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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
Probably a 2.75. Some letters were a 2, some where a 5. Was thinking it was good not great but that “life holds you in its hand, it will not let you fall” letter really is a sucker punch through and through.
I loved the critique on the institution of the church, but thats to be expected at this point.
I loved the critique on the institution of the church, but thats to be expected at this point.
Many lines from this will stay with me. The writing is beautiful. Wild that it’s a set of letters and not intentional prose. Will definitely be coming back to this one.
In his collection of letters, Rilke writes about the human experience. From doubt to love to fear, he provides comforting epithets on these universal emotions. I wasn’t looking for comfort from his letters, but I found it.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
"And as for the rest, let life happen to you."
This is easily one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read, and I'm so glad I finally read something by this author. There were some elements of this book that I found confusing (mainly the writing style at times, but that's on me and isn't an actual objective critique), and I didn't really vibe with his insistence on solitude and the inevitability of loneliness as a permanent condition? Idk. On the other hand, his letters were filled with SO many beautiful thoughts and an absolutely astonishing command of language, and I would happily buy my own copy to reread and annotate. I enjoyed this so so much, overall, and will absolutely read more from him. I think loneliness is just something that I really struggle with, and something about the way he wrote about it didn't sit right with me. Somethin about how his obsession with solitude read like an unhealthy coping mechanism, but he clearly felt morally superior because of it? and the way he just blatantly promoted self isolation to Mr. Kappus??? Idk. This really was a fantastic read, though and I do recommend. Just maybe take it with a grain of salt, I guess.
This is easily one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read, and I'm so glad I finally read something by this author. There were some elements of this book that I found confusing (mainly the writing style at times, but that's on me and isn't an actual objective critique), and I didn't really vibe with his insistence on solitude and the inevitability of loneliness as a permanent condition? Idk. On the other hand, his letters were filled with SO many beautiful thoughts and an absolutely astonishing command of language, and I would happily buy my own copy to reread and annotate. I enjoyed this so so much, overall, and will absolutely read more from him. I think loneliness is just something that I really struggle with, and something about the way he wrote about it didn't sit right with me. Somethin about how his obsession with solitude read like an unhealthy coping mechanism, but he clearly felt morally superior because of it? and the way he just blatantly promoted self isolation to Mr. Kappus??? Idk. This really was a fantastic read, though and I do recommend. Just maybe take it with a grain of salt, I guess.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
reflective
medium-paced
I can't even begin to explain this book. Rilke writes so eloquently even when talking about unconventional subjects. Reading this was truly life changing, his views on love, solitude, and sexuality are so interesting. I felt as though he was writing to me directly because of how connected I felt to everything he wrote. I'll definitely be reading more of his work.
"Go into yourself. Examine the reason that bids you to write; check whether it reaches its roots into the deepest region of your heart, admit to yourself whether you would die if it should be denied you to write. This above all: ask yourself in your night’s quietest hour: must I write?"