Waifs and Strays

"Waifs and Strays" is a collection of short stories by O. Henry that focuses on the outcasts in society, the charlatans, the humourists, and all of the other wonderous people that populate O. Henry’s universe. Teeming with anecdotal wit, humour, and satire, often verging on the tragic, the collection is diamond in O. Henry’s treasure trove of work. In "Out of Nazareth", we come across a swindler-businessman selling false plots of land for a living, ripping off elderly couples that have put their lives in to his bogus plans. In another tale, "The Red Roses of Tonia", two men compete for the heart of the eponymous heroine, bringing the tale to a tragic conclusion. It is a truly well rounded and diverse collection, perfect for readers that enjoy the stories of Oscar Wilde and Mark Twain. William Sidney Porter (1862-1919), known simply as O. Henry, following his stint in prison, was a prolific American short story writer. His fame came exceptionally quickly and he became a bestselling author of short story collections, the most famous being "Cabbages and Kings", "The Voice of the City", and "Strictly Business." As a result of the outstanding literature legacy that O. Henry left behind, there is an annual award named after him, given to the authors of exceptional short stories.