The Rilke Alphabet

By: Ulrich Baer

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Synopsis: The renowned Rilke scholar brings the poet&’s work to life for modern readers through 26 essays, each devoted to a single word found in his writings. Ulrich Baer&’s The Rilke Alphabet explores the enduring power of one of the world&’s greatest poets, a visionary who saw that even the smallest overlooked word could unlock life&’s mysteries. With deep insight and love for Rilke&’s language, Baer examines twenty-six words that are not merely unexpected in his work, but problematic—even scandalous. Through twenty-six evocative essays, Baer sheds new light on Rilke&’s creative process and his deepest thoughts about life, art, politics, sexuality, love, and death. The Rilke Alphabet shows how the poet&’s work can be a guide to life even in our contemporary world. Whether it is a love letter to frogs, a troubling—though brief—infatuation with Mussolini, a sustained reflection on the Buddha, or the impassioned assertion that freedom must be lived in order to be known, Rilke&’s thoroughly original writings pull us deeply into life. Baer&’s decades-long experience as a scholar, translator, and editor of Rilke&’s writings allows him to reveal unique aspects of Rilke&’s work. The Rilke Alphabet will surprise and delight Rilke fans, and deepen every reader&’s sense of the power of poetry to penetrate the mysteries of our world.