Letters to a Young Poet
Letters to a Young Poet
Rainer Maria Rilke
Tim Ferriss
Very powerful book that I recommend to everyone. - Tim Ferriss
Krista Tippett
[I love this book]. I give that to young people. - Krista Tippett
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
I think it gets a lot [...] in terms of being intrinsically motivated, which is so important, especially if you’re going to be an artist. - Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Jen Rubio
A little overwrought, but full of sage advice. - Jen Rubio
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Letters to a Young Poet

Letters to a Young Poet

Rainer Maria Rilke
By
Rainer Maria Rilke
4.3
10565
ratings on Goodreads

In the quiet dawn of the 20th century, a young military cadet reached out into the void, seeking affirmation and guidance for his poetic aspirations from none other than Rainer Maria Rilke, a beacon of literary prowess. What transpired was a correspondence of profound beauty and depth, a mentorship etched in ink and paper. "Letters to a Young Poet" is not merely a collection of responses but a treasure trove of wisdom, an intimate glimpse into the soulful dialogue between two artists at vastly different stages of their journey. Through ten letters, Rilke explores the essence of creativity, the discipline of solitude, and the courage to confront the deepest truths of one's existence, making this volume a timeless lantern for those navigating the tempestuous seas of artistic endeavor. Rilke's words, penned with a gentle yet unwavering hand, transcend advice, weaving through the realms of poetry, philosophy, and the sacred quest for self-discovery. This compilation, more than a century old, resonates with the vibrancy of a living conversation, inviting readers into a space where art is both refuge and revelation. Here, the young poet—and indeed, all who have felt the stirrings of creative call—find not just guidance, but permission to live fully in the complexity of one's own interior world. "Letters to a Young Poet" stands as a testament to the enduring power of mentorship, the unbreakable bond formed in the shared pursuit of beauty, and the indelible mark left by the act of reaching out, from one soul to another, across the vastness of time and experience.

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Released
1929
1 Jan
Length
80
Pages

4

recommendations

recommendation

A little overwrought, but full of sage advice. - Jen Rubio
I think it gets a lot [...] in terms of being intrinsically motivated, which is so important, especially if you’re going to be an artist. - Joseph Gordon-Levitt
[I love this book]. I give that to young people. - Krista Tippett
Very powerful book that I recommend to everyone. - Tim Ferriss
Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.
— Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

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