Letters to a Young Poet

Additional Letters to a Young Poet Information

Drawn by some sympathetic note in his poems, young people often wrote to Rilke with their problems and hopes. From 1903 to 1908 Rilke wrote a series of remarkable responses to a young would-be poet, on poetry and on surviving as a sensitive observer in a harsh world. Accompanying the letters is a chronicle of Rilke's life showing what he was experiencing in his own relationship to life and work when he wrote these letters.

What Customers Say About Letters to a Young Poet:

What I like about RMR is that -as a writer- he touches philosophy, psychology, literature, and poetry without any particular body of study, except his own intuition and inner voice. Kappus (the "young poet") may serve as a reference for anyone who has ever thought why we are here and what is there to do because of it.

There is no such thing as "a ranking" over such work. It seems to me a bit awkward and out of place to either rate this book or review it.

The ideas and principles he expresses in these 10 letters to Mr. RMR has a talent some will see and others will not.

His talent is to plainly materialize into words the deepest questions and interests one may manifest over existence. Again, some will see the point, others will find it void.

If we could all be in contact with our inner self to that extent, we may even decide according to our best.

I really enjoyed the thoughts and encouragement, and the kindness and sensitivity between the players, which of course makes for great poetry. The translation from the German came out lyrical, smooth, creative and wonderful to my ears. I read much of it aloud while sitting alone at the beach (no, I'm not loco). Well done - I enjoyed the book, and will re-read it in another year or so. Stimulated creativity on my part.

Very good book. Doesn't have a lot of pages but you still come away with a better appreciation for the Arts. Must read.

great book, there are better translations out there. this translation is very literal whereas other translations i've read are more lyrical and in the style as it was written in German

What a wonderful book. Besides the fact that Rilke often makes excuses for long periods of time between his letters, his words are brilliant and thoughtful. Not unlike "The Last Lecture" there is some "you should live this way," but it is done in a much more tactful manner. I highly recommend this read.