A Retrieved Reformation by O. Henry

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!"

Whenever I can’t decide what short story to read next, O. Henry is one of my go-to authors because (a) the guy was ridiculously prolific—he churned out hundreds of stories, more than I could ever read in a lifetime, and (b) he’s just so consistently entertaining even when he misses the mark.

Take A Retrieved Reformation, for instance. I wouldn’t exactly call it a top-tier masterpiece in O. Henry’s repertoire, but it’s a harmless piece of short fiction does exactly what it sets out to do—entertain. It’s quick, lighthearted and the twist ending (a classic O. Henry hallmark) was amusing enough to make me chuckle. Sometimes that’s all I’m looking for: a light, playful and fun read where I can sit back and enjoy the ride. 

The story centers around Jimmy Valentine, an ex-convict just released from prison, known as one of the best safecrackers in the game. Let's just pause for a moment to appreciate how perfect his name is—Jimmy Valentine just sounds like a guy destined to be at the center of a caper. Soon after his release, he meets the girl of his dreams, which throws a literal and metaphorical wrench into his plans of making the next big score. There is also a cop that has been assigned to track down Jimmy and throw him back into prison. 

The question becomes: will he stick to the straight-and-narrow this time or fall back into his old ways? There’s a playful energy in how the author sets up the story and teases the resolution, keeping you engaged while nudging you toward that inevitable "aha!" moment. Unfortunately, the narrative set up and big moral dilemma in the final act—where Jimmy has to decide between going back to prison or blowing his cover—feels utterly ridiculous. But hey, that’s part of the charm, isn’t it? The whole thing is so over-the-top that you can’t help but roll your eyes and smile at the same time. 

Oh well, on to the next O. Henry story!