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devika1009's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
zxcvbnmackie's review
5.0
A beautiful and benevolently breathtaking insight into the correspondence shared between the poet Rainer Maria Rilke and a military officer and aspiring poet at the time, Mr. Franz Kappus. This 52 paged book is comprised of 10 letters dated from 1902 to 1908 that Rilke wrote to Kappus bestowing deep advice and sage-like wisdom on many elements crucial to experiencing a better and more well-rounded life.
This correspondence read as if Rilke was communicating with Kappus on a celestial level of humane embrace. Every segment of each letter regarding its topic was meticulously explained and yet, not a word was wasted or misplaced. A mesmerizing paradox.
The letters touched on a variety of topics. A few that I can remember reading about were, firstly, the pivotal and progressive triad that exists between youth, loneliness and love. Secondly, the significant impact that expressions of art (or an art-form) and creativity can have, so long as it comes from a pure place. Thirdly, the value which comes from embracing and accepting personal sadnesses as a means to adequately prepare oneself for the future. Fourthly, that it’s okay to let things happen, and that it’s important to bring oneself away from trying to wonder why, in order to avoid the arrival at wrong conclusions and misplaced blame. Lastly, the crucial momentousness of dedicating oneself to a being in solitary.
To summarise this book in a sentence:
"If you're like me and can't afford therapy, this book acts as the more cost-effective and emotionally beneficial alternative which you never knew you needed."
Of course, there was so much more to this book. However, I will stop my review here in the hopes that it has piqued your interest enough and let you experience it for yourself.
This correspondence read as if Rilke was communicating with Kappus on a celestial level of humane embrace. Every segment of each letter regarding its topic was meticulously explained and yet, not a word was wasted or misplaced. A mesmerizing paradox.
The letters touched on a variety of topics. A few that I can remember reading about were, firstly, the pivotal and progressive triad that exists between youth, loneliness and love. Secondly, the significant impact that expressions of art (or an art-form) and creativity can have, so long as it comes from a pure place. Thirdly, the value which comes from embracing and accepting personal sadnesses as a means to adequately prepare oneself for the future. Fourthly, that it’s okay to let things happen, and that it’s important to bring oneself away from trying to wonder why, in order to avoid the arrival at wrong conclusions and misplaced blame. Lastly, the crucial momentousness of dedicating oneself to a being in solitary.
To summarise this book in a sentence:
"If you're like me and can't afford therapy, this book acts as the more cost-effective and emotionally beneficial alternative which you never knew you needed."
Of course, there was so much more to this book. However, I will stop my review here in the hopes that it has piqued your interest enough and let you experience it for yourself.
lizzye33's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.5
This book and the letters written by a man who, though he made some errors in his life, based on perspectives we may not always agree with, especially more than a century later, are incredibly important.
However, Riltz uses his voice, which he was outcasted by the majority of society for, considering how different his voice was from that of many people of his time, especially from those who were not poets. At least, not for the right reasons.
He wrote clearly, and Hemingway's famous quote and advice to "write hard and clear about what hurts" rings true. The quote comes to mind when reading these letters. He does so very well.
As someone who would love to be a writer and storyteller and has a poet's heart but no words to write and stories to tell, much of this advice was simple and profound and eloquently reminded or even taught the audience fundamental truths and needs that it is important to remember and utilize—not make it your whole life, but at least acknowledge them.
Beautiful things are discussed, from how to be a true poet, forgetting the content for a moment written in your work, to love relationships, nature, sorrow, losses, etc.
As for some of his perspectives on the world, albeit a different time with a different way of thinking and, in fact, a different way of the world, I don't always agree with his opinions and ideas, especially about women, but I can understand what he was getting at without being offended or feeling disrespected as a women. That does not come to mind for me so much, though the only thing I will criticize is his perspective on discussing love.
He describes new love in a way that focuses on unrequited, hasty, and or messy in the run before marriage is set down with set-in-stone repercussions. Especially when compromising poor actions and validating repercussions.
