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In 1902 an aspiring poet named Franz Kappus sent a letter to his idol, Rainer Maria Rilke, asking him to evaluate some of his poetry. In the course of this relationship Rilke would send ten letters to Kappus, which the young poet collected and published after Rilke's death.

In these letters Rilke discussed how one knows whether one is cut out to be a writer ? if you couldn?t write anymore, could you keep on living? -, stressed the importance of introspection and loneliness in the production of art, celebrated sexuality, affirmed his belief in God, identified his inspirations, and dismissed the importance of literary and esthetic criticism.

Although Kappus started corresponding with Rilke in order to receive some critiques, Rilke never talked too much about his poems, declaring an aversion to criticizing art at all. Instead he tried to help Kappus determine whether he was fit at all to follow the life of a poet and to find the meaning of his life.

It?s a beautiful short book, in which Rilke just pours his soul into each letter, and probably remains the perfect introduction to this writer. I only regret Kappus? letters are not included, although they probably haven?t survived history. I also wish I knew whether Kappus ever became the poet he wanted to be.