What makes the stories in 'O Henry Best Stories' so memorable?

Well, 'The Cop and the Anthem' is really good. It tells about a homeless man who tries different ways to get arrested so he can have a warm place to stay during winter. And 'A Retrieved Reformation' is also a classic. It shows how a reformed criminal's past catches up with him in an unexpected way.

One reason is his plot twists. They are often so unexpected that they leave readers both amused and amazed. For instance, in some of his stories, characters' plans backfire in the most comical ways.

The most memorable part is often the surprise endings. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the couple sacrifices their most precious possessions for each other, only to find out the gifts they got for each other are now seemingly useless, but it shows their deep love. Another aspect is his vivid portrayal of characters from different walks of life. He can make the reader feel as if they are right there in the story with the characters.

The complex characters. Henry James was a master at creating multi - dimensional characters with deep inner lives.

One of the popular stories is 'The Gift of the Magi'. It's about a young couple who are very poor but deeply in love. The wife cuts off her long, beautiful hair to buy a chain for her husband's precious watch, while the husband sells his watch to buy combs for his wife's hair. It shows the selfless love between them.

In 'The Ransom of Red Chief', the character of Red Chief is quite memorable. He is a naughty and wild boy who turns the tables on his kidnappers. Then there's Della in 'The Gift of the Magi'. Her selfless love and the sacrifice she makes for her husband are very touching. Also, Soapy in 'The Cop and the Anthem' is a character that stands out. His attempts to get arrested in order to have a warm place to stay during winter are both humorous and sad at the same time.

Some of the best O. Henry short stories include 'The Gift of the Magi'. In this story, a young couple is very poor but they both sacrifice their most precious possessions to buy a gift for the other. The wife cuts her long, beautiful hair to buy a chain for her husband's watch, while the husband sells his watch to buy combs for his wife's hair. It's a heart - warming story about love and sacrifice.

His stories often focus on ordinary people in urban settings. He portrays the struggles, hopes, and dreams of the common man. These characters are very relatable, like the clerks, waitresses, and small - time crooks that populate his stories. This makes his stories accessible and engaging to a wide audience.

Well, 'The Ransom of Red Chief' and 'A Retrieved Reformation' are also among O. Henry's top short stories. They showcase his unique storytelling style and clever twists.

It's hard to say which one is the absolute best as different people may have different preferences. However, 'The Gift of the Magi' is often regarded highly. Its simple yet powerful message about love and self - sacrifice makes it a classic that has touched many readers' hearts over the years.