con, Jeff is rebuffed and ignored by a man too busy with gambling, stocks, and purchasing to entertain his unwanted company. Defeated, he returns to Andy, who comes up with a method of his own. “Conscience in Art” follows these characters to Pittsburgh, where they hope to trick one of the city’s newly made millionaires. Andy befriends a wealthy art collector, who shows him a rare carving and explains there were only two of them made. Seeing his chance, he convinces Jeff, who believes they can only steal if they give something in return, that he has found the carving’s replica, and sends his partner to sell it to the collector. The Gentle Grafter is a collection of interconnected short stories that deal humorously with themes of greed, wealth, and deceit. This edition of O. Henry’s The Gentle Grafter is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.

With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783965377813
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	01/11/2020
Series:	Classics To Go
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	114
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

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.
O. Henry was the pen name of American writer William Sydney Porter (1862-1910). Porteras 400 short stories are known for their wit, wordplay, characterization and the clever use of twist endings. He travelled to Austin in 1884, where he took a number of different jobs over the next several years, first as pharmacist then as a draftsman, bank teller and journalist. He also began writing as a sideline to employment. Porteras most prolific writing period started in 1902, when he moved to New York City to be near his publishers. He wrote 381 short stories while living there. He wrote a story a week for over a year for the New York World Sunday Magazine. His wit, characterization and plot twists were adored by his readers, but often panned by the critics. Yet, he went on to gain international recognition and is credited with defining the short story as a literary art form.

Editorial Reviews

O. Henry “was essentially a raconteur who saw life as a tissue of episodes rather than as any broad general process.” —Carl Van Doren, Pulitzer Prize winner

From the Publisher