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Letters to a Young Poet

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About this listen

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke, read by Max Deacon and Dan Stevens.

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 writers and artists of all kinds. This book also contains the 'Letter from a Young Worker', a striking polemic against Christianity written in letter-form, near the end of Rilke's life. In Lewis Hyde's introduction, he explores the context in which these letters were written and how the author embraced his isolation as a creative force. Charlie Louth's afterword discusses the similarities and contrasts of the two works, and Rilke's religious and sexual wordplay. This edition also contains a chronology, notes, and suggested further reading.

 European Letters & Correspondence Literary History & Criticism Memoirs, Diaries & Correspondence Poetry World Literature

Critic Reviews

...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. (Harry Fainlight)
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Most relevant
Rilke has a way of seeing words inside you, reaching his hand in and giving them form. He was trailblazing and ahead of his time. Worth a listen to anyone, especially if you’re young.

Beautiful

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An autobiography of an artist's mind. Beautiful words on art, beauty, humanity, life. What is...

Reject the system and its lies!

Inspiring

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I will be gifting this book to all my loved ones. Gorgeous read that resonates so deeply and a lovely narration as a well.

Life changing words

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