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Letters to a Young Poet Audiobook
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Publisher Description
Rilke's powerfully touching letters to an aspiring young poet, now available in a beautiful hardcover Penguin edition
At the start of the twentieth century, Rainer Maria Rilke wrote a series of letters to a young officer cadet, advising him on writing, love, sex, suffering, and the nature of advice itself. These profound and lyrical letters have since become hugely influential for generations of writers and artists of all kinds, including Lady Gaga and Patti Smith. With honesty, elegance, and a deep understanding of the loneliness that often comes with being an artist, Rilke's letters are an endless source of inspiration and comfort. Lewis Hyde's new introduction explores the context in which these letters were written and how the author embraced his isolation as a creative force.
This edition also includes Rilke's later work The Letter from the Young Worker.
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"I came upon this book around the same time I was taking a Philosophy of Art class. I thought it was fantastic. It was motivating. It had the whole idealist/"to thine own self be true" theory of art and writing. It said to write because you must. If you are drawn to it, then you must do it. And do it purely. (and if i'm totally off base, hey, it was 20 years ago, what do I know;-)"
— Beneth (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“I read Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet every day.”
— Lady Gaga -
“I cannot think of a better book to put into the hands of any young would-be poet, as an inspirational guide to poetry and to surviving as a poet in a hostile world.”
— The Times
Letters to a Young Poet Listener Reviews
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" To be re read over and over "
— Lian, 2/5/2014 -
" One of my fave reads -- you walk away with something new every time. "
— sLogan, 2/5/2014 -
" As I'm reading James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, I am appreciating Rilke's book. It has an accessibility along with the many nuggets of wisdom for the creative journey. It is also beautifully written. "
— Debbie, 2/5/2014 -
" The life-preserver for any aspiring writer. "
— Ernie, 1/28/2014 -
" this is a book I will, as many do, dip back into again and again "
— Amelia, 1/20/2014 -
" There are no words to express how amazing this book was. "
— Kelsey, 1/18/2014 -
" The Norton translation is beautiful, again and again. "
— Mo, 1/16/2014 -
" Think I'll just keep starting this one over again and again. Much wisdom I hope to absorb. Might look for a different translation next time to get a slightly different spin. "
— Longfellow, 1/5/2014 -
" This has been on my night stand for months and I like to go back to it once in a while. Maybe I'm cheesy, but I think it's an inspiring book. A great reminder to keep in touch with the creative part of yourself. "
— Sarah, 12/26/2013 -
" top 5 fav book of all time "
— Diana, 11/13/2013 -
" It calmed me. Gave me confidence. It made me think about getting a copy for everyone I know that matters. "
— Ashley, 10/28/2013 -
" If you're a poet and you haven't read it, what's taken you so long? "
— David, 10/26/2013 -
" One of the most sensitive books I've read, a map of sorts to finding a way through society's standards to your own authentic life and sexuality. "
— Willow, 10/23/2013 -
" I have the version of this book translated by M.D. Herter Norton - amazing! "
— Yoli220, 10/11/2013 -
" I've read this several times always at pivotal times in my life. Always relevant. "
— Linda, 5/29/2013 -
" I liked it because of the last letters. the first ones really got me bored or got me reading only with the eye as I had many pop up thoughts totally irrelative. "
— Katerina, 10/13/2012 -
" This is a book filled with sage advice that is helpful to not only aspiring poets but to artists of all types. "
— James, 1/12/2012 -
" "...and just in the deepest and most important things, we are unutterably alone, and for one person to be able to advise or even help another, a lot must happen, a lot must go well, a whole constellation of things must come right in order once to succeed." Rainer Maria Rilke "
— Matt, 12/22/2011 -
" Solitude, self-awareness, and patience. After reading this book I want to be alone to let my writing do what it will. Elegantly written. I will read Rilke's poetry. "
— Evelyn, 10/13/2011 -
" Love this. Since the movie Igby Goes Down, it's become a "cliche book". It's too bad because it's a fantastic book. "
— Grace, 6/8/2011 -
" A book for every young person to carry with them. "
— Bryan, 5/23/2011 -
" The Norton translation is beautiful, again and again. "
— Mo, 5/22/2011 -
" Lots of beautiful excerpts that inspire and encourage self-reflection. Its goodness just happens to reveal your own cynicism.<br/><br/>I wish people still talked and wrote like this. Suggests a steadier look at life that feels impossible nowadays. "
— Sarah, 5/8/2011 -
" the most holy of holy books "
— Emily, 5/3/2011 -
" Philosophical letters which lead one to thinking about life's deepest ideas. "
— Gabriela, 4/16/2011 -
" I like to reread parts regularly. Isn't the kind of book you only read once. "
— Sonia, 4/11/2011 -
" Beautiful, hopeful -- a must read for any young person disenchanted with the obstacles that chasing your art presents. "
— Molly, 3/27/2011 -
" Truly inspiring. If you ever need to be reassured that pursuing your dreams is the right course of action, read this book. "
— Amber, 3/24/2011 -
" Reading this was one of the motivating factors for me to go to grad school for writing. This book has some really gorgeous language and great life advice! "
— Elise, 3/24/2011 -
" Excellent book- will be sure to always keep a copy nearby. "
— David, 3/21/2011 -
" Four stars and I'm not yet finished with it. It's a very short read and packed with wise and beautiful thoughts. Read it. "
— Shelly, 3/10/2011
About Rainer Maria Rilke
Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926) is considered one of the greatest poets who ever wrote in the German language. His most famous works are Sonnets to Orpheus, The Duino Elegies, Letters to a Young Poet, and The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge. His collected works include hundreds of other poems, essays, plays, and stories.
About Max Deacon
Dan Stevens, an Earphones Award-winning narrator, is internationally known for his role as Matthew Crawley in the hit television drama Downton Abbey. He has starred in numerous films, including Beauty and the Beast, The Guest, and A Walk among the Tombstones, among others. His theater work includes The Heiress on Broadway and Arcadia, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, The Vortex, and Hay Fever in London.