Only Song We Have: The Creative Friendship Of Rilke And Rodin

The Only Song We Have by Lawrence Kessenich is a novel that reimagines the transformative historical encounter between the young German poet Rainer Maria Rilke and the legendary French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Set in 1902, the narrative follows Rilke as he arrives at Rodin's home in Meudon to interview the artist and compose a scholarly monograph on his life's work. Through Rilke's first-person perspective, the text explores the initial tension and subsequent fascination he feels while observing Rodin's intense, work-driven philosophy and tactile approach to beauty. The author depicts a vibrant household filled with Rodin's wife Rose, his secretary, and a sprawling studio of plaster and clay fragments that leave the poet in a state of artistic awe. Ultimately, the story captures Rilke's personal struggle with his own creative identity as he attempts to translate Rodin's physical masterpieces into meaningful verse. This fictionalized account highlights the profound mentorship and intellectual exchange that occurred between two of the most influential figures in modern art and literature.