Poems from the Book of Hours
by Rainer Maria Rilke, Babette Deutsch (Translator)
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AlthoughThe Book of Hours is the work of Rilke's youth, it contains the germ of his mature convictions. Written as spontaneously received prayers, these poems celebrate a God who is not the Creator of the Universe but rather humanity itself and, above all, that most intensely conscious part of humanity, the artist. Babette Deutsch's classic translations--born from "the pure desire to sing what the poet sang" (Ursula K. Le Guin)--capture the rich harmony and suggestive imagery of the show more originals, transporting the reader to new heights of inspiration and musicality. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I was unable to resist buying this tiny little beautiful book in Brooklyn on my last day of my NYC trip for Book Riot Live, despite the fact that my bags were already packed full to overflowing. With books. I mean, it's so tiny, right? I just added it to all of the books in my purse.
It read it as a change of pace during Dewey's readathon. I'd been reading through The Familiar for hours and was starting to despair that I'd never finish a book again, so I grabbed this book and went on a walk. Of course the type in this book was so tiny that it made walking and reading difficult (even for a pro like me), but it liked being read out of doors, so I sat out in the yard to finish it.
I don't think that I've read Rilke before, so this was a show more nice (if brief) introduction. These poems (translations) are lovely and challenging. They speak to the soul. I can see myself reading them over and over. Indeed, it took me forever to write this review because I kept doing just that. These are definitely the type of poems that reward re-reading.
I shall have to seek out more Rilke. I am glad that I was tempted (and did not resist) this beautiful little book. show less
It read it as a change of pace during Dewey's readathon. I'd been reading through The Familiar for hours and was starting to despair that I'd never finish a book again, so I grabbed this book and went on a walk. Of course the type in this book was so tiny that it made walking and reading difficult (even for a pro like me), but it liked being read out of doors, so I sat out in the yard to finish it.
I don't think that I've read Rilke before, so this was a show more nice (if brief) introduction. These poems (translations) are lovely and challenging. They speak to the soul. I can see myself reading them over and over. Indeed, it took me forever to write this review because I kept doing just that. These are definitely the type of poems that reward re-reading.
I shall have to seek out more Rilke. I am glad that I was tempted (and did not resist) this beautiful little book. show less
The loftiness of these poems, all of which address and quest after God, isn't really to my taste. But it is Rilke and he is a natural poet unable to write a bad line. The translation by Babette Deutsch is terrific. It plays quite loose but reads with fluency and grace, and the tenor of the original is fully achieved.
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.
3 1/2 stars.
This is a very small book. But very deep. I wish the translator had done the rest of the poems.
I will reread it again.
But I think I need to find more Rilke.
This is a very small book. But very deep. I wish the translator had done the rest of the poems.
I will reread it again.
But I think I need to find more Rilke.
this is an absolutely lovely little book of poetry! rilke is a genius in reading and writing the soul.
DJ has minor issues, but VG cond. overall
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German Literature
518 works; 55 members
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1,112+ Works 31,459 Members
More than any other modern German writer, Rainer Maria Rilke seems to match our romantic idea of what a poet should be, though, as with many writers, separating artistry from affectation is often difficult. Restless, sensitive, reverent, yet egotistical, Rilke often seems to hover in his poems like a sort of ethereal being. He was born in 1875 to show more a wealthy family in Prague. After a few years devoted to the study of art and literature, he spent most of his adult life wandering among the European capitals and devoting himself single-mindedly to poetry. His early poems reflect his interest in the visual and plastic arts, as he tries to lose himself in contemplation of objects such as an antique torso of Apollo.His later books of poetry, such as Duino Elegies (1923) and Sonnets to Orpheus (1923), on the contrary, focus intently on internal realms. The poetry of Rilke is noted, above all, for metaphysical and psychological nuances. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Some Editions
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1941
- Disambiguation notice
- The NDP edition is only a selection from the Book of Hours, please don't combine with others.
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Statistics
- Members
- 288
- Popularity
- 111,564
- Reviews
- 6
- Rating
- (3.80)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 5
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 10
