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quawbix's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
photodude's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
a_r_e_l_i_c's review against another edition
4.0
14 pansies
17 stinking garbage heaps
18 oil & last year’s leaves
22 Vitalis
34 Javel water
47 wax-smelling musty shrines
69 hockey equipment & underwear
71 shaving lotion & lilac-laden air
73 new spring paint & fresh nails
89 smell of her flesh
91 cigar boxes
105 slaughterhouse
119 clean Laurentian fragrance
140 alcohol
149 lemon soap
151 clean brown-wrapped clothes
178 beeswax
211 pine & mist
225 religious stink
17 stinking garbage heaps
18 oil & last year’s leaves
22 Vitalis
34 Javel water
47 wax-smelling musty shrines
69 hockey equipment & underwear
71 shaving lotion & lilac-laden air
73 new spring paint & fresh nails
89 smell of her flesh
91 cigar boxes
105 slaughterhouse
119 clean Laurentian fragrance
140 alcohol
149 lemon soap
151 clean brown-wrapped clothes
178 beeswax
211 pine & mist
225 religious stink
beccarettenberger's review against another edition
5.0
First time reading Leonard Cohen. Didn't hate it.
emmacdaye's review against another edition
2.0
Welp! I genuinely could not finish this book. I tried hard to enjoy it and maybe I will circle back around to it but…I have a lot of thoughts. I will start with that Cohen is clearly a beautifully impressive writer and this book is definitely that! Beautifully written. I guess the subject matter was just a bit…eerie? Truly getting into a man-no a boys- brain was kinda startling. I wouldn’t recommend.
aria_izikdzurko's review against another edition
4.0
Cohen is a master at capturing the fine balance between the sexual and the sensual, the lascivious and the loving. This book follows Breavman, tracing his life from childhood through to adult years in Montreal. Mainly, it outlines the web of relationships that he relentlessly pursued, the shameless lust of a romantic poet. There is very little real love portrayed in this fascinating narrative of an emotionally messed up character.
This short novel shows how life is made up of the people we know. More than a city, more than any place, people create a home and memories, they help one to define oneself and to form a self image. Breavman sees himself as a sinner (there is the story in the opening chapters where a young Breavman shouts “fuck God” and Lisa falls from a tree- perhaps a little nod to Adam and Eve’s fall from Grace), and while egotistical and self-obsessed, it doesn’t seem like Breavman actually likes himself much. The bizarre way in which he views women - as infinitely desirable objects to be used- has sparked a lot of dislike of the book, but it is clear that Cohen isn’t trying to praise this way of thinking. There is also a notable lack of male characters in the book; perhaps this shows that women had much more of an impact on Breavman than he would admit.
This is a book in which the protagonist is equally an antagonist. Nonetheless, Cohen’s brilliant storytelling makes it impossible not to feel empathy for Breavman’s lonely form of hedonistic angst, despite his arrogance and seeming chauvinism.
This was unsettling and, as always with Cohen, achingly poetic.
This short novel shows how life is made up of the people we know. More than a city, more than any place, people create a home and memories, they help one to define oneself and to form a self image. Breavman sees himself as a sinner (there is the story in the opening chapters where a young Breavman shouts “fuck God” and Lisa falls from a tree- perhaps a little nod to Adam and Eve’s fall from Grace), and while egotistical and self-obsessed, it doesn’t seem like Breavman actually likes himself much. The bizarre way in which he views women - as infinitely desirable objects to be used- has sparked a lot of dislike of the book, but it is clear that Cohen isn’t trying to praise this way of thinking. There is also a notable lack of male characters in the book; perhaps this shows that women had much more of an impact on Breavman than he would admit.
This is a book in which the protagonist is equally an antagonist. Nonetheless, Cohen’s brilliant storytelling makes it impossible not to feel empathy for Breavman’s lonely form of hedonistic angst, despite his arrogance and seeming chauvinism.
This was unsettling and, as always with Cohen, achingly poetic.
jayden_mccomiskie's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so beautifully written. Classic Cohen. There isn't much story but there are so many amazing paragraphs in this novel that it doesn't matter.
hearthwindsing's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25