logo
Wrong email address or username
Wrong email address or username
Incorrect verification code
Letters to a Young Poet - Rainer Maria Rilke
Letters to a Young Poet
by: (author)
Rainer Rilke is considered one of the most significant poets in the German language. The letters in this book were written by Rilke to Franz Kappus, a 19-year-old student at the Military Academy of Vienna. Discouraged by the prospect of military life, Kappus began to send his poetry to the... show more
Rainer Rilke is considered one of the most significant poets in the German language. The letters in this book were written by Rilke to Franz Kappus, a 19-year-old student at the Military Academy of Vienna. Discouraged by the prospect of military life, Kappus began to send his poetry to the 27-year-old Rilke, seeking both literary criticism and career advice. After Rilke's death, Kappus assembled and published the letters. Although the first letter from Kappus asked for critiques of his poetry, Rilke gave him very little during their correspondence. He also discouraged Kappus from reading criticism, advising him to trust his inner judgment. Instead, the majority of the letters address personal issues that Kappus revealed to Rilke; their span is tremendous, ranging from atheism, loneliness, sexuality, and career choices.
show less
Format: paperback
ISBN: 9781461190523 (1461190525)
Publisher: CreateSpace
Pages no: 58
Edition language: English
Bookstores:
Community Reviews
Silvie's bookshelf
Silvie's bookshelf rated it
5.0 Letters to a Young Poet
This is the kind of book everyone should read every year.
Garden-of-Stars
Garden-of-Stars rated it
4.0 Letters to a Young Poet
The fame of “Letters to a Young Poet” has been known to me for some time, though from the negative aspect primarily. Most people complained about the condescending way in which Rilke wrote to Kappus, and how his words are easy to throw away because one if not willing to listen to someone who thinks ...
Mommy, am I cult?
Mommy, am I cult? rated it
4.0 Letters to a Young Poet
Every aspiring author should read this book, or at least its first letter: the one in which Rilke exposes what should truly motivate a writer.
Cheryl's books
Cheryl's books rated it
5.0
“Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage.”It feels quite trite to say this slim collection is inspirational.But there you go.It is.
MatthewHunter
MatthewHunter rated it
A true work of art! And out of respect for Rilke's disdain for criticism--"Works of art are of an infinite solitariness, and nothing is less likely to bring us near to them than criticism. Only love can apprehend and hold them, and can be just towards them."--I will keep my own thoughts to a minimum...
Other editions (42)
Books by Rainer Maria Rilke
On shelves
Share this Book
Need help?