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shirp's review against another edition
2.0
Something is definitely lost in translation. I have no doubt that Stephen Mitchell is the anglo authority on Rilke, and this is probably as good as it gets, but all I could think is that I really need to learn German to appreciate the original (not to mention also getting around to reading my favourite book Das Parfum in its original language...) I've come to realize that I don't like reading translations of poetry. The only exception being Baudelaire, translated by Poe (and vice-versa - check it out if you're bilingual. I guess they used to have depressed bromies translation seshes).
aeudaimonia's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Rilke competed both the Elegies and the Sonnets after a long period of depression; so have I read them. Existential dread and the terror of the divine and the daunted but resolute commitment to live.
“Earth, isn't this what you want: to resurrect
in us invisibly? Isn't it your dream
to be invisible one day? Earth! Invisible!
What's your urgent charge, if not transformation?
Earth, my love, I will.”
“Earth, isn't this what you want: to resurrect
in us invisibly? Isn't it your dream
to be invisible one day? Earth! Invisible!
What's your urgent charge, if not transformation?
Earth, my love, I will.”
sjov's review against another edition
“O, her teacher taught her many things to say, / And what is printed in roots and long / Difficult stems: she sings, she sings!”
dhalse's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
barschuft's review against another edition
5.0
Sublime. Captures the twisted, rooted, beautiful and effervescent all together
emilycoppella's review against another edition
5.0
Quite possibly the most enjoyable collections of poetry I’ve read so far.
margarete's review against another edition
5.0
opened a new world for me: poem as ode to the otherworld, to the divine, to heartbreak and lost love. will have to buy my own copy and revisit this
meythegreat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0