Rating: 
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.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
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.
| 
