Books with author Rainer Maria Rilke

€œthough they were written specifically toa young poet, rilkeâ€s words apply to everyone– especially to those who are attempting to doanything creative in their lives†â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â marc allen, author of a visionary life the ten letters that form this beautiful little book are some ofthe most famous letters ever written they range freely over avariety of subjects, from the dangers of an ironic worldview to thevalue of faith the reason they have proved to be so popular overthe years is that they are the work of a great soul; an expansiveand inspiring spirit pervades them for almost a hundred years, the voice that reached out to theaspiring artist with the most clarity and consolation was that ofrainer maria rilke how is it that such a slim book, written solong ago in a time very different from our own, still speaks to uswith such authority today? the answer lies in the simple fact thatthese letters are the result of a unique conjunction ofcircumstances that created an almost magical alchemy of thought andfeeling because of their depth of sentiment and sense of wisedetachment, readers often assume that they are the work of an olderman looking back on the struggles of youth but, in fact, theseletters were written between rilkeâ€stwenty-eighth and thirty-third years – duringwhich he was struggling to find himself artistically however, itis the great, overarching shadow of the french sculptor rodin thathelps lift rilkeâ€s insights from the profoundobservations of

In 1902, a nineteen-year-old aspiring poet named Franz Kappus wrote to Rilke, then twenty-six, seeking advice on his poetry. Kappus, a student at a military academy in Vienna similar to the one Rilke had attended, was about to embark on a career as an officer, for which he had little inclination. Touched by the innocence and forthrightness of the student, Rilke responded to Kappus' letter and began an intermittent correspondence that would last until 1908. Letters to a Young Poet collects the ten letters that Rilke wrote to Kappus. A book often encountered in adolescence, it speaks directly to the young. Rilke offers unguarded thoughts on such diverse subjects as creativity, solitude, self-reliance, living with uncertainty, the shallowness of irony, the uselessness of criticism, career choices, sex, love, God, and art. Letters to a Young Poet is, finally, a life manual. Art, Rilke tells the young poet in his final letter to him, is only another way of living. With the same artistry that marks his widely acclaimed translations of Kafka's The Castle and Amerika: The Missing Person, Mark Harman captures the lyrical and spiritual dimensions of Rilke's prose.In his introduction, he provides biographical contexts for the reader and discusses the challenges of translating Rilke. This lovely hardcover edition makes a perfect gift for any young person starting out in life or for those interested in finding a clear articulation of Rilke's thoughts on life and art.

These ten letters, written by one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century, offer deep and sincere advice to the young poet. They touch on all aspects of life and are valuable to anyone wishing to be a poet and to those who are not. Written with power, style, and conviction these letters will guide and inspire anyone who reads them. Wilder Publications is a green publisher. All of our books are printed to order. This reduces waste and helps us keep prices low while greatly reducing our impact on the environment.