Reviews

I don't know quite how to talk about this one because I did not have any idea of what it would be going in. I saw it on the bookshelf shortly after reading [b:Just Kids|341879|Just Kids|Patti Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1259762407s/341879.jpg|332242] and had this notion that it would be some kind of music-scene 60s piece with Cohen's exceptional lyricism making it rich to read. And it really wasn't. I suppose people might call it an erotic novel, though for me eroticism means something more subtle, as if you were viewing the act through a half-transparent shade, catching the gist but shy of getting enough. It leaves room for desire. Instead, this is pretty explicit. No mysteries, no fantasy. It's supposed to be that way, it's suppose to flout the sexual norms of its time, it's supposed to be vulgar and a little shocking. And the title tells you it's about the losers, that even if they find something between each other that becomes like beauty for them it's about people who are a little pathetic, a little lonely, misunderstood perhaps, under-qualified for mainstream living.

I love in Cohen's songs/poetry when he doesn't shy from the so-called unclean and the very-much self-deprecating, but seeing that sustained for 250 pages did not interest me much.

frankiecully's review against another edition

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1.0

Did not enjoy this book at all. Finished it however I had to drag myself back to it to keep going.

lara9's review against another edition

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3.0

Way over my head.

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