Cover Image: Letters to a Young Poet

Letters to a Young Poet

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Member Reviews

This is wonderful translation of 10 beautiful letters Rilke wrote to a young poet admirer. They are inspirational letters not just for poets.

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This is the first translation of Letters To A Young Poet I have read, and I'm in love.

Each of the 10 letters showcased in this book are beautiful. They have aged remarkably well (unlike a lot of classic non-fiction). I saved so many paragraphs from this collection to look back on.

Wonderful.

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This work is a classic — containing Rilke’s letters to a young person giving his own advice for writing and life — and is a great read for would-be writers or any lovers of poetry as an art form, or anyone interested in better understanding Rilke, who was a fascinating figure in his own right. This new edition from Ixia Presa and @doverpublications is beautifully laid out and a pleasure to read. It also include the original translator notes and a helpful guide to Rilke’s works in English. Highly recommended!

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Sometimes, books really do find you at the perfect time in your life. I experienced one of, what Rilke would call, a tragedy recently. I read this days after. Letter eight speaks to my soul in an unspeakable kind of way because of this. How could it not be difficult for us? How could it not, indeed.

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I love when writers espouse about the art of writing, and this collection of letters from Rilke to a poet are inspiring and interesting. Written early in the 20th century, it's amazing how up-to-date and somehow modern these musings still feel today. I thought the translation and ensuing commentary did a great job to display Rilke's life and how some events influenced his writing. My only complaint is that it doesn't feel super accessible for someone that isn't totally familiar with Rilke's background or writings. However, it has inspired me to read more of Rilke's work and to truly appreciate his thoughts about the life of a writer.

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