New Cohen Book? (February 2008)

[malcolmp]

Does any know about the Cohen book - Yesterday's Tomorrow: Leonard Cohen by Marc Hendrickx that is listed on Amazon as being new?

Thanks.

Malcolm

[jarkko]

It's the English edition of Marc's book, originally published in Dutch.
http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/mh-book.html
The book is not a biography but more or less Marc's own personal view.
Maybe our Ducth members could describe the contents better than I?

[Anne]

The description of the book on Amazon.ca is very different from what you describe, Jarkko.

This is what they say for the book description

Focusing on a man who succeeded unlike any other in reconciling literature and poetry with pop music, this analysis digs deep into the work of Leonard Cohen and finds original views on humanity, happiness, consciousness, love, old age, and death. Offering a new perspective, the book gives a lively insight on Cohen's work and shows its depth and relevance for a new generation.

As I highly doubt that it has been changed in any way, I will stick to your description.

[jarkko]

This is how Marc described the book himself (the Dutch version):

"This is no milestone, no turning point, no 'definite biography'. Here you will not find an artist's life, put into words, but a confrontation. Notions. Variations on a successful, convincing bring into equilibrium of humor and tragedy, of ambitious dreams and pathetic failures. These covers hold no pretentious literature at all - it is humble. Literature, pure and simple. Direct answers are not to be found. More often than not, those are the wrong answers anyway. A 'sentimental journey'? Maybe, if you succeed in mentally erasing the negative connotation sentimentality evokes. In one way or another, the label does fit this little story. After all, it does deal with the literal and philosophical experiences of wandering livesand the gnawing feeling that the part of those lives cast in shadow outlines their pattern far sharper than their light side. Carefully it registers the result of little inwardly and external explosions, offering details a welcome enlargement while seemingly suggesting an existence with more human kindness, bereft of idle romanticism. Throughout the years, Leonard Cohen often times stated to consider writing to be a choice of life. Here, on this page, I openly profess the same conviction." - Marc Hendrickx

With my VERY limited knowledge of the Dutch language I can't have my personal view, so let's ask Wijbe who has read the book!

[lizzytysh]

I'll be interested to hear Wijbe's take on it. Either description makes it sound interesting.


~ Lizzy

[Wybe]

Yes, I have the first edition of the book, and I read the book in 2004. In the book Marc compares parts of Leonard’s life and work with his own life as an author. He is using fragments from LC songs and a lot of pieces from interviews others made with Leonard. So for me there was not a lot of new information in the book. I liked the included CD from Yasmine with LC covers, though.

Wijbe

[Antoine]

Can only confirm Wybe's information. Only the CD from Yasmine, if you like covers, is in my opinion, worth the price.

Antoine

[Anne]

The one being sold at amazon.ca doesn't appear to come with any cd at all. So, I don't think I will be rushing to make a purchase.

[tomsakic]

I have it on pre-order for six months now, and the date is finally close, so as soon it arrives, I'll read it. Sounds interrsting from description, I am always more interested in interpretation than in biography (well, after we got Nadel's).

I read that Judith Fitzgerald's book is still coming, so she didn't abandon it.

[lizzytysh]

I read that Judith Fitzgerald's book is still coming, so she didn't abandon it.

Yes. I read that, too. VERY good news! Keep on truckin', Judith...


~ Lizzy

[kokenpere]

Has anyone heard from Judith??????????? Outside of postings on her website?

I would still look forward to anything she would publish regarding Leonard,

Michael

PS A recent check of her website states that a new book will be published/released this year.

Jarkko- If you have any information, please share. Many thanks. M.

[tomsakic]

Amazon.co.uk just informed me that Hendrickx's book is UNAVAILABLE although it has been just published (and there's small chance they will ever get it, it seems). Also, AbeBooks doesn't have it at all. The publisher (Brandl & Schlesinger Book Publishers) seems to be small press company from Australia (that's at least what I googled - http://www.brandl.com.au/index.html - no Cohen on the list.). Blackwell.co.uk also has listed the book as unavailable.