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Summary: Stephen Mitchell's translation is the best
Review: The translation by Mitchell is the most modern and accessible. I recommend this over the rest.
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Summary: For the Artist
Review: This book first came to my attention when a good friend of mine sent me a quote from it, which has since become my life quote ("Be patient toward everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves..Do not search for the answers which could not be given to you now because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything...Live the questions now") Since I heard this quote, I tracked down a copy of the book after searching a half dozen bookstores and libraries, and it was worth every minute of work to find it. This book has been put on the highest level of appreciation in my mind, up there with Richard Bach's 'Illusion' and 'One'; my two other favorite books. Rilke's book was written for the artist; the person who wants to live life to its fullest and explore both the inner and outer world and their connections. Although, as another reviewer said, this book will not be fully appreciated by all readers, it is a must read for everyone, especially those who appreciate spirituality, art and living.
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Summary: Touching and timeless
Review: This book is a touching portrait of what it means to be an artist. Rilke's words are magic as they weave an image of solitude, love, life, and art. This is a collection of 10 letters that Rilke wrote to a young poet who sought his advice. The words of wisdom from the letters are valid for anyone who loves any type of art whether it be writing, painting, etc, and he bestows upon us the wisdom to become a true artist even though it can be difficult and lonely at times.
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Summary: a true gift
Review: This book was a gift from a friend at a time when I was in need of doing some soul searching. Rilke's words draw deep into your core and stir thoughts and emotions you never thought possible. His thoughts and philosophies on mankind, nature, love and one's self are beauty in their purist form. I read this book from time to time to renew my faith in mankind and myself.
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Summary: My Bible
Review: This book was my bible through four emotionally turbulent years at university. My freshman English professor, a poet himself, lent it to me after reading in my class-assigned journal that I felt lonely and adrift in my first semester of college--an act of kindness that I have never forgotten. This book taught me to love solitude, to appreciate sadness, and to seek growth. It opened my eyes to ways of seeing and living that had never occurred to me. Rilke is a very metaphysical poet, and in this book he speaks of wisdom, art, and transcendence with characteristic grace. This book also contains some surprisingly progressive ideas on love, sex, and gender. I strongly recommend it to young people starting college as an excellent introduction into the so-called real world.
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Summary: Letters to a Young Poet
Review: This novel by Rainer Maria Rilke is an excellent novel that encourages the idea of following one's dreams. This book provides an inspirational message that motivates society to fulfill their life long goals and ambitions.
Rilke presents a collection of remarkable responses that he wrote to a young would-be poet, on poetry and on surviving as an insightful observer in an insensitive world. Rilke's simple style of writing within his letters reveal clear and positive messages that open the reader's mind up to a more thoughtful and fulfilling world. Rilke uses many similes within his letters to compare certain aspects of life with other objects. This gives his receiver a more hopeful view on the world. The author also uses imagery within his letters by his selective wording and phrasing. The reader is given the ability to draw a picture of either the place or event in which Rilke discusses. Rilke also uses many metaphors or inspirational sayings or quotes to interpret life to his reader. This provides his audience with a new sense of hope for their future goals and present difficulties. Rilke's overall message throughout this novel is that one can become anything they want to become as long as they do not give up and have confidence in what they do. If one cannot think of anything else to do in the morning but sing, then they are a singer. If one cannot think of anything else to do in the morning but write poems, then they are a poet. Rilke's concept of life displays a great enthusiasm that encourages his audience to go for their goals, and I believe this is the greatest message any author can ever send out to an audience.
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Summary: Insightful and thoughtful
Review: This translation of Rainer Maria Rilke's advice to a young would-be poet, Franz Kappus, helps to affirm his standing as one of humanity's most insightful artists in any medium, in any language. Rilke appears to offer advice not so much to help Kappus understand our world, as how best to respond to it (by "world" I mean our mental world as well as our social world). Rilke thoughtfully discusses how an artist's life involves great discipline and patient effort in order to reinforce what is positive and leave behind what is negative. This advice is universal and can apply to any religion, discipline, or intent. It's hard to think how one could not find a useful and valid insight on each page of this gentle work. Everyone will have some line or two which stands out as their favorite. If you are at all interested in Rilke, or in responding to Life, this book should be wonderful for you.
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