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Loading... Rilke's Book of Hours: Love Poems to Godby Rainer Maria Rilke
Absolutely beautiful collection! Includes the original German as well as Barrows/Macy's unique and lovely English translations. My only "complaint" is that it doesn't include all of the poems (though most are there). The commentaries at the beginning and end discuss how the translations came about and other translator decisions. Inspiring collection! ( )Love ripens us whether we are walking the paths of human loves or the paths that include the love of the divine. This set of poems has become a classic to readers among both the religious and the non-religious who would open their hearts to embrace the unknown gifts of life and love's ripening. I personally find this translation wonderful. I don't speak or read German so I can't say that this translation is a more accurate one or not. What I can say is that among the several different translations I own, this one engages my heart in ways the others did not. This book has Rilke's original German poems on the left hand page, and Babette Deutsch's translations on the right. The main problem is that the translations are not very good. They are too ornate, and include words and phrases which are not included in Rilke's orginal. Words can't convey the passion and intensity of these poems. They have to be experienced. I would recommend them to everyone, whether or not you agree with his philosophy. This work is seamless. A beautiful collection of poetry that makes my heart sing when I read it. no reviews | add a review Is contained in
Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0810118882, Paperback)A bilingual edition of a seminal work by the greatest German poet of the twentieth century.(retrieved from Amazon Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:21:43 -0400) This is the first complete translation of Rainer Maria Rilke's Book of Hours in more than forty years. It provides English-speaking readers with access to a critical work in the development of the most significant figure in twentieth-century German poetry. A tripartite work comprising "The Book of the Monkish Life," "The Book of Pilgrimage," and "The Book of Poverty and Death," The Book of Hours in published here in a bilingual format, with the original German and the English translation on facing pages.Conveying an almost mystical conception of the relationship among God, man, and nature, The Book of Hours (Das Stunden-Buch, first published in 1905) is a series of intimate prayers written as if by a Russian monk turned painter -- writings that bring to bear the profound influence of Rilke's journeys to Russia and Italy at the turn of the century.Annemarie S. Kidder's delicately nuanced translation preserves Rilke's uncomplicated and melodic flow, his rhythm, and, where possible, his rhyme while remaining true to content. Kidder's introduction and notes offer historical and interpretive background information, largely from Rilke's own diaries and correspondence, chronicling the influence of various geographical settings on the writing of The Book of Hours and illustrating Rilke's own spiritual quest. Also included are translated excerpts of an earlier manuscript of The Book of Hours, along with interpretations of the poetry.… (more) |
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