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Roads of Destiny (1909) is a collection of short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and in prison, these stories address themes of crime, poverty, and fate. "A Retrieved Reformation," perhaps the most notable of the collection's twenty-two stories, is semi-autobiographical in that it explores the life of a criminal and fugitive who maintains a moral identity while struggling to adjust to life outside of prison. "Roads of Destiny" is the story of a French poet and shepherd named David Mignot. After fighting with his lover Yvonne, he decides to leave his home village of Vernoy in search of fame and adventure. The dreamlike narrative follows him down three paths: one takes him to the home of a wealthy Marquis, where he falls in love with his young daughter; the next leads him to the halls of the king, where he is recruited to act as a body double during a visit to the nearby cathedral; the final one finds him turning back toward home, where he struggles to balance a life of marriage with his poetic calling. In "A Retrieved Reformation," a safecracker named Jimmy Valentine attempts to lead a quiet life following his release from prison. Using an assumed identity, he settles in Arkansas, where he marries the beautiful daughter of a local banker. Despite his best efforts, however, his criminal past threatens to resurface at every turn. Roads of Destiny is a collection of stories exploring themes of fate and identity by an icon of American literature. This edition of O. Henry's Roads of Destiny is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.
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A propos de l'auteur
American author William Sydney Porter better known by his pen name O. Henry was best known for his short stories. "The Gift of the Magi," "The Duplicity of Hargraves," and "The Ransom of Red Chief" are some of his works. On September 11, 1862, in Greensboro, North Carolina, William Sidney Porter was born. His mother was Mary Jane Virginia Swaim Porter, and his father was a doctor named Algernon Sidney Porter. He obtained his pharmacy license when he was 19 years old. His humor, storytelling prowess, and musical aptitude were well-known. He married Athol Estes in a secret ceremony in 1887. Before returning to Austin, Texas, to stand trial, he spent six months living in Honduras, where he wrote under the pen name O. Henry. Athol's health prevented him from seeing his dying wife in the United States, so he instead gave himself up to the authorities. He received a five-year prison term but was freed in 1901 on the condition that he behaved himself. Porter passed away on June 5, 1910, as a result of liver cirrhosis, diabetes-related issues, and an enlarged heart. In Asheville, North Carolina, at the Riverside Cemetery, he was laid to rest.
Résumé
Roads of Destiny (1909) is a collection of short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and in prison, these stories address themes of crime, poverty, and fate. “A Retrieved Reformation,” perhaps the most notable of the collection’s twenty-two stories, is semi-autobiographical in that it explores the life of a criminal and fugitive who maintains a moral identity while struggling to adjust to life outside of prison. “Roads of Destiny” is the story of a French poet and shepherd named David Mignot. After fighting with his lover Yvonne, he decides to leave his home village of Vernoy in search of fame and adventure. The dreamlike narrative follows him down three paths: one takes him to the home of a wealthy Marquis, where he falls in love with his young daughter; the next leads him to the halls of the king, where he is recruited to act as a body double during a visit to the nearby cathedral; the final one finds him turning back toward home, where he struggles to balance a life of marriage with his poetic calling. In “A Retrieved Reformation,” a safecracker named Jimmy Valentine attempts to lead a quiet life following his release from prison. Using an assumed identity, he settles in Arkansas, where he marries the beautiful daughter of a local banker. Despite his best efforts, however, his criminal past threatens to resurface at every turn. Roads of Destiny is a collection of stories exploring themes of fate and identity by an icon of American literature. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of O. Henry’s Roads of Destiny is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.
