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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
als_adventures's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Apparently Leonard Cohen’s original manuscript was much longer and he had to cut a good deal of it. I think that does come across. A series of sketches and moments in a young man’a life. There is an absence of coherence and trajectory, purposely so. Some really beautiful lines in this book - as you would expect from Leonard Cohen.
teat's review against another edition
Characters are shallow and nothing made me want to keep going and find out what happens
brianthehuman's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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
2.0
ericarf's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book because I'm a Leonard Cohen fan. This book was engagingly written, and unlike other novels since it reads more like poetry. It was also fun to read a book set in my hometown of Montreal!
I read this book as part of Book Riot's 2017 Read Harder Challenge for the category of "read a book set within 100 miles of your location."
I read this book as part of Book Riot's 2017 Read Harder Challenge for the category of "read a book set within 100 miles of your location."
saragrayyy's review against another edition
funny
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0