Dive into the profound depths of Rainer Maria Rilke's poetic exploration of love, longing, and the complexities of human emotion in 'Rilke on Love and Other Difficulties.' This collection unravels Rilke's unique insights through intricate translations and reflections, offering a fresh perspective on the challenges of intimacy and connection. With his evocative language, Rilke navigates the often turbulent waters of relationships, inviting readers to ponder their own experiences of love and existence. Each piece resonates with the beauty of vulnerability, prompting contemplation on what it means to truly connect with another. Prepare to be captivated by Rilke's lyrical wisdom that lingers long after the final page.
By Rainer Maria Rilke
Published: 1975
"Love consists in this: two solitudes that meet, protect and touch each other."
This book was compiled by a Rilke lover for Rilke lovers. John Mood has chosen selections from Rilke and combined them with his own writings and commentary. Included are Rilke's letters on love; poems on love and other difficulties, translated by Mood; shorter selections from Rilke's work; and an essay by Mood. The letters on love present Rilke's exploration of the deepest levels of what love is. His working toward love at these depths was poetic, profound, and thoroughly radical. His language is sensual; his deep spirituality is rooted in the senses. The letters are of crucial importance for those who have passed from puritanism to promiscuity without ever having experienced genuine love. The love poems were written during the period of Rilke's most mature work. They are sensual and explicitly sexual-but they are also tough-minded. The poems reflect great passion and gentle care; his unique joining of the masculine and the feminine is profoundly portrayed. There is also a selection from Rilke's later poems, which many feel are his most significant works. All but a few have appeared in translation only once before. The poems deal with the fundamental difficulty of living-dying, though with greater subtlety, density, and depth than before. The book concludes with a passage from Rilke on the difficulty of writing poetry and of living life; a letter containing an affirmation of life; and Mood's essay on dying, based on Rilke's self-composed epitaph.--Adapted from book jacket.
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“Love consists in this: two solitudes that meet, protect and touch each other.”
Rilke on Love and Other Difficulties
By Rainer Maria Rilke
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) was a distinguished Bohemian-Austrian poet and novelist, renowned for his profound lyricism and exploration of existential themes. His notable works include 'Duino Elegies,' a poignant exploration of the human condition, and 'Letters to a Young Poet,' offering insights into the creative process and the artist's journey. Rilke's writing style is characterized by its rich imagery, deep emotional resonance, and philosophical depth, making him a significant figure in 20th-century literature.
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