That is not love, and I agree with finding the trajectory difficult in navigating life, removing peace, and looking for love in another before looking inside yourself first and being able to observe with innocent perception and maintaining love and relationships and not fleeting love or hasty decisions that may not be good or lasting. I agree with all of that but love is not dependent on being received and shared equally, it is who we are, not just what we do but reflections of that love, or a blindness to it.
That and young love are good. It is not so much if one is innocent and the other is not; this is where their hearts lie. That is bad and will end in needless drama, suffering, and confusion. But there is a special kind of adventure in the eyes of a new love interlaced with experiencing life and finding someone to do that with, not in hasty lust or remaining in solitude for too long, convinced it is better, but the balance to be blessed.
From what I know about Riltz and his life within these pages, I can say he had a challenging time, and yes, he made decisions that seemed to counteract his advice in certain parts. The heart is there, and our messes may not be fractals to mend back, but we share a little mess and breathe in compassion from the sameness of those pieces we all have. Love is unconditional. Words may not be enough to convey thought, art, life, love ... But it's a start.
These words are helpful, beautiful, encouraging, and remind us to take a step back and take heart. I highly recommend this very fast read to writers, artisans, poets, and anyone with a creative side, even if they don't have that outlet yet to use or cultivate it.
However, Riltz uses his voice, which he was outcasted by the majority of society for, considering how different his voice was from that of many people of his time, especially from those who were not poets. At least, not for the right reasons.
He wrote clearly, and Hemingway's famous quote and advice to "write hard and clear about what hurts" rings true. The quote comes to mind when reading these letters. He does so very well.
As someone who would love to be a writer and storyteller and has a poet's heart but no words to write and stories to tell, much of this advice was simple and profound and eloquently reminded or even taught the audience fundamental truths and needs that it is important to remember and utilize—not make it your whole life, but at least acknowledge them.
Beautiful things are discussed, from how to be a true poet, forgetting the content for a moment written in your work, to love relationships, nature, sorrow, losses, etc.
As for some of his perspectives on the world, albeit a different time with a different way of thinking and, in fact, a different way of the world, I don't always agree with his opinions and ideas, especially about women, but I can understand what he was getting at without being offended or feeling disrespected as a women. That does not come to mind for me so much, though the only thing I will criticize is his perspective on discussing love.
He describes new love in a way that focuses on unrequited, hasty, and or messy in the run before marriage is set down with set-in-stone repercussions. Especially when compromising poor actions and validating repercussions.
That is not love, and I agree with finding the trajectory difficult in navigating life, removing peace, and looking for love in another before looking inside yourself first and being able to observe with innocent perception and maintaining love and relationships and not fleeting love or hasty decisions that may not be good or lasting. I agree with all of that but love is not dependent on being received and shared equally, it is who we are, not just what we do but reflections of that love, or a blindness to it.
That and young love are good. It is not so much if one is innocent and the other is not; this is where their hearts lie. That is bad and will end in needless drama, suffering, and confusion. But there is a special kind of adventure in the eyes of a new love interlaced with experiencing life and finding someone to do that with, not in hasty lust or remaining in solitude for too long, convinced it is better, but the balance to be blessed.
From what I know about Riltz and his life within these pages, I can say he had a challenging time, and yes, he made decisions that seemed to counteract his advice in certain parts. The heart is there, and our messes may not be fractals to mend back, but we share a little mess and breathe in compassion from the sameness of those pieces we all have. Love is unconditional. Words may not be enough to convey thought, art, life, love ... But it's a start.
These words are helpful, beautiful, encouraging, and remind us to take a step back and take heart. I highly recommend this very fast read to writers, artisans, poets, and anyone with a creative side, even if they don't have that outlet yet to use or cultivate it.
morganbr1m's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes books find their way to you exactly when you need them (this is one of them)
tumn's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
lovely insight, will be looking into more of his work due to this!