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Letters to a Young Poet

(Penguin Classics)

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Letters to a Young Poet

By: Rainer Maria Rilke, Charlie Louth - translator
Narrated by: Dan Stevens, Max Deacon
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About this listen

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 European Letters & Correspondence Memoirs, Diaries & Correspondence World Literature

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All stars
Most relevant  
The readers really do this piece justice and give it a vocal range that draws us in, wakens us up and intrigues us with this esoteric and intellectual exploration of desire in all its forms . Faith holds on !
Chapter 13 sooooo well read.

Complex and challenging

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Great philosophy on art and creativity. If you are aspiring read and re-read. It's read vith capability and intelligence.

The letters are of course of their time and could do with a little emancipation regarding woman's role in art but taken all in all this is a espiltiliary of importance.

Brilliant reading, beautiful thoughts.

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This thoughtful translation and delightful reading of a beloved poet is simply exquisite. It bears listening to, time and again.

Magnificent

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Beautiful book. I've listened to it twice. I think it does justice to Rilke poetic voice. It's just lovely.

Beautiful title. Great narrators.

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There's so much wisdom in it that I hardly can put anything into place yet, I will need to hear it again and again... It's the endless source of inspiration!

Absolutely wonderful!!!

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An exquisite work of art. Truly one of the books one must read, especially in one’s 20s!

The beauty of the writing

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What a treat to be privvy to the communication and thinkings of such a deep thinker and emotional being. I found the scribbles of these letters thoughtful, intentional and intimate. A book I will return to to keep sourcing new truisms.

Truisms from another era

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