Customer Reviews

The Gift of the Magi

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a short story that I read over a decade ago for the first time, and it has stuck with me since then. In the story, it is Christmastime, and we meet the two main characters, a young married couple who have each other and very little else, except the husband's (Jim's) heirloom pocketwatch and the wife's (Della's) hair. In a despirate attempt to provide a worthy present for her beloved husband, Della sells her knee-length hair to buy a gold chain for the pocketwatch. Little does she know, Jim has done something just as extreme for her. This is an inspiring tale that, despite its simplicity, speaks volumes about the sacrifices we willingly make for those we truly love.

This is a classic story that was assigned reading material my freshman year of high school. Understated story, very well-written. The Kindle version is nice and I have no complaints with formatting.

This is a classic Christmas story in our family and is linked to many Christmas traditions; however, I was disappointed in this copy because of its "editing." Many parts of the original story were missing for no apparent reason. I did, however, find the illistrations lovely and would recommend this book for that reason.

Especially when you are young, short stories seem like they should have some tremendous payoff at the end, if for no other reason than to justify their very brevity. Or perhaps that is simply a function of the fact that we all grow up reading the great tales of O. Henry. And of all those stories and of all those shocking payoffs, there is perhaps no other twist quite like the one at the end of Gift of the Magi.

Jim and Della Young are a wretchedly poor young married couple. Della has just $1.87 to buy a Christmas gift for Jim and between them they have precious little of any value:

Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out of the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy.

Well, you either know the rest or else I wouldn't want to ruin it for you. Suffice it to say that O. Henry leaves us with the following thought:

The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men-who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.

This exquisite little story beautifully captures the spirit of the season. It's one for the whole family to enjoy as, with warmth and wit, it imparts the age old lesson about it being better to give than to receive.

GRADE: A+

A beautiful, truthful love story set in the early 1900s on Christmas Eve, that has brought me joyful tears every time I've heard it, and now I've found an edition with illustrations that I can cherish as much as the story itself. This book is not just for Christmas time! And the Amazon price (for a new edition) can't be beat.

This timeless story of love and sacrifice of a young couple is made even more wonderful by the exquisite illustrations in this version. I saw it in a book store among the children's books but it is a story for all ages not just childen. It is a story and book to be treasured and brought out not just at Christmas but all year.

this is a wonderful old fashion love story set at christmas. it has been my favorite for a long time. makes a wonderful gift for newlyweds, or a story to celebrate the holiday season or any season.

This is the most beautiful version of the Gift of the Magi I have ever seen. It brings the story into a relatable scene with wonderful illustrations that make you want to read it again and again. I loved it so much I bought 20 copies to give as gifts.

I recall reading this in high school and was taken by the story then. I still love it and love the message behind it! Do download it if you want a quick bitter sweet story.

This is a story of the strength of love. It takes about 5 minutes to read and will make you think about it long afterwards. It is short and bittersweet and a good reminder that it's not what you have but what you choose to do with it that matters.