The Poetry of Rilke

Journey into the heart of German poetry with this bilingual collection of work from one of the twentieth century’s greatest poets.

Experience a deep dive into the mesmerizing world of one of the most significant poets of the twentieth century with The Poetry of Rilke. Uncover an unparalleled collection of Rilke’s finest works, elegantly translated over the course of two decades by acclaimed scholar Edward Snow. This collection brings to light over two hundred and fifty of Rilke’s distinguished gems, including the complete versions of his towering masterpieces, the Sonnets to Orpheus and Duino Elegies.

From his early poetic explorations in The Book of Hours to his visionary verses written in the twilight of his life, this collection spans the breadth of Rilke’s literary evolution. This landmark bilingual edition not only invites you to a breathtaking trip to the heart of lyrical and existential poetry but also serves as a comprehensive platform to appreciate the magical interplay between German and English verses.

Alongside Rilke’s works, Snow’s enlightening commentaries yield a richer comprehension of Rilke’s illustrious verses. The Poetry of Rilke will stand as the authoritative single-volume translation of Rilke into English for years to come.

“This mammoth book brings together generous selections from all of Snow’s volumes of Rilke in their recently revised editions; it’s certain to be the definitive collection of Rilke for some time to come.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)