
by - Max Beerbohm
'YET AGAIN' - SOME CRITICISMS OF THE FIRST EDITION
THE FIRE
SEEING PEOPLE OFF
A MEMORY OF A MIDNIGHT EXPRESS
PORRO UNUM...
A CLUB IN RUINS
'273'
A STUDY IN DEJECTION
A PATHETIC IMPOSTURE
In this witty collection of essays, the author reflects on the act of gathering scattered pieces from a lifetime of publishing, turning the chaos of countless periodicals into a single, cohesive voice. With a playful self‑awareness, he muses on the absurdity of “egg‑in‑many‑baskets” creativity while thanking the very editors who demanded those fragments. The tone is both genteel and sharply observant, inviting listeners to share his bemused perspective on the literary marketplace.
The centerpiece essay, “The Fire,” uses the hearth’s blaze as a vivid metaphor for imagination’s restless power. He contrasts the obedient furniture and painted walls of his study with the untamed, almost primal energy of the flames, likening it to the ancient gift of Prometheus. As he watches his dog’s wary curiosity, the piece becomes a meditation on how the familiar can retain its awe when seen with fresh eyes. Listeners will enjoy the author's elegant prose, dry humor, and thoughtful ruminations on art, childhood perception, and the lingering spark of wonder.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (348K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Tom Weiss. HTML version by Al Haines.
Release date
2000-08-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1872–1956
Wry, elegant, and wonderfully observant, this English man of letters turned satire into an art form. Best known for his essays, parodies, caricatures, and the novel Zuleika Dobson, he became one of the sharpest and most entertaining voices of his age.
View all books
by Sir Max Beerbohm

by Sir Max Beerbohm

by Sir Max Beerbohm

by Sir Max Beerbohm

by Sir Max Beerbohm

by Sir Max Beerbohm

by Sir Max Beerbohm

by Sir Max Beerbohm