The Rilke of Ruth Speirs: New Poems, Duino Elegies, Sonnets to Orpheus, & Others by Rainer Maria Rilke and translated by Ruth Speirs is the complete collection of Speirs translations of Rilke's poetry. Rainer Maria Rilke is universally recognized as among the most important twentieth-century German-language poets. Ruth Speirs was a Latvian exile who joined the British literary community in Cairo during World War II. This is the first time all of Speirs' translations are presented in one volume.

I am starting to believe that the only thing more difficult than writing great poetry is taking the poet's work and translating it to another language and still maintain the poet's thoughts. To read poetry in English and forget that you are reading a translation is literary transcendence. The poems presented in this collection will have the reader believing that English was the original language.

Rilke's poems capture moments in time from a time long past. The detail of her descriptions such as in "The Merry-Go-Round" put the reader in the Jardin du Luxembourg. It is not too far fetched to think you hear the carousel's music playing in your head. The poems maintain rhythm and imagery that throughout the collection.

Speirs' translation of Rilke's' work is nothing short of superb. This collection is for readers who enjoy poetry and its complexity. I would not recommend this collection to a casual poetry reader. At first look, it reminded me poetry in college English Literature. As a non-English major it seemed daunting at first and took some time to build up to. The poetry here is excellent and at times a bit complex in a very good way. Here is a poetry's lovers collection.

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Rilke has always had a very special place in my heart. When I first read him, I immediately fell in love with his words. Throughout the years, I have read and re-read his poems -mostly the Duino Elegies and Sonnets to Orpheus because they are my favorite. Every time I read Rilke I encounter different meanings in his poems and his words evoke unique feelings in me. Somehow, to my astonishment, he still finds new ways to cast a spell over me.

When I came across this book, I knew it was perfect for me. The translations I own are all by Stephen Mitchell, so I was curious to read someone else's translation. (It's like trying a new topping on your favorite ice cream, I figured I couldn't go wrong). I don't know any German, so I can't attest to the accuracy of the translation but as familiar as I am with Rilke's words, I can say that I found it refreshing to read Ruth Speirs's translation. Even though I did notice different words here and there and small variations, it was still as enjoyable as ever to spend time with the angel of the elegies and get lost in Rilke's beautiful words.

I definitely recommend this book to all fans of Rilke and to all poetry lovers out there.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review* ( )