Rilke on Love and Other Difficulties: Translations and Considerations

Rilke says everything I need to be said. He knows that 'each of us is alone' but by and through his writing in general he gives one comfort to that very singular realization, if that makes any sense. The idea and image of love and beauty as terrifying hits home and is so welcome in our world of no privacy and little time and space for solitude and reflection. To acknowledge the difficulty in loving another person is so brave and clear-headed. Sex as connected to childhood love, and playfulness. Love the idea of two lovers' being guardians of each other's solitude. Translation is wonderful. However I do not read German, which I trust is even more beautiful than the English.What's important is not the answer, but the question

I first read this bilingual edition of Rilke over 20 years ago. A former professor of religion and literature, Mood's sensitive and insightful translation and commentary (especially on Rilke's epitaph) illuminate Rilke for both new and seasoned readers. John Mood doesn't just study Rilke--he lives the poet's work. Highly recommended for Rilke lovers, it contains fragments of poetry and prose difficult to find elsewhere in translation. And the new edition has a gorgeous Art Deco cover, although is missing Mood's short bio of the previous edition for some reason. "May all never-belonging be yours!" RMR

Nothing bad to report really. The book cover was not the same, which is a little dissapointing cuz I liked the cover shown in the picture. But other than that it got here relatively fast (it got sent back to the sender, they contacted me and re-sent it, which was nice!).

Wonderful Rilke book!

This is an excellent introduction to some of Rilke's best reflections. It was the gateway for me into his meaningful expressions and purposeful principles.

Read slowly. Read over a life time. Be Patient. But most of all have this book and this translation in your home.

Deep! Rilke was, indeed, a writer ahead of his own time. Profound.

I love his poetry As a psychotherapist I have given some of his work to my clients to help them understand situations they are struggling with and give them insight into solutions