The Book of Hours: Prayers to a Lowly God (European Poetry Classics) - Softcover

Rilke, Rainer Maria

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0810118882 ISBN 13: 9780810118881

Publisher: Northwestern University Press, 2001

Synopsis

This a complete translation of Rainer Maria Rilke's ""The Book of Hours"" that restores to the English-speaking reader a critical work in the development of a significant figure in 20th-century German poetry. Conveying an almost mystical conception of the relationship between God, the human being and nature, ""The Book of Hours"" (""Das Stundenbuch"", first published in 1905) is a series of intimate prayers written as if by a Russian monk turned painter - writings that bring to bear the profound influence of Rilke's journeys to Russia and Italy at the turn of the century. A tripartite work comprised of ""The Book of the Monkish Life"", ""The Book of Pilgrimage"", and ""The Book of Poverty and Death"", the book is published here in a bilingual format, with the original German and the English translation on facing pages. Annemarie S. Kidder's translation imitates Rilke's uncomplicated and melodic flow, his rhythm and, where possible, his rhyme, while remaining true to content. Each line closely reflects the thought of the original as it strives to preserve Rilke's simplicity of style, economy of words, and candour in addressing God. Kidder's introduction and commentary offer historical and interpretive background information, largely from Rilke's own diaries and correspondence, chronicling the influence of various geographical settings on the writing of ""The Book of Hours"" and illustrating his own spiritual quest. Also included are translated excerpts from an earlier manuscript of ""The Book of Hours"", along with prose inserts that interpret the reading of the poetry.

About this title

Review:

"[Kidder] presents careful, rhymed versions of the entire three-part work, which reflects on the duties of the artist and his or her relations to various institutions and constituencies, including God, kings and "the house of the poor," which is "like a child's hand." --Publishers Weekly

From the Back Cover:

This is the first complete translation of Rainer Maria Rilke's Book of Hours in more than forty years. It provides English-speaking readers with access to a critical work in the development of the most significant figure in twentieth-century German poetry. A tripartite work comprising "The Book of the Monkish Life," "The Book of Pilgrimage," and "The Book of Poverty and Death," The Book of Hours is published here in a bilingual format, with the original German and the English translation on facing pages.
Conveying an almost mystical conception of the relationship among God, man, and nature, The Book of Hours (Das Stunden-Buch, first published in 1905) is a series of intimate prayers written as if by a Russian monk turned painter-writings that bring to bear the profound influence of Rilke's journeys to Russia and Italy at the turn of the century.
Annemarie S. Kidder's delicately nuanced translation preserves Rilke's uncomplicated and melodic flow, his rhythm, and, where possible, his rhyme while remaining true to content. Kidder's introduction and notes offer historical and interpretive background information, largely from Rilke's own diaries and correspondence, chronicling the influence of various geographical settings on the writing of The Book of Hours and illustrating Rilke's own spiritual quest. Also included are translated excerpts of an earlier manuscript of The Book of Hours, along with interpretations of the poetry.

About this edition

• Publisher: Northwestern University Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0810118882
• ISBN 13: 9780810118881
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 264