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alees's review against another edition
2.0
This read like the ramblings of a stoned, horny, & pretentious man.
alexgutuu's review against another edition
5.0
I read this in 2023 and only now have I mustered the courage to finally write some words that will nevertheless fail to really describe how this book helped change my life.
I really believe that Rilke’s beautiful letters came to me at a very significant time in my life. Lost and confused as I was and still am, the advice given by Rilke to the young poet truly felt personal to me, and to all of us I am sure. I wondered, and still wonder, if Rilke had any idea that one day so many aspiring writers or even so many people would go through these letters with such wonder.
How I hope he knew that his words deeply affected others in the most wonderful way.
And his way with words! What a master of language!
Honestly, I saw in these letters so much advice that I have tried to give to others but failed for the simple reason of not being such a master of words as Rilke was. And for this I will forever be grateful.
From time to time I go back to these letters, as they give me strength and make me feel profound love, and the sweetness of Rilke’s use of words helps grow in me a feeling of peace and gratitude that I so desperately need in this confusing world.
And now I leave the rest of this review to Rilke’s own words, such that left the greatest impact on me and my life.
“You are so young, all still lies ahead of you, and I should like to ask you, as best I can, dear Sir, to be patient towards all that is unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms, like books written in a foreign tongue.”
“I ask you to consider whether these great unhappinesses did not rather pass through you. Whether much within you has not changed, whether somewhere, in some part of your being, you were not transformed while you were unhappy?"
“And if I have anything else to say to you it is this: do not think that the person who is trying to console you lives effortlessly among the simplest, quiet words that sometimes make you feel better. His life is full of troubles and sadness and falls far short of them. But if it were any different he could never have found the words that he did.”
I really believe that Rilke’s beautiful letters came to me at a very significant time in my life. Lost and confused as I was and still am, the advice given by Rilke to the young poet truly felt personal to me, and to all of us I am sure. I wondered, and still wonder, if Rilke had any idea that one day so many aspiring writers or even so many people would go through these letters with such wonder.
How I hope he knew that his words deeply affected others in the most wonderful way.
And his way with words! What a master of language!
Honestly, I saw in these letters so much advice that I have tried to give to others but failed for the simple reason of not being such a master of words as Rilke was. And for this I will forever be grateful.
From time to time I go back to these letters, as they give me strength and make me feel profound love, and the sweetness of Rilke’s use of words helps grow in me a feeling of peace and gratitude that I so desperately need in this confusing world.
And now I leave the rest of this review to Rilke’s own words, such that left the greatest impact on me and my life.
“You are so young, all still lies ahead of you, and I should like to ask you, as best I can, dear Sir, to be patient towards all that is unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms, like books written in a foreign tongue.”
“I ask you to consider whether these great unhappinesses did not rather pass through you. Whether much within you has not changed, whether somewhere, in some part of your being, you were not transformed while you were unhappy?"
“And if I have anything else to say to you it is this: do not think that the person who is trying to console you lives effortlessly among the simplest, quiet words that sometimes make you feel better. His life is full of troubles and sadness and falls far short of them. But if it were any different he could never have found the words that he did.”
rubyics's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
wow. outstanding. now im going to sleep and think and think some more.
lina_harrysversion's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
I adore Rilke's writing and his way of thinking and found many thought provoking passages in this small collection of letters!