Letters to a Young Poet

Rainer Maria Rilke received a letter from an aspiring poet in 1902, which became the first of ten letters during a six-year period that coincided with an important stage in his artistic development. These letters offer advice on developing a rich inner life and broader philosophical and existential issues, and remain a captivating source of insights into his artistic identity and process.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2019
Publisher: Dover Publications Inc.

Rainer Maria Rilke, a master of verse and poet, was born in Prague during the Austro-Hungarian empire and is now recognized as a literary legend. In 1902, a 19-year-old aspiring poet sent Rilke some of his verses, seeking an opinion of their worth. Rilke declined to offer a critique, instead encouraging the student to rely on his own inner judgment. This seemingly dismissive letter proved to be the first of ten written during a six-year period that coincided with an important stage in Rilke's artistic development. The poet offered his young correspondent further advice on developing a rich inner life as well as guidance on broader philosophical and existential issues. These letters, which explore many of the themes that later emerged in Rilke's best works, remain a captivating source of insights into the artistic identity and process.

Weight: 68g
Dimension: 129 x 203 x 6 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780486831855