Letters to a Young Poet

By: Charlie Louth, Rainer Maria Rilke, Charlie Louth - editor, Lewis Hyde - introduction, Charlie Louth - translator

Narrated by: Dan Stevens, Max Deacon

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 twentieth 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.

Critic reviews

...I cannot think of a better book to put into the hands of any young would-be poet, as an inspirational guide to poetry and to surviving as a poet in a hostile world. (Harry Fainlight)

Superb!

I listen to the audiobook for thousand times and each time I gain something new. Dan Steven's performance is more than perfect.

Voice

I thank the Rilke, but in Dan’s voice, the words soothe my soul with depth.

Absolute peace

I haven’t felt this depth of feeling in a long time. I absolutely recommend this masterpiece!:)

He Is and Always Will Be A Master

The last chapter in which the young worker sends Rilke a letter sums it all up best… we should only put our faith in those who stir within us a commotion that demands nothing less than the Truth and accepts nothing less than Love.

A beautiful collection

The wisdom lovingly laid out by this amazing wordsmith was like taking a refreshing sip of spring water as it dripped off. the mountain side.