You Must Change Your Life: The Story of Rainer Maria Rilke and Auguste Rodin

You Must Change Your Life is about German poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who went to Paris in 1902, at the age of 26, to write a book about the sculptor Auguste Rodin (who sculpted The Thinker and The Kiss).When they met, young Rilke (1875-1926) was a loner and a poor, unknown poet, whereas Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), in his 60s, was revered, outgoing, and famous. The two polar opposites in status and personalities developed a deep friendship.Rilke and Rodin – their friendship, their rupture, the reversal and renewal, their marriages, and then Rilke ‘no longer a sapling cowering beneath the shade of Rodin.’ World War I followed, and both left Paris, but by then Rodin’s ideas about art and creativity had already influenced Rilke’s work.This is interesting account of two artistic men in Paris over a period of 15 years, and their interconnectedness, personally and professionally. It’s an enjoyable read.

Not a bad read on two interesting artists there lives and associations..It was not a very flattering portrayal of Rodin in his declining years but a nice one on Rilke at the height of his creativity..He(Rilke) was restless and always in search of something, and his work was reflective of that struggle for truth and purity in the creative process. Unfortunately he( in this depiction) also struck me as being selfish and often thoughtless , but such is the life of so many creative types who worked on such a high level..Same can be said of Rodin. He was difficult to those he claimed to love. He objectified woman and was incapable of seeing them as intellectual equals. His frailties troubled Rilke , but he learned valuable lessons while in the shadow of Rodin's world.I think it was a critical affiliation for him and to his development as a writer..

I am a huge fan of both Rodin and Rilke. I commend the author's choice of topic, but the execution leaves much to be desired. There is some interesting information in this book, but the author's tone (and general approach to biography) is unbearable. Often she imputes feelings to the characters involved without any factual basis (this is how X must have felt, she thinks, but this is often pure conjecture), and she writes in a way that is often condescending to and shows lack of deeper understanding of, these artists. Despite wanting to learn more (and there are, interspersed between the overly sentimental conjectures, some interesting facts in there), I couldn't stand her attributing her own sentiments to the characters and that awful tone.

An amazing book! It is incredibly interesting, adding depth and dimension to two well known artists in a way that creates a deeper awareness of not only their relationship, but the relationship of art in ones life. Because of this, it is a very engaging read no matter your interest in Rodin and in Rilke. Great insights are to be made of their lives through other relationships, particularly with their female muses. A very engaging book!

To be honest, I didn’t know about the relationship between Rodin and Rilke before this book. The author, Rachel Corbett illustrates the life of these two dazzling artists vividly and lucidly. Every moments around them were not amicable but the vicissitude of that is woven into more understandable and approachable view for us in terms of real life. If you want the deeper biography about the poet and the sculptor respectively, you can feel a bit disappointed but you can enjoy such a interesting territory through this juxtaposition of this unexpected encounter. Sometimes, the both experienced discord with each other, but eventually they’ve helped reach incredible achievement which we enjoy now. If you start this book, you must be enchanted by this amazing packet of anecdotes.

This biography is less about either artist than it is about the relationships, Rodin and Rilke, Epson and Claudel, Rilke and Andreas-Salome, Rilke and Westhoff, Rilke and Becker.... All these artists feeding off each other make this a much richer story than a standard biography would be. Highly recommended.

If you enjoy the sculpture of Rodin, the poetry of Rilke this is the book for you. I enjoyed learning more about their lives and relationships.Well researched and beautifully written with charming anecdotes you will repeat to friends. One of my favorite books of 2016.

A compositional work in it's own right. Corbett has interwoven a relationship between two influential artists in an entertaining and enthralling manner. You do not need to have a background in either literature or art to appreciate the symbolic nature of the ebb and flow of human nature. I laugh, I cried, what more could you ask for?!

Lyrical and expansive, this book tells an extraordinary story in a thoroughly captivating way. The depth of research and insight is breath-taking, it is a true achievement. I was sorry to come to the end of this stunning book.

Well-written, extremely interesting, and follows a good pace. All in all, I would definitely recommend it !

Started yesterday and hooked

A well written and fascinating read

Light, good for carrying in beg. Ihave not finished reading yet, but something Rilke's fans should not miss. Fully recommended.

Great book. Well researched and written. Have loaned it to a friend.