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360th out of 552 books
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126 voters
The Essential Rilke
German poet Rainer Maria Rilke(1875-1926) enjoys ever-increasing popularity. His Duino Elegies is considered on of the greatest long poems of the twentieth century. Yet translations from his native German have always presented challenges: the elusiveness of Rilke's imagery, the playful way he both distorts and subverts his own language, and the depth and complexity of his...more
Paperback, 176 pages
Published
September 5th 2000
by Ecco
(first published August 1st 1999)
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Why, if our time on earth could be
spent as laurel, its green darker than
all others, its leaves edged with
little waves (like the smile of a wind)--: then why do we
have to be human--and, avoiding destiny,
long for destiny? . . .
Oh not because happiness is,
that rash profit taken just prior to oncoming loss,
not out of curiosity, or to give practice to the heart,
reasons which would hold for the laurel too. . . . .
But because being here is so much, and everything
seems to need us in this fleeting world,...more
spent as laurel, its green darker than
all others, its leaves edged with
little waves (like the smile of a wind)--: then why do we
have to be human--and, avoiding destiny,
long for destiny? . . .
Oh not because happiness is,
that rash profit taken just prior to oncoming loss,
not out of curiosity, or to give practice to the heart,
reasons which would hold for the laurel too. . . . .
But because being here is so much, and everything
seems to need us in this fleeting world,...more
Exquisite Poetry. I wish I could read German just for him. This translation is a dual-language, translation side-by-side with the original, so as good as it gets in that department, and simply wonderful. I love it. Duino Elegies is still one of my favorite poems.
Picked this up because I came across a line from the Third Elegy that really stuck with me. I felt like I should probably read it in context. Unfortunately after reading this collection I don't think I'm much of a fan of Rilke's poetry in general (or I should say, this translation of his poetry--since I can't judge his original writing...maybe a different translation would change my opinion). Especially throughout the Elegies, many of the lines were awkward and seemed forced. I definitely felt l...more
May 31, 2008
Baiocco
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Igby, after he goes down, if he can figure out how to love and be loved a little, but not too much
Shelves:
poetry
Fuck Igby. That movie was funny and all, but way too cynical. Rilke gets mentioned in it when Igby is at his Uncles party and mentions that every christmas some asshole gets him a copy of Letters to a Young Poet which he promptly throws away. I get that kind of attitude, fuck, I had that kind of attitude, but at the same time if that cynicism prevails after you don't die young, bright and poetic by 27, you're really not embracing life. And believe me, this is america, you're invited to participa...more
This book has gone everywhere with me for the past 10 years. It never leaves my bedside & I always take it with me if I travel somewhere. The prose of Rilke is extrodinary.
Maybe 4 stars. Pretty good but i was grabbed by about 6 of them and the rest were ok... First go at poetry in a while so probably my bad
Oh. A must return to Rilke. Read p. 17 Don Juan's Childhood and then turn the pages.
If you want to hear angel speak, read Rilke's poetry. Because he's got God whispering at his ears.
Many years ago, my father's college friend wrote a Rilke poem on the back of an envelope which contained my 13th birthday card. I cut out the poem and carried it with me until I misplaced it in my early thirties. I bought this book (sight unseen) from a catalog, hoping that it contained the poem so it could be read at my wedding. The book did not have the poem; however, I have been exposed to more of Rilke's work and was happy that I accidentally bought this book. I don't buy or keep many books,...more
This is an excellent translation.
Mar 20, 2008
Emily
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Rilke fans
Shelves:
booksofthepast,
poetry
Again, I'm unsure of the quality of the translation, but this book is wonderful as far as I'm concerned. It's an excellent collection of some of Rilke's better known and most appreciated poetry.
I really got into Rilke from reading The Time Traveler's Wife, actually - the author quoted Rilke in the beginning pages of a few chapters.
i was only really taken by his first duino elegy [best translation i've encountered so far:]
Poor translation,... there are much better translations available.
beautiful translation by Galway Kinnell
i'm on a late-night rilke kick lately.
The poet's poet. Wonderful.
Mar 19, 2008
Christina knox
added it
daunting. he is the greatest.
May 04, 2013
J Flying
marked it as to-read
Apr 12, 2013
Kass-Kit D. Cooper
marked it as to-read
Apr 04, 2013
Greg
marked it as to-read
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Kinnell studied at Princeton University, graduating in 1948. He later obtained a Master's degree from the University of Rochester.
As a young man, Kinnell served in the US Navy and traveled extensively in Europe and the Middle East. His first volume of poetry, What a Kingdom It Was, was published in 1960.
Kinnell became very involved in the U.S. civil rights movement upon his return, joining CORE (...more
More about Galway Kinnell...
As a young man, Kinnell served in the US Navy and traveled extensively in Europe and the Middle East. His first volume of poetry, What a Kingdom It Was, was published in 1960.
Kinnell became very involved in the U.S. civil rights movement upon his return, joining CORE (...more
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Feb 14, 2009 12:20pm