The Gift of the Magi
The Gift of the Magi is O. Henry's most famous story, first published in 1905. On the day before Christmas, Della has one dollar and eighty-seven cents with which to buy a present for her husband Jim, and she has one possession of value, her long hair. Jim, for his part, owns a gold watch that was his father's and his grandfather's. Each sells what they have to buy something for the other, with a result that is both foolish and, as the narrator argues in his closing lines, wiser than anything the wise men brought to Bethlehem. The story is a few pages long and has been told, retold and parodied ever since. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Gift of the Magi
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Gift of the Magi online?
Yes. The Gift of the Magi opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Gift of the Magi free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Gift of the Magi is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Gift of the Magi in the public domain?
Yes. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Gift of the Magi?
About 9 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Gift of the Magi?
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry is filed under "Short Stories" in the Vinteuil library.
