I have written three attempts to recommend this book and each has disappeared!
Read it!
Copy of my Amazon review:
This is the story of the two dear friends on their journey through 40 years of life. It reveals the "other" Leonard Cohen without being intrusive, i.e. the man rather than the artist. Relevant but minimal comment is made on his professional career, his legal problems and his women. The main emphasis is just two regular guys who happen to be known to the world. Although the end was known before I read this book, I found the writing style captivating and I read the last quarter at one sitting.
This book should interest readers who are not very familiar with Leonard Cohen, as well as his many fans.
Matters of Vital Interest: A Forty-Year Friendship with Leonard Cohen
Re: Matters of Vital Interest: A Forty-Year Friendship with Leonard Cohen
Last edited by AlanM on Sun Feb 10, 2019 12:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
Too much Leonard Cohen is never enough.
London 1972, Adelaide 1980, 1985, 2009
Sydney 2010; Adelaide 2010
Sydney 2013 X2; Melbourne 2013; Adelaide 2013
London 1972, Adelaide 1980, 1985, 2009
Sydney 2010; Adelaide 2010
Sydney 2013 X2; Melbourne 2013; Adelaide 2013
Re: Matters of Vital Interest: A Forty-Year Friendship with Leonard Cohen
it's on my list thks for reminding
Re: Matters of Vital Interest: A Forty-Year Friendship with Leonard Cohen
Got my copy in the mail yesterday. Looking forward reading it 

Lille 2010, Dublin 2012, Mannheim 2013, Rotterdam 2013, Montréal 2017
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Re: Matters of Vital Interest: A Forty-Year Friendship with Leonard Cohen
Already on second read, this book is wonderful. Buddhism, red wine, snacks, ice lollies and a deep and lasting friendship, perfect.
My only wish is that I was sat at that table in Tremaine too.
Read it.
Heather
My only wish is that I was sat at that table in Tremaine too.
Read it.
Heather
Re: Matters of Vital Interest: A Forty-Year Friendship with Leonard Cohen
I need to order it.
And what a beautiful review of it that Marie posted. Don't know who wrote it. My phone won't cooperate in following the link.
And what a beautiful review of it that Marie posted. Don't know who wrote it. My phone won't cooperate in following the link.
"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken."
~ Oscar Wilde
~ Oscar Wilde
Re: Matters of Vital Interest: A Forty-Year Friendship with Leonard Cohen
I was given this book for Christmas and just finished reading it a week or so ago. I was completely overwhelmed by the intimacy of the book. It was fascinating and moving to get a glimpse of the man behind The Man. At times I felt like I was sitting at that kitchen table with the two of them. It was funny in places - laugh out loud. And also, as astranger points out, intense at the end, even somewhat painful to read. So, a book that made me laugh and cry...I cried so much at the end. And I too, Heather, wish that I could have been at that table in Tremaine...
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Re: Matters of Vital Interest: A Forty-Year Friendship with Leonard Cohen
I’m not sure if this has been posted before. A nice little piece anyway.
http://www.oldiesmusicblog.com/an-inter ... biography/
Heather
http://www.oldiesmusicblog.com/an-inter ... biography/
Heather
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- Posts: 14
- Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2019 5:24 am
- Location: Montreal : the land of LC
Re: Matters of Vital Interest: A Forty-Year Friendship with Leonard Cohen
Dear Heather....
Thank you so much for sharing.
Terrific post !!!
- Brucester (Montreal, QC, Canada)
Thank you so much for sharing.
Terrific post !!!

- Brucester (Montreal, QC, Canada)
Re: Matters of Vital Interest: A Forty-Year Friendship with Leonard Cohen
Heather1969 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 10, 2019 12:30 pmI’m not sure if this has been posted before. A nice little piece anyway.
http://www.oldiesmusicblog.com/an-inter ... biography/
Heather
Thanks, I enjoyed that. I particularly liked this bit:
There’s nothing to disagree with or dispute in the book.
You can open it and enter the room and join us.
Or you can close the book and leave.
Perfect attitude towards pretty much everything!
Re: Matters of Vital Interest: A Forty-Year Friendship with Leonard Cohen
Now you got me interested... I wasn’t going to order it for fear it was just another production from someone trying to capitalize on LC’s passing. Your recommendations convinced me, so I will buy it.
Cheers,
Marg
Cheers,
Marg
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