Reviews

Poems to Night by Rainer Maria Rilke

pawswithprose's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

zjn's review

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3.0

I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley I’m exchange for an honest review.

Poems to Night is an interesting collection of Rilke’s poetry translated into English for the first time by Will Stone. The poems explore the relationship between humans and the night, which here often stands for the eternal and divine, at a time of many scientific advances and heavy industry.

Some of the poems spoke to me and some did not. Rilke’s imagery is beautiful, as is the sense of place found in the collection. I did feel like the poems blurred into one another somewhat, but that may be because I read the collection quite quickly.

I’d recommend this collection to fans of the poet and those interested in the themes described, though probably not to a wider audience.

linaslzr's review

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-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

luda_12's review

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inspiring fast-paced

5.0

alishreads's review

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4.0

Name: Poems To Night
Author: Rainer Maria Rilke
Genre: Poetry
Rating: 4.3/5
Review:
Poems To Night is a beautiful collection of poetries. The poetries are written mostly in Paris, some talk about the city of love, while other poetries are about reminiscence, sentiments and love. These poetries are like strings of words woven together to form an emotion, a feeling of one own self.
I enjoyed reading these poetries, some touched me and some passed by me. This book reminded me of William Wordsworth poems, if you enjoy reading poetries, you should definitely read it!

mint_renegade's review

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challenging reflective relaxing medium-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

3.0

it takes a charming kind of arrogance to write compelling poetry. to heavenly lights, rilke demanded 'have the stars survey me more ardently, for i am fading'. as though they should rejoice, he added 'stars of the night, i have awoken'. of things sacred, he said 'eden is on fire and life devours and joy is madness'

i barely understood it, but the few lines that i did understand, i loved. 

ynaa's review

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3.0

What reaches us with the starlight,
what reaches us,
take the world in your countenance,
but do not take it lightly.


Show the night that you silently received
what she brought.
It is only when you merge into her
that the night knows you.

bet27's review

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3.0

a few great lines and an interesting intro - but overall not my favourite...even though Rilke is my favourite

giarc's review

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4.0

(Based on ARC). Hard to believe this, most of this anyhow, hadn’t been translated into English until now. Started in the end of 1913, Rilke’s Poems to Night, takes the reader through familiar existential themes, pain, loneliness, longing in his simple, yet complex, style.

It’s a short read at 90-ish pages, but found myself rereading much of it a second time, jumping here and there, as this each poem collection has the commonality of night, each poem can be read alone or can be read as a small piece of the whole.

Also contains drafts of many of the poems as well as other night poems.

Well worth the read.

dfgiee's review

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lighthearted reflective fast-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

4.0