The Poet's Guide to Life: The Wisdom of Rilke

by Ulrich Baer (Translator)

For the first time, Rainer Maria Rilke's extensive writings have been crystallized into this brilliant, short audiobook. Abridged. 3 CDs.

Genres: Poetry

Audio CD

First published March 22, 2005

About the author

Ulrich Baer is University Professor at New York University, and the recipient of Guggenheim, Getty, Humboldt and other awards, An author, translator, editor, and podcaster, he has published, among other titles: Rilke's "Letters on Life," Rilke's "The Dark Interval: Letters of Loss, Grief and Transformation," "Spectral Evidence: The Photography of Trauma," "110 Stories: New York Writes After September 11," "Beggar's Chicken: Stories from Shanghai," the novel "We Are But A Moment," "What Snowflakes Get Right: Speech, Equality and Truth in the University," "Fictions of America: The Book of Firsts" (with Smaran Dayal).

He's also published museum catalog on a range of photographers, and published and introduced top-quality and well-priced editions of The Great Gatsby, Frankenstein, The Scarlet Letter, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Prophet, Jane Eyre, Mrs. Dalloway, Pride and Prejudice, stories by E. A. Poe, as well as Wilde on Love; Dickinson on Love; Rilke on Love; Nietzsche on Love; Shakespeare on Love, all with Warbler Press.

Reviews

[E. Farris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found that the best part of this book was the introduction. It was fascinating learning about Rilke, things I hadn't before been aware of.
And then I turned to the text . . . . Hard to get into. I skipped about and read shorter entries, but couldn't really get into it.
Instead of poetry, it was basically excerpts from his many letters.
Not exactly what I needed at the time.
Back to the library.

[Audiobook Accomplice (Gillian) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh gosh, how on earth can I admit that I maaaaay not have liked this all that much?!?
My Full Review

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned/the content of this book made me feel…

…that the whole thing was like a big blanket wrapped around me with wise words and soothing voice - an audiobook that must own! Just gorgeous…

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never understood how a genuine, elementary, thoroughly true love can remain unrequited; since such a love is nothing but the urgent and blessed appeal for another person to be beautiful, abundant, great, intense, unforgettable, nothing but the surging commitment for him to amount to something.

And tell me, who would be in a position to refuse this appeal when it is directed at him. When it elects him from among millions where he might have lived obscured by his fate or unattainable in the midst of fame. No one can seize, take and contain within himself such love. It is so absolutely intended, to be passed, onward beyond the individual and needs the beloved only for the ultimate charge that will propel its future orbiting among the stars.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the intro about Rilke, his life and his style of prose and poetry, the body of the work reads like the flip page daily inspirations. I shall scan the book to see if I shall read it in any other way.

I may not finish this for a while, like next Spring; I left it in columbus.

[Ke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with what the author says about individuality, but not with his views on commitment.

Also, despite my admiration for his craft, I thought that Rilke holds too simple views on innocence and childhood.