Rainer Maria Rilke and Franz Xaver Kappus - Letters to a Young Poet: Translated and With a Foreword by Stephen Mitchell

Pros: some good advice for a poet
Cons: a bit of saccharine

I stumbled upon the poems and writings of Rainer Maria Rilke shortly after my release from high school. I kept seeing his name mentioned in books by other writers. There were also a few appearances in anthologies. Being half German, I was ...

Pros: Beautiful writing and an important collection of ideas.
Cons: None.

This book is amongst the growing volumes that were forced upon me by my mother. Herself being of liberal faith, and spirituality, she tends to delve into topics, such as these, far more regularly than I. Now after repeated pestering I finally ...

Pros: Words of Wisdom
Cons: Wish he had written more letters.

This book was one of the unexpected gems that life causally throws you every once in while. A friend of mine lent me this book and I am so glad she did. It is an insightful little book on being a writer that could probably be applied to any art or ...

Pros: Life-altering, beautiful, and smart, smart, smart.
Cons: A bit dense with information at times.

Letters to a Young Poet offers outstandingly moving ideas and theories from the Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke. This book explains the higher level of pure art, as well as a pure existence. I find this book extremely comforting and enlightening in a transcendent sort of way. Very well translated.