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chloelundrigan's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
alanffm's review against another edition
5.0
Flowers for Hitler is one of Cohen's darkest books, only seconded to Death of a Ladies Man. It is interesting to see a younger Cohen's mind at work and more specifically to see such consistency in theme running from the beginning of his career to its end. Cohen's earlier works focus on undermining the upper-class lifestyle of Westmount but also on experimentation with new-age religious ideals and the Far East. Cohen's darker side, his urge to commit suicide, his inability to stay satisfied with the same type of women, and his mood swings, all make appearances in this collection of poems - although they do not bear the same kind of weight as his later poems do. Flowers for Hitler stands out for exposing a darker side of Cohen, but it also stands out as a work of art in revolt: in revolt of the hypocrisy of the ruling classes; in revolt of the mundane, and in revolt to the massacres of Nazi Germany and near destruction of Jewish history and culture.
There are many exceptional poems in this collection, such as "For E.J. Pratt" and "Disguises", but the collection is not perfect. That being said, I find it hard to give this book four stars as it - regardless of its flaws - stands out as exceptional.
There are many exceptional poems in this collection, such as "For E.J. Pratt" and "Disguises", but the collection is not perfect. That being said, I find it hard to give this book four stars as it - regardless of its flaws - stands out as exceptional.
thepentheimk's review against another edition
4.0
Leonard Cohen is one of my personal heroes, and while the quality of both his music and his poetry has declined significantly in the past twenty-five years, Flowers for Hitler reminds me why he has such a place in my heart. This is not a smooth read by any means; there are certainly a fair number of duds. However, the pearls, of which there are many, are luminescent, and that is why I’ve still never quite given up hope that Cohen will return to form.
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