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Letters to a Young Poet

Written by: Rainer Maria Rilke, Charlie Louth - translator
Narrated by: Dan Stevens, Max Deacon
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Publisher's Summary

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke, read by Max Deacon and Dan Stevens.

At the start of the 20th century, Rainer Maria Rilke wrote a series of letters to a young officer cadet, advising him on writing, love, sex, suffering and the nature of advice itself; these profound and lyrical letters have since become hugely influential for writers and artists of all kinds. This book also contains the 'Letter from a Young Worker', a striking polemic against Christianity written in letter form near the end of Rilke's life.

In Lewis Hyde's introduction, he explores the context in which these letters were written and how the author embraced his isolation as a creative force. Charlie Louth's afterword discusses the similarities and contrasts of the two works and Rilke's religious and sexual wordplay.

This edition also contains a chronology, notes, and suggested further reading.

©2016 Rainer Maria Rilke (P)2016 Penguin Audio
Memoirs, Diaries & Correspondence World Literature
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Existential comfort

I have listened to this book so many times when I am feeling badly. Sometimes at night, I use it to speak me to sleep. It encourages the most brilliant dreams. So many insights from the writings of Rilke—especially on love.

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Poignant teaching more so for the present time.

Truly wish that Dan Stevens did the entire narration. He is excellent as always and could have performed both roles with his versatile voices, instead of switching to a different, less engrossing performer.

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Letter to a young poet

I found the narration excellent. I enjoyed the sincerity of the exchange, but at times found Rilke condescending towards his younger correspondant.

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