Why read Selected Poems of Rainer Maria Rilke?

Book cover of Selected Poems of Rainer Maria Rilke

Book description

For poetry lovers and students of literature and literary criticism, Robert Bly, the National Book Award-winning poet, brings his prowess as a translator and critic to bear on the work of one of the major German poets of the century.

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Poetry

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Why read it?

1 author picked Selected Poems of Rainer Maria Rilke as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Jeffrey Dunn

Author

People said I should read Rilke. I didn’t until I found an old copy of this book in a used bookstore, and I was glad I did. The book is organized chronologically, and each period of Rilke’s publication history is interspersed with poet Robert Bly’s commentary. I found Bly’s thoughts invaluable, providing context and focusing my attention. I learned that Rilke’s German God is of the swamp and the bog, not the sky. Who knew?

From Jeffrey's 3 favorite reads in 2025.