O. Henry
A love’s sacrifice loops to hollowed hands. As pawned treasures buy useless grace, two hearts find wealth in loss’s bitter alchemy.
The Gift of the Magi
About O. Henry
O. Henry (1862–1910), born William Sydney Porter, was a master of the American short story, renowned for his twist endings and wry wit in tales like The Gift of the Magi and The Ransom of Red Chief. Raised in North Carolina, he worked as a pharmacist and later a Texas ranch hand before settling in Austin, where marriage and a banking job preceded his literary pursuits. Accused of embezzlement in 1895, he fled to Honduras—a period that inspired his coining of “banana republic” in Cabbages and Kings. Returning to face trial after his wife’s tuberculosis diagnosis, he served prison time, writing under pseudonyms like “O. Henry” to obscure his past. Post-release, he thrived in New York City, penning 381 stories marked by irony and empathy for everyday struggles, though his personal life frayed with failed marriages and declining health. Despite a turbulent life, his legacy endures through the O. Henry Award, honoring his pioneering role in perfecting the modern short story’s blend of humor, humanity, and surprise.
About the Genres O. Henry wrote in
O. Henry mastered short fiction with twist endings, spanning humor/irony (The Ransom of Red Chief’s absurd reversals), drama/sentiment (The Gift of the Magi’s poignant sacrifice), and satirical adventure (Cabbages and Kings, coining “banana republic”). His regional tales reflected Southern dialects (e.g., The Whirligig of Life), while crime/morality stories (A Retrieved Reformation) drew from his prison past, probing redemption. Blending snappy dialogue, empathy for ordinary lives, and surprise conclusions, his work—including lesser-known poetry and journalism—cemented his legacy as a pioneer of the modern short story, celebrated through the annual O. Henry Award.
Monthly Short Stories from your Favorite Creators
The Midnight Visitor
Midnight, a weaver of stars, meets defiance for the first time
The Book Leo
The Hotel for Hungry Ghosts
On the hunt for a guest’s hat, drawn to a truth he can’t yet see.
Christy Anne Jones
Love Letters
Childhood best friends, hidden letters, and a long-awaited love.
Just Ali
Dubitāre
Memories lie, shadows whisper, and truth is a nightmare.
Paula
The Toll
Mysterious sound haunts small town. Three girls search for answers.
A Clockwork Reader
Weak & Wicked
You soar, you crash, and you survive once more.
This Story Ain’t Over
Natural born Chilakillers
Contains a spell for eternal amor and an original recipe for chilaquiles.
Alana Quintana Albertson
Dreams of Green
A young man finds himself in a time loop trying to save the man he loves from death.
Ellias
Pricing
$3 for 3 Months
Renews at $5.99 / Month
Just Ali
The Book Leo
Christy Anne Jones
This Story Ain’t Over
Alana Quintana Albertson
A Clockwork Reader
Ellias
Paula
Short Stories Like Never Before.
Audiobooks for All Stories.
Hand Drawn Illustrations.
Zero AI.
Financially Support Your Fav Creators.
Best Reads Of 2025.
More reasons to join
Zero AI. All human talent. Every. Single. Month.
Read unlimited stories on your phone, tablet, or desktop.
75% of revenue goes directly to creators & artists. Supporting an ecosystem of human talent.
Themed events like our Halloween series and 12 days to Christmas see captivating stories as part of a shared world.
Each month you get to vote on your favorite stories with cash prizes and publishing deals for winners you get to shape stories journeys.
As a user you can submit your own short story for a chance at having a paid feature alongside your favorite creators.
Pricing
$3 for 3 Months
Renews at $5.99 / Month
Frequently asked questions
What is Lore Library?
At Lore Library, you read short stories written by, or hand-picked by, your favorite creators. This also financially supports the creator and an ecosystem of human talent. No AI. Community events, voting, and physical publications.
What can I read on Lore Library?
Lore Library curates the best stories from around the world, content supersedes genre. However, we have brilliantly creative reads from Romance to Speculative Fiction.
I’m a writer! I want to know more about submitting my own story?
Once in the app, in the menu is an option to submit your own story!
How do I cancel?
You're free to cancel any time in the app! 🙂
New Stories.
Every Month.
