And Even Now

by Max Beerbohm

"And Even Now" by Sir Max Beerbohm is a collection of essays written during the early 20th century. The essays reflect Beerbohm's observations and musings on various topics, encapsulating the wit and wisdom of his experiences and literary engagements over a decade. The opening portion of the book introduces a reflective essay titled "A Relic," where the narrator discovers an old portmanteau that triggers memories and evokes a sense of nostalgia. He recounts the contents of the trunk, particularly a fragment of a fan belonging to a woman named Angélique, which leads him to reminisce about a dramatic encounter he witnessed on a terrace in Normandy. The narrative explores themes of memory, longing, and the creative impulse, as the narrator contemplates the woman’s emotional turmoil and how it inspires him to pursue writing, despite his fears of inadequacy. This initial essay sets the tone for the collection, revealing Beerbohm’s keen insights into human nature and the subtleties of everyday life.