Briefe an die Mutter

So far, only 29 letters from the corpus of letters to the mother have been published; over 1100 letters are now being presented to the public for the first time. They provide remarkable insights into the poet's everyday life and illuminate his preferences and concerns. The complicated relationship with his mother is also cast in a completely new light. On December 4, 1896, Rilke celebrates his 21st birthday. The following day, he sends his mother the newly released poetry collection "Traumgekrönt," to which he adds a thank-you letter for the birthday gift on December 8: "In the time of my television, I have become two bodily years older, mentally perhaps 10 years older." The turning point Rilke refers to, marked by the date of coming of age, is also reflected in the resumption of correspondence with his mother after a three-year pause, which continues until shortly before Rilke's death.