---
product_id: 523434177
title: "Letters to a Young Poet: Little Black Classics (Penguin Little Black Classics)"
price: "$34"
currency: NZD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 10
url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/523434177-letters-to-a-young-poet-little-black-classics-penguin-little
store_origin: NZ
region: New Zealand
---

# Letters to a Young Poet: Little Black Classics (Penguin Little Black Classics)

**Price:** $34
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Letters to a Young Poet: Little Black Classics (Penguin Little Black Classics)
- **How much does it cost?** $34 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/523434177-letters-to-a-young-poet-little-black-classics-penguin-little)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Letters to a Young Poet: Little Black Classics (Penguin Little Black Classics) on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Letters to a Young Poet: Little Black Classics (Penguin Little Black Classics)

Review: Letters to a Young Poet - I loved it! It reminded of the literature I had to read many years ago, when I was in college. Notice I wrote the verb "had". I am feeling a little guilty of not appreciating the works I had to read, then, and puzzled, by how I admire them now. The content of these letters are timeless. "It is perhaps no use now to reply to your actual words; for what can I say about your disposition to doubt or about your inability to bring your outer and inner life into harmony, or about anything else that oppresses you-: it is always what I have said before; always the wish that you might be able to find patience enough in yourself to endure, and a single-heartedness enough to believe; that you might win increasing trust in what is difficult, and in your solitude among other people. And for the rest, let life happen to you. Believe me:life is right, at all events".I think it reads like a prayer. I have no knowledge of the German Language, but if this translation conjures this kind of emotion, imagine the impact it should have on the reader that reads the original. Thank you!
Review: An extremely honest write- a must reading for any aspiring writer - Raine Maria Rilke shows remarkable understanding of human state. The book has ten letters addressed to a Young poet. We don't get to read the letters which the young poet, Franz Kappus, seeking advice wrote to him.. In the course of reading the book, Raine makes references to what is on the mind of the poet seeking his advice. He is extremely polite, honest in his assessment of the seeker's work, conflicts in his mind, shares his own journey in life- his health problems, how to make the most of what life deals you. He is compassionate and forthright. The letters cover a whole range of thoughts that lead to turmoil, situations that impose loneliness. Rainer advises the poet to make most of every opportunity which offers stillness and solitude. His tone is gentle, not at all condescending, encouraging.. The lines- 'In every experience and action that lies before you it will, as a nameless influence, have a continued and imperceptibly decisive effect upon you, something after the manner in which our forefathers blood stirs unceasingly within us and joins itself to our own form that unique and unrepeatable thing, that we ourselves are in all the changes of our life'. As a poet and creative writer I relate to this profound work, and recommend it to consummate writers too, who so far haven't come across it. Mamta Agarwal

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,307,902 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (2,584) |
| Dimensions  | 6.34 x 0.2 x 4.37 inches |
| Edition  | UK ed. |
| ISBN-10  | 0241252059 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-0241252055 |
| Item Weight  | 1.87 ounces |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 56 pages |
| Publisher  | Penguin Classics |

## Images

![Letters to a Young Poet: Little Black Classics (Penguin Little Black Classics) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61CWI5oey6L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Letters to a Young Poet
*by M***Y on May 31, 2016*

I loved it! It reminded of the literature I had to read many years ago, when I was in college. Notice I wrote the verb "had". I am feeling a little guilty of not appreciating the works I had to read, then, and puzzled, by how I admire them now. The content of these letters are timeless. "It is perhaps no use now to reply to your actual words; for what can I say about your disposition to doubt or about your inability to bring your outer and inner life into harmony, or about anything else that oppresses you-: it is always what I have said before; always the wish that you might be able to find patience enough in yourself to endure, and a single-heartedness enough to believe; that you might win increasing trust in what is difficult, and in your solitude among other people. And for the rest, let life happen to you. Believe me:life is right, at all events".I think it reads like a prayer. I have no knowledge of the German Language, but if this translation conjures this kind of emotion, imagine the impact it should have on the reader that reads the original. Thank you!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An extremely honest write- a must reading for any aspiring writer
*by M***L on July 17, 2013*

Raine Maria Rilke shows remarkable understanding of human state. The book has ten letters addressed to a Young poet. We don't get to read the letters which the young poet, Franz Kappus, seeking advice wrote to him.. In the course of reading the book, Raine makes references to what is on the mind of the poet seeking his advice. He is extremely polite, honest in his assessment of the seeker's work, conflicts in his mind, shares his own journey in life- his health problems, how to make the most of what life deals you. He is compassionate and forthright. The letters cover a whole range of thoughts that lead to turmoil, situations that impose loneliness. Rainer advises the poet to make most of every opportunity which offers stillness and solitude. His tone is gentle, not at all condescending, encouraging.. The lines- 'In every experience and action that lies before you it will, as a nameless influence, have a continued and imperceptibly decisive effect upon you, something after the manner in which our forefathers blood stirs unceasingly within us and joins itself to our own form that unique and unrepeatable thing, that we ourselves are in all the changes of our life'. As a poet and creative writer I relate to this profound work, and recommend it to consummate writers too, who so far haven't come across it. Mamta Agarwal

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A must-read classic
*by E***. on October 30, 2013*

If you've never read this book, I recommend it for the experience. It's a quick read that gives you a glimpse into Rilke's perspective of life. It gives generally gives good life advice to the young poet writing him that I value today. For instance, Rilke tells the writer not to be too concerned with how others perceive him or whether they find his material worthy of accolades. I think today it's so easy to get caught up in being accepted and finding our worth from the eyes of others, but it's a dangerous trap. You'll live your life on a hamster wheel if you're constantly seeking approval of others without the self-confidence to take your own path. It's a great read and one that I'd return to periodically. A perfect gift for young people, especially. I think I'll get one for a cousin who's graduating high school soon.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Letters to a Young Poet: Little Black Classics (Penguin Little Black Classics)
- White Nights
- Only Dull People Are Brilliant at Breakfast (Penguin Little Black Classics)

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.nz/products/523434177-letters-to-a-young-poet-little-black-classics-penguin-little](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/523434177-letters-to-a-young-poet-little-black-classics-penguin-little)

---

*Product available on Desertcart New Zealand*
*Store origin: NZ*
*Last updated: 2026-02-11*