French Poems - Rainer Maria Rilke

Advantages: Creative, interesting, moving without false sentiment
Disadvantages: None

...Williams is not romantic. The poet reminds us that he is Welsh, not English, but that the Celtic influence has faded a great deal, just as the Celtic strands of culture have generally been subsumed under other meta-narrative structures such as English, French and German cultures. Will the Celts survive? Current Celtic entertainments captivate people, but are these authentic? Williams' words seem almost experimental at times. - - - - -Translations- - - - - The majority of these poems are translations from the Welsh poet Waldo Williams, an innovative poet who died in the 1970s; other poems include Welsh poets Ann Griffiths (d. 1805) and T. Gwynn Jones (d. 1949). Williams doesn’t force the rhyme or the cadence of the Welsh onto the English, making these more of a blank-verse, save for one: Wind murmurs in the trees at Ystrad Fflur... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: none
Disadvantages: can't read it

...if you are a fan of reading german poetry then i would not recommend this. rilke wrote in prague, but is always put in second place on the great prague writers to Kafka (Kundera is also pushing for a place), and is deservedly there. he is difficult to follow. if you want to read simialr poetry, but which is better, read Baudelaire - it is much more rewarding. as regards german poetry he is rather inaccessible. poets like hienrich heine are far better. he is funny and at least when he writes of love and women it is with a touch of ironic honesty. i find rilke too concerned with himself and not concerned enough with his reader. but then again that culd be what he was trying to do. make your own choise and good luck!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Some unusual inclusions
Disadvantages: Assumes aspects of grammar have been studied previously

...A wide choice of materials is available for beginners learning French, but resources that help you attain fluency and teach the finer points of grammar are harder to find. One that definitely warrants consideration is TEACH YOURSELF IMPROVE YOUR FRENCH. It comprises a book and two sixty-minute CDs for learners at intermediate level. The ten units contain dialogues with explanatory vocabulary lists and language activities based upon the dialogues. There are in addition two of Victor Hugo's poems, one or two passages about France's geography, economy and education system, a weather forecast and a President's New Year address. Business vocabulary is introduced as well as colloquial style. You can hear an official phone call and a more informal one, and learn how to compose a letter as well as fill in forms in French. The grammar... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful