About the book
From the writer of the classic Letters to a Young Poet, reflections on grief and loss, collected and published here in one volume for the first time.
“A great poet’s reflections on our greatest mystery.”—Billy Collins
“A treasure . . . The solace Rilke offers is uncommon, uplifting and necessary.”—The Guardian
Gleaned from Rainer Maria Rilke’s voluminous, never-before-translated letters to bereaved friends and acquaintances, The Dark Interval is a profound vision of the mourning process and a meditation on death’s place in our lives. Following the format of Letters to a Young Poet, this book arranges Rilke’s letters into an uninterrupted sequence, showcasing the full range of the great author’s thoughts on death and dying, as well as his sensitive and moving expressions of consolation and condolence.
Presented with care and authority by master translator Ulrich Baer, The Dark Interval is a literary treasure, an indispensable resource for anyone searching for solace, comfort, and meaning in a time of grief.
Praise for The Dark Interval
“Even though each of these letters of condolence is personalized with intimate detail, together they hammer home Rilke’s remarkable truth about the death of another: that the pain of it can force us into a ‘deeper . . . level of life’ and render us more ‘vibrant.’ Here we have a great poet’s reflections on our greatest mystery.”—Billy Collins
“As we live our lives, it is possible to feel not sadness or melancholy but a rush of power as the life of others passes into us. This rhapsodic volume teaches us that death is not a negation but a deepening experience in the onslaught of existence. What a wise and victorious book!”—Henri Cole
Editions of The Dark Interval
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780525509844
- EBook
- ISBN 9780525509851
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780525630937
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780525630944
Read an Excerpt
From the writer of the classic Letters to a Young Poet, reflections on grief and loss, collected and published here in one volume for the first time.
“A great poet’s reflections on our greatest mystery.”—Billy Collins
“A treasure . . . The solace Rilke offers is uncommon, uplifting and necessary.”—The Guardian
Gleaned from Rainer Maria Rilke’s voluminous, never-before-translated letters to bereaved friends and acquaintances, The Dark Interval is a profound vision of the mourning process and a meditation on death’s place in our lives. Following the format of Letters to a Young Poet, this book arranges Rilke’s letters into an uninterrupted sequence, showcasing the full range of the great author’s thoughts on death and dying, as well as his sensitive and moving expressions of consolation and condolence.
Presented with care and authority by master translator Ulrich Baer, The Dark Interval is a literary treasure, an indispensable resource for anyone searching for solace, comfort, and meaning in a time of grief.
Praise for The Dark Interval
“Even though each of these letters of condolence is personalized with intimate detail, together they hammer home Rilke’s remarkable truth about the death of another: that the pain of it can force us into a ‘deeper . . . level of life’ and render us more ‘vibrant.’ Here we have a great poet’s reflections on our greatest mystery.”—Billy Collins
“As we live our lives, it is possible to feel not sadness or melancholy but a rush of power as the life of others passes into us. This rhapsodic volume teaches us that death is not a negation but a deepening experience in the onslaught of existence. What a wise and victorious book!”—Henri Cole
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Dark Interval about?
From the writer of the classic Letters to a Young Poet, reflections on grief and loss, collected and published here in one volume for the first time.
“A great poet’s reflections on our greatest mystery.”—Billy Collins
“A treasure . . . The solace Rilke offers is uncommon, uplifting and necessary.”—The Guardian
Gleaned from Rainer Maria Rilke’s voluminous, never-before-translated letters to bereaved friends and acquaintances, The Dark Interval is a profound vision of the mourning process and a meditation on death’s place in our lives. Following the format of Letters to a Young Poet, this book arranges Rilke’s letters into an uninterrupted sequence, showcasing the full range of the great author’s thoughts on death and dying, as well as his sensitive and moving expressions of consolation and condolence.
Presented with care and authority by master translator Ulrich Baer, The Dark Interval is a literary treasure, an indispensable resource for anyone searching for solace, comfort, and meaning in a time of grief.
Praise for The Dark Interval
“Even though each of these letters of condolence is personalized with intimate detail, together they hammer home Rilke’s remarkable truth about the death of another: that the pain of it can force us into a ‘deeper . . . level of life’ and render us more ‘vibrant.’ Here we have a great poet’s reflections on our greatest mystery.”—Billy Collins
“As we live our lives, it is possible to feel not sadness or melancholy but a rush of power as the life of others passes into us. This rhapsodic volume teaches us that death is not a negation but a deepening experience in the onslaught of existence. What a wise and victorious book!”—Henri Cole
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Dark Interval?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Published diaries, letters and journals
Where can I read a sample of The Dark Interval?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780525509844
Is The Dark Interval part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Modern Library Classics
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Dark Interval?
Rainer Maria Rilke
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Dark Interval is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780525509844) and ebook(ISBN 9780525509851) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780525630937) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780525630944)
Where can I buy The Dark Interval online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Dark Interval from below
Where can I buy The Dark Interval?