The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge

by Rainer Maria Rilke
The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 5521
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9781564787064
  • Publisher: Deep Vellum Publishing
  • Published: 2008-10-01
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3

The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge is a seminal work of modernist literature, offering a deeply introspective account of a young poet's struggle with identity and mortality. Malte Laurids Brigge, the sole surviving descendant of an aristocratic family, lives in poverty in Paris, his mind haunted by the ghosts of his past and the inevitability of death. His observations of the city's inhabitants, each seemingly marked by their own mortality, fuel his poetic reflections and existential musings. Published in 1910, this semi-autobiographical novel is renowned for its lyrical brilliance and profound exploration of time, memory, and the human condition. The new translation by Burton Pike aims to capture the essence of Rilke's German text, preserving both its beauty and its unsettling strangeness.

Reviews
The Rauch Review · Quentin Gorres · 2024-08-26
mixed 4.50

The reviewer enjoyed the book but has mixed feelings about it. They appreciate the depth and complexity of Rilke's prose but find some aspects challenging.

Quentin Gorres from The Rauch Review has a nuanced take on 'The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge'. They highlight the book's profound exploration of existential themes and the beauty of Rilke's prose. However, they also note that the book's fragmented structure and dense philosophical content can be challenging. Gorres appreciates the lyrical and analytical descriptions that bring the protagonist's observations to life, but they also acknowledge that some readers might struggle with the book's abstract nature.

Quick quotes

    I enjoyed 'The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge' by Rainer Maria Rilke and this review, I think, shows that.

    But I do have some mixed feelings.

    The novel is a profound exploration of existential themes, wrapped in Rilke's signature poetic prose.

BooksYo · 2016-01-09
enthusiastic 4.75

The reviewer highly recommends the book, noting that it is one of their favorites, but acknowledges that some readers might find it challenging.

The reviewer from BooksYo has a deep appreciation for 'The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge', calling it one of their favorite books. They highlight Rilke's ability to capture the essence of human experience and the beauty of his prose. However, they also acknowledge that the book's philosophical depth and fragmented structure might be challenging for some readers. The reviewer encourages readers to persist through the difficulties, as the rewards are well worth the effort.

Quick quotes

    I really hope you do read it, it is one of my favourite books [most things Rilke wrote mean a lot to me].

    I only suggest that some will struggle with the dense philosophical content and the book's non-linear structure.

    The lyrical and analytical descriptions are unforgettable and make the reading experience deeply rewarding.

Tony's Reading List · 2015-11-19
thoughtful 3.75

The reviewer describes the book as a collection of thoughts rather than a traditional novel, highlighting its unique structure and philosophical depth.

The reviewer on Tony's Reading List offers a perspective on 'The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge' that emphasizes its non-traditional form. They see it as a collection of profound thoughts and observations from a young nobleman in Paris, rather than a conventional novel. This structure allows for a deep dive into existential and philosophical themes, making it a rich and thought-provoking read. The reviewer appreciates the book's unique approach to storytelling and its ability to evoke deep introspection.

Quick quotes

    The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge is less a novel than a collection of thoughts from a young Germanic nobleman living in Paris.

    It's a book that invites the reader to ponder the nature of existence and the human condition.

    The fragmented structure can be challenging, but it also allows for a more intimate and personal reading experience.

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