Little Dinners With the Sphinx, and Other Prose Fancies

"Little Dinners With the Sphinx, and Other Prose Fancies" by Richard Le Gallienne is a collection of prose reflections written in the early 20th century. The text features a series of philosophical and whimsical conversations between the narrator and a character known as the Sphinx, exploring themes of love, beauty, and the nature of existence against the backdrop of elegant dinner settings. The opening portion introduces a reunion between the narrator and the Sphinx after a considerable time apart. They engage in light-hearted yet profound discussions about their changes over the years, intertwining humor and sentimentality as they reminisce and reflect on sorrows and pleasures. The conversation flows into the realms of philosophy, touching on the mystical connections between gastronomy and human emotions. The narrative style evokes a sense of intimacy and wit, inviting readers into a world where intellectual banter and understated emotion coexist at the dinner table, setting the tone for a deeper exploration of human experience through the metaphor of dining.