The captivating original English translation of Rilke’s landmark poetry cycle, by Vita and Edward Sackville-West
In 1931, Virginia and Leonard Woolf’s Hogarth Press published a beautiful edition of Rainer Maria Rilke’s Duino Elegies, in English translation by the writers Vita and Edward Sackville-West. This marked the English debut of Rilke’s masterpiece, which would go on to influence countless poets, musicians and artists across the English-speaking world.
Now published for the first time in 90 years, the Sackville-Wests’ translation is both a fascinating historical document and a magnificent blank-verse rendering of Rilke’s poetry cycle. Featuring a new introduction from critic Lesley Chamberlain, this reissue casts one of European literature’s great masterpieces in fresh light.
Part of the Pushkin Press Classics series: timeless storytelling by icons of literature, hand-picked from around the globe.
Translated by Vita Sackville-West and Edward Sackville-West
Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) is considered one of the greatest German-language writers to have ever lived. He is best known for his Duino Elegies, Sonnets to Orpheus, and The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge.
Reviews
The deepest mysteries of existence embodied in the most delicate and precise images. For me, the greatest poetry of the 20th century
Guardian
Fascinating
Guardian
A real event… this gorgeous hardcover collector’s item is worth it for the look – and for the backstory
ExBerliner
