I met this book , in that literary sense through a most unexpected circumstances. I was looking for a room to rent many a years ago in London. This viewing was my last appointment that day and it transpired that the landlord was not in but the housemate who would share the property opted to show me around. Soon we chatted about art, literature, theatre, tennis etc and he said he is reading Rilke. I said I do not know him. Then he said you are an artist, you ought to read this and handed over this feather weight book, Letters to a young poet. The very next day my father was taken ill and I got so busy for many months. I never managed to return the book and I lost all the contact details of the owner. I have this book by bed side and almost everyday I read a passage or two out of it, never to forget the generosity of the real owner of this book..
Glad you found him, in Germany we usually come across his works at school at some point, the way he uses the language is so solid and strong, I dont know, what u do, but he ll help u, especially if u r planning on becoming a writer
Overly brief, but hey, there's much to cover and think about in this book. Thank you for offering your insights. This feels like one of those pieces of literature I should have been given circa middle school, where I would have had a hard time understanding, but breaking it down and discussing it as you have here, would have begun to put it into my intellectual grasp. Then possibly around my late junior and senior year of high school, the English curriculum should have put it forward for consideration once again. Then it should have been something I would revisit after college; though I admit, it likely would have been something I had no time for in my 20s. Then in my 30s when a wife and children came along, if only I had read it again then, too. And now I'm 55, and for the first time I'm reading the letters. So life being what it is, I cannot go back and reclaim those moments of should have, would have, could have, but should seek to apply them today, and as many tomorrows I might have to breathe and make a difference. --The Grammatic Artist -- Donald J. Claxton
Hey Maddie! I"m glad it was helpful. If for some reason you need more help I have my notes, and a 1 hour audio commentary I made. Also feel free to ask me and if I can be helpful I will! :) www.castig.org/letters-to-a-young-poet-by-rainer-maria-rilke/
Yes, agreed. Please read Letters to a Young Poet. I only made this hoping to share Rilke with more people, thinking it might turn them on to Letters. But really there is no substitute for reading (and re-reading) Letters. I've also heard that it's even more beautiful in its original language of German. I've been studying German. One day.
Hi! Like in general? I mean, there's so many things. Anything you're curious about or struggling with at the moment? I can maybe offer some books. Books are like medicine :) Also, on my podcast you'll see lots of books I love: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-books/id1010519905?mt=2
Yay! It's such a good one. I think I mentioned it, but if you'd like even more perspective, I go into Letters to a Young Poet for a full hour on my podcast: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-books/id1010519905?mt=2 ....enjoy!
