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. ( )

Good, engaging translations; the first book of hours contains a number of fine evocative poems, in which Rilke's wonder and awe strongly come though. The later books are not as strong, however, and seem to have a stream of bitterness or loss of hope running through them. ( )