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And Even Now

Sir Max Beerbohm

Book Overview: 

This is a diverse collection of essays by English writer Max Beerbohm, whose circle included such notables as Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, Ezra Pound, and Somerset Maugham. Much of Beerbohm's work was humorous, including parodies of various aspects of the upper class life into which he was born.

Some of these pieces are humorous, some philosophical, and some even sad. They include, for instance: a frankly self-critical piece on the pomposity and self-importance of his early literary ambitions; a half-eager, half-repining essay on a missing and uncompleted portrait of the great German writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe; and a funny, but politically critical essay on "the servant question."

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Book Excerpt: 
. . .I used to wonder what work it was, for he published little enough. But I never ventured to inquire, and indeed rather cherished the mystery: it was a part of the dear little old man; it went with the something gnome-like about his swarthiness and chubbiness—went with the shaggy hair that fell over the collar of his eternally crumpled frock-coat, the shaggy eyebrows that overhung his bright little brown eyes, the shaggy moustache that hid his small round chin. It was a mystery inherent in the richly-laden atmosphere of The Pines....

While I stood talking to Watts-Dunton—talking as loudly as he, for he was very deaf—I enjoyed the thrill of suspense in watching the door through which would appear—Swinburne. I asked after Mr. Swinburne's health. Watts-Dunton said it was very good: 'He always goes out for his long walk in the morning—wonderfully active. Active in mind, too. But I'm afraid you won't be able to get into touch with him. He. . . Read More

Community Reviews

Fabulous collection of satirical essays. He's a brilliant caricaturist, even eliciting a remark by Wilde in The Importance of Being Earnest.

Something different for me, a collection of essays. Max Beerbohm was soothing in his writing even though there was a biting quality at times. The essays were set in the first decade of 1900 England; there were many fresh observations, clever quips and insights into humanity.

I read this book in order to read it again.

Max Beerbohm is the kind of essayist who takes a leisurely stroll through life, examining the odds and ends that pass his way. He's often very funny, but never seems to be straining to make you laugh. It's more that he just has a humorous perspective on things.

As the collection of essays wore on, th

Some nuggets, but he went on a bit.

Joseph Epstein likes this book so I thought I'd try it.

Beerbohm is somewhat patchy, but his best essays are quite good.

Max’s first collection of essays and articles was titled The Works of Max Beerbohm, which is just wonderful. This collection, published when he was middle-aged, is often considered his best. It is very good. Less biting, perhaps, than some of his earlier writing, it is still frequently hilarious whi