If you enjoy reading books by O Henry then you might also like the following authors:
If you like O. Henry's sharp, carefully built short stories, you'll enjoy Guy de Maupassant. His storytelling is clear, precise, and insightful, often exploring human flaws with irony and realism. Many of his stories focus on ordinary people caught in unexpected twists of fate.
Try The Necklace, a story about pride, vanity, and life's little ironies.
Fans of O. Henry's wit and surprising endings will appreciate Saki's satirical sense of humor. His sharp writing often pokes fun at Edwardian society with clever observations and unexpected plot turns.
A good starting point is The Open Window, a playful yet unsettling tale showing how easily reality can be twisted.
If you enjoy O. Henry's keen understanding of human nature, you'll find Anton Chekhov appealing. Chekhov's short stories offer subtle plots that reveal quiet but powerful truths about everyday life and human emotion. A fine example is The Lady with the Dog.
It's a thoughtful portrait of a fleeting romance that quietly transforms the characters involved.
If O. Henry's stories amuse you with clever plots and humorous observations, take a look at Mark Twain. Twain's prose is straightforward, his humor dry yet warmhearted, and his critiques of society sharp and perceptive.
Start with The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, a funny, quirky story that captures Twain's style perfectly.
Those who like O. Henry's ironic twists will also enjoy Ambrose Bierce's work. Bierce writes with a darker, sharper edge, using biting humor and stark pessimism to show life's contradictions. A key work to read is An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.
It's a stunning, unsettling tale with a surprise ending that's hard to forget.
Ring Lardner is an American writer known for his sharp wit and simple yet insightful observations about everyday life. Like O. Henry, Lardner uses humor and irony to reveal human flaws. His stories often depict ordinary people in believable situations.
Readers who enjoy O. Henry's clever narratives might appreciate Lardner's short story collection, You Know Me Al, which humorously portrays the life of a fictional baseball player through letters.
Damon Runyon's short stories often feature colorful characters with distinct voices, set in the vibrant world of early 20th-century New York City. Readers who like O. Henry's plot twists and quirky characters will probably enjoy Runyon's humorous yet insightful perspective.
His collection Guys and Dolls includes stories about gamblers, gangsters, and showgirls, painted with vivid dialogue and memorable personalities.
Dorothy Parker writes with razor-sharp humor and insightful observations about relationships and society. Although her style is often more biting and satirical than O. Henry's, she similarly reveals strong truths beneath amusing surfaces.
Her collection Enough Rope showcases her darkly funny poems and short stories about the absurdities of human nature.
Shirley Jackson explores unsettling themes beneath the surface of ordinary life, blending subtle humor with surprising twists.
Though more suspenseful and eerie than O. Henry, Jackson's sharp observation of human behavior and plot reversals might appeal to those who enjoy unpredictable endings. Her famous short story The Lottery exposes disturbing traditions hiding under everyday routine.
Flannery O'Connor uses a vivid and often stark style that blends dark humor with powerful revelations. Like O. Henry, she crafts surprising turns, but her stories often carry strong moral and spiritual themes.
O'Connor's short stories examine human flaws and redemption, usually with gritty characters and Southern settings. Her collection A Good Man is Hard to Find features memorable characters facing unexpected confrontations about morality and grace.
Roald Dahl is famous for his witty storytelling and unexpected endings, similar to the delightful surprises readers find in O. Henry's stories. Dahl's tales combine humor, irony, and a dash of dark mischief.
One notable example is Tales of the Unexpected, a collection of short stories that showcases his inventive characters and clever twists.
John Cheever writes insightful stories that explore the hidden side of everyday suburban life. His style is subtle and often melancholic, capturing the secrets and struggles beneath seemingly ordinary lives.
Readers who like O. Henry's insight into human nature will appreciate Cheever's collection The Stories of John Cheever, which vividly portrays characters confronted by quiet crises and emotional truths.
Raymond Carver offers readers minimalist yet deeply emotional short fiction. His characters are often ordinary people dealing with loss, loneliness, or quiet desperation.
Fans of O. Henry's humane and sensitive portrayals may be drawn to Carver's collection Cathedral, where each carefully crafted story uncovers moments of quiet revelation and personal insight.
Somerset Maugham is known for his clear, elegant writing style and precise observations of human behavior. He often portrays complex characters caught in moral and emotional dilemmas, resembling themes prominent in O. Henry's work.
Maugham's collection The Trembling of a Leaf illustrates his knack for sharp storytelling and deep character studies.
George Saunders stands out for his satirical humor and sharp use of contemporary themes. Like O. Henry, he masterfully blends humor with an insightful look at humanity.
Saunders's collection Tenth of December provides readers with imaginative scenarios, memorable characters, and narrative twists that stay thought-provoking even after the story ends.