Rilke: Sein Leben, seine Welt, sein Werk

by Wolfgang Leppmann

Die gerühmte Rilke-Biographie des renommierten Literaturwissenschaftlers Wolfgang Leppmann interpretiert den Dichter nicht nur aus seinen Werken, sondern zeigt ihn auch als Repräsentanten einer Periode des gesellschaftlichen Umbruchs. (Dieser Text bezieht sich auf eine frühere Ausgabe.)

Genres: Biography, Poetry, Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1955

Reviews

[Philippe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In preparation for my first approach to the Duino Elegies I spent a delightful week under the spell of this generous Rilke biography. The story is well and sympathetically told and the balance between life and work feels just right. And what a pleasure to immerse oneself in the spirit of that troubled but bracing age! And how gratifying to accompany the nomadic poet on his hectic travels through the European heartland: Prague, Munich, Paris, Venice, Rome … ! I loved every minute of it. But my trepidations about tackling the Elegies have not in the least been diminished …

[Harold Rhenisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great stuff on Rilke here, with many great, well-researched insights, but more of a work of idolatry than anything, in the end. This is a book on Rilke for non-poets, which is kind of funny, given the difficulty of his later poems! Leppmann does a serviceable job of normalizing Rilke's ideas, but does not, in the end, follow them down Rilke's pathways. For that, a new book is needed. For a glimpse into the old West Germany, this is a treasure, though.

[Jamey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved it, back in the day...

[Anne Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Workmanlike, but valuable for its insights into his life.