Letters to a Young Poet - Softcover

Rilke, Rainer Maria

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1461190525 ISBN 13: 9781461190523

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2011

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.

From the Back Cover:

"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 . . . the best yet."
--Los Angeles Times

From the Inside Flap:

Letters written over a period of several years on the vocation of writing by a poet whose greatest work was still to come.