Cabbages and Kings

By O. Henry and O. O.

Book Overview

"Cabbages and Kings" is a masterful blend of short stories and serialized narrative by the legendary American author O. Henry. Set in the fictional tropical republic of Anchuria, this work provides a satirical and often poignant look at life in a vibrant Central American coastal town. Through a series of interconnected tales, O. Henry explores themes of political intrigue, lost love, and the unpredictable nature of fate, all delivered with his signature wit and clever plot twists.

The collection is historically significant for coining the term "banana republic," using humor to critique the socio-political dynamics of the region during the early 20th century. Readers will encounter a diverse cast of characters-from wandering adventurers and consulate officials to scheming revolutionaries-all woven together in a colorful tapestry of adventure and irony. Whether dealing with high-stakes revolution or the simple complexities of human relationships, "Cabbages and Kings" showcases O. Henry's unique ability to find the extraordinary in the ordinary. This work remains a cornerstone of American literature, celebrated for its stylistic innovation and its enduring influence on the short story genre.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025531442
• ISBN13: 9781025531441
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 332 Pages
• Weight: 1.03 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.7" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

I'm glad O Henry escaped prison

I am glad O Henry escaped from his Texas prison, because his period of exile in Honduras provided him with beautiful fodder for this book. Actually, it is a series of linking vignettes about a mythical town (Coralio) in the mythical Central American "Banana Republic" of Anchuria. The protagonists are American and other foreign misfits who have formed a colony along the disease ridden coast of Anchuria. Achingly funny stories populate Cabbages and Kings, especially the one about an Irish Soldier of Fortune who gets swindled by a Guatemalan general and seeks revenge. Although extremely humourous, Cabbages and Kings is historically valuable as well. It provides an accurate representation of turn-of-the-century life in Caribbean Honduras.