015 - Masters Of Arts

Cabbages and Kings marks O. Henrys debut published volume and stands out as his singular novel. The narrative unfolds through a series of captivating short stories, inspired by the author’s six-month adventure in Honduras during the late 1890s. As O. Henry himself noted, the tales weave together a tapestry of diverse subjects, at times appearing to lack any clear connection. Yet, by the end, readers discover the intimate ties that unite them all. The New York Times Book Review aptly remarked on the unique charm of this work, stating, “...one finds a joy in its every obscurity.” For over a century, this novel has cleverly disguised itself as a collection of loosely associated tales, yet it foreshadows literary innovations seen in works like At Swim-Two-Birds, Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote, and The Continuity of Parks. O. Henrys early writing years in Austin, Texas, are celebrated with a 219-item collection of his works available through the University of Texas at the Portal to Texas History. — Eric W. Metzler