Synopses & Reviews
Rilke's
Letters to a Young Poet are arguably the most famous and beloved letters of the twentieth century.
Written when the poet was himself still a young man, with most of his greatest work before him, they were addressed to a student who had sent Rilke some of his own writing, asking for advice on becoming a writer. The two never met, but over a period of several years Rilke wrote him these ten letters, which have been cherished by hundreds of thousands of readers for what Stephen Mitchell calls in his Foreword that "vibrant and deeply felt experience of life" that informs them.
Eloquent and personal, Rilke's meditations on the creative process, the nature of love, the wisdom of children, and the importance of solitude offer a wealth of spiritual and practical guidance for anyone. At the same time, this collection, in Stephen Mitchell's definitive translation, reveals the thoughts and feelings of one of the greatest poets and most distinctive sensibilities of the twentieth century.
Review
"The common reader will be delighted by Stephen Mitchell's new translation of that slim and beloved volume by Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet...It seems to be the best yet." The Los Angeles Times
Review
"Rilke's letters...have become classic statements of creative process and spiritual development....They help us to know ourselves." Milwaukee Journal
Review
"Rilke's finely wrought advice about art, personal fulfillment, and love....This book is a very important addition to those who love Rilke." Choice
Synopsis
Letters written over a period of several years on the vocation of writing by a poet whose greatest work was still to come.
Synopsis
The ten letters collected here are arguably the most famous and beloved letters of our century. Written when Rainer Maria Rilke was himself still a young man with most of his greatest work before him, they are addressed to a student who had sent Rilke some of his work, asking for advice about becoming a writer. The two never met, but over a period of several years Rilke wrote him these ten letters, which have been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of readers for what Stephen Mitchell calls the "vibrant and deeply felt experience of life" that informs them.
About the Author
Rainer Marie Rilke, the great Austro-German poet, was the author of many works including
Duino Elegies and
Sonnets to Orpheus.
Stephen Mitchell's translations include Ahead of All Parting: The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, The Book of Job, Tao Te Ching, and, most recently, Bhagavad-Gita. He lives in California.