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cpenny124's review against another edition
3.0
Although I am not religious, it was a joy to read this spiritual, intelligent book of poetry. Cohen is a very religious man, but his music and his poetry doesnt play on the constant appraisal of his God. I grew so fond of it, because it depicted the sin that is said to take a place in all of our minds. It shows the lust, burning desire, the fight, the repentance, and the reminder, that God is seen as almighty not in his place to conceal men from sin, but rather His test to see if man can withstand the battle of existing.
rifow1's review against another edition
5.0
Cohen does what he does best - hard hitting religious poetry that delves into the dark corners of the religious life, bringing incredibly beautiful insight to what it means to live in the mercy of God. As a christian this Poem (I believe this is really just a singular poem rather than a collection) broke my heart in such a way that it enabled God to enter further into my brokenness. For as Cohen famously sang "There is a crack, a crack in everything; That's how the light gets in"
“How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in?” ― Oscar Wilde
“How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in?” ― Oscar Wilde
alexa_frost's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.0
More religious than expected or desired. Not sure if I didn’t like it or I just didn’t really get it, but maybe both.
shirin_mandi's review against another edition
5.0
Face me to the rays of love, O source of light, or face me to the majesty of your darkness, but not here, do not leave me here, where death is forgotten, and the new thing grins.
My plan was to read a great Canadian book on the first of July, my dear Canadian friend, Carolyn helped me to choose [b:The Stone Angel|1102322|The Stone Angel|Margaret Laurence|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320409154l/1102322._SY75_.jpg|17969571].
A few last busy weeks ruined this plan, though yesterday, suddenly I saw Leonard Cohen's novel, One of my favorite singers, I had no idea he wrote at least two novels [b:Beautiful Losers|102908|Beautiful Losers|Leonard Cohen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320500003l/102908._SY75_.jpg|919677], [b:The Favorite Game|90591|The Favorite Game|Leonard Cohen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320470013l/90591._SY75_.jpg|875026] (for sure going to read them) and he's Canadian!
IT IS ALL AROUND ME, THE darkness. You are my only shield. Your name is my only light...
No, I have not been living in a cave or under a rock, I think!
MY SON AND I LIVED IN A cave for many years, hiding from the Romans, the Christians, and the apostate Jews. Night and day we studied the letters of one word. When one of us grew tired, the other would urge him on. One morning he said, ‘I’ve had enough...
[b:Book of Mercy|158008|Book of Mercy|Leonard Cohen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320552338l/158008._SY75_.jpg|1948032] is a collection of 50 poems in 2 parts, love, emotion, faith, what can I say?! I just loved it.
My favorite one
NOT KNOWING WHERE TO go, I go to you. Not knowing where to turn, I turn to you. Not knowing how to speak, I speak to you. Not knowing what to hold, I bind myself to you. Having lost my way, I make my way to you. Having soiled my heart, I lift my heart to you. Having wasted my days, I bring the heap to you...
My plan was to read a great Canadian book on the first of July, my dear Canadian friend, Carolyn helped me to choose [b:The Stone Angel|1102322|The Stone Angel|Margaret Laurence|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320409154l/1102322._SY75_.jpg|17969571].
A few last busy weeks ruined this plan, though yesterday, suddenly I saw Leonard Cohen's novel, One of my favorite singers, I had no idea he wrote at least two novels [b:Beautiful Losers|102908|Beautiful Losers|Leonard Cohen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320500003l/102908._SY75_.jpg|919677], [b:The Favorite Game|90591|The Favorite Game|Leonard Cohen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320470013l/90591._SY75_.jpg|875026] (for sure going to read them) and he's Canadian!
IT IS ALL AROUND ME, THE darkness. You are my only shield. Your name is my only light...
No, I have not been living in a cave or under a rock, I think!
MY SON AND I LIVED IN A cave for many years, hiding from the Romans, the Christians, and the apostate Jews. Night and day we studied the letters of one word. When one of us grew tired, the other would urge him on. One morning he said, ‘I’ve had enough...
[b:Book of Mercy|158008|Book of Mercy|Leonard Cohen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320552338l/158008._SY75_.jpg|1948032] is a collection of 50 poems in 2 parts, love, emotion, faith, what can I say?! I just loved it.
My favorite one
NOT KNOWING WHERE TO go, I go to you. Not knowing where to turn, I turn to you. Not knowing how to speak, I speak to you. Not knowing what to hold, I bind myself to you. Having lost my way, I make my way to you. Having soiled my heart, I lift my heart to you. Having wasted my days, I bring the heap to you...
ladythursday's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
3.5
As with any book that is a collection of poems (or stories) I have a hard time reviewing this one. It's because some of the poems were so jaw-droppingly beautiful while some others were just okay.
The book is divided into 2 parts, and I must say that I enjoyed the first part a lot more. But in the end, Leonard Cohen is a master at creating verses that convey such raw and moving feelings in a simple yet stunning way.
The book is divided into 2 parts, and I must say that I enjoyed the first part a lot more. But in the end, Leonard Cohen is a master at creating verses that convey such raw and moving feelings in a simple yet stunning way.