The Remarkable Life of Leonard Cohen: new biography (2010)

[AnthonyR]

I guess this'll be my last word on the subject here or I'm in danger of repeating myself. I also have to move on and am already involved in new projects and its draining to give energy and time to old work. And my girlfiend forbids it, but I'm sneaking this in while she's in the bath...

But to address some recurring criticisims -

I wonder how many reading this have very idealistic notions of how and why a book is written. I went into the details of my own experience with this book and writing in particular within the Heck of a Guy interview for those interested.

Time is a huge part of the process. Lack of time. There are strict deadlines a paid author has to stick to or you are in danger of not getting paid or breaking contract. I had just over a year to write about LC's life and I had to take it or leave it. (I originally asked for a minimum of two years. I also said in the HOAG interview that writing about Cohen was like writing about God except that LC isn't dead. It is a VAST life, as wide and deep as its long).

That said, it shouldn't be any concern of the reader as to what the circumstances of writing a book are but these are the facts. Given a choice I would have had as long as I wanted to write a book on the subject. This isn't the reality of the matter. This means I had to focus on a particular strain of Cohen's rich, varied life. My main interest in this case is the records. Cohen's albums. This is what turns me on most about Cohen's work. And in all my biographies, I want to write primarily about the work. I am not interested in the ambiguties of the subject's personal or sex life unless they directly affect and are involved with the work (Drugs and drink are usually staple culprits in thsi regard), in the main. I'm not even overly interested in their childhood curcumstances. ('All that Charles Dickens stuff' to paraphrase Fitzgerald).

What I am interested in his the process and the mechanisims of the music and hows it is made and how its released and how its recieved. I've a lot of experience in this field myself and this gives me a perspective that perhaps other writers don't have. (Nadel's book was a Tower of knowledge but I got the sense that for all of the many strengths in that book the author was not particularly musical). No Cohen book I'd ever read -as a fan -properly addressed his recording career and this is what I set out to do, within of course the greater context of his life. And in this I think I came back with much new and valuable insight and information. For instance, I've never read anywhere else accounts of the making of LC's first album in such detail. The same goes for the Lissauer albums, for the Spector album and in particular (my LC favourite), '10 new songs'. None of the people I interviewed for these albums - the musicians, the producers themselves - including at length Sahron Robinson and Lissauer amongst many others - had ever talked in depth about their experiences of making these records before. At least not publically. And yet anyone reading the negative comments on this board and elsewhwere would not be aware of this. I've noticed that most negative reviews of this book tend to be almost purely negative ; there is little balance given.

I never intended to cover Cohen's literary output so the fact that I didn't is hard for me to take as a criticisim. Nadel's book gives a truly comprehensive and meaningful analysis of this strain of Cohen's work and I think that would be hard to best in a general biography. Add to which, I don't rate Cohen as a novelist while at the same time I find him an unusually powerful and untypical vocalist and songwriter - as a singer and musician he is a fascinating subject to me, as a novelist a curio at best.
Regarding Cohen's early life...it would have been intruiging and exciting to discover at this stage that he had been one of twins ala Elvis or had been born with a tail and spent the first 3 years of his life underwater. But this didn't happen and the facts of his early life are likely to remain the same forevermore.
(I did discover one untapped scource from this period - Lionel Tiger - but had run out of time by then. I hope a future biographer makes use of him).

Proofs- it is not my job to proof my own books. This is my fifth book and the first that has gone out in such an underproofed -let' say- state. The book was edited and then sent to a proffesional proof reader. This is of course the norm for any professional publisher, and Music Sales/Omnibus is more established than many. I then have a day or two to go over it myself before it goes to the printers by which time I was embarking on another project. I trust my editor, publishers and their proof readers and usually this is fine. I have to trust them. And the proof of this is that no such criticisims have met my previous books. In this case something went amiss although I would still argue against the notion that this makes the book unreadable. In fact the UK reviews thus far- on The Sky arts book programme, in Q magazine and the Metro newspaper - all positive- didn't even touch on this. (On completion, originally, I did ask for the book to be sent to previous Omnibus LC author, the mighty Jim Devlin for a check through but was told there was no time). He has since kindly gone through the first edition and his amendments applied to the second HB edition which will be out soon.

Please don't misinterpert this response as bad grace or whining. Ive had experience of all sorts of reviews in the last 15 years and its my opinion that all reviews- good or bad -contain the truth, essentially, Its just they contain the partial truth. And the negative reviews of this book seem to me to be just that, omitting most that's good and worthwhile about it, of which there is plenty. So I believe. But then maybe I would.
Anyhow, I'd hope that not too many will be put off and endevour to find out for themselves.

[Deepinthedesert]

HI Anthony

Thanks for responding on the forum - it's good to be able to hear from the author's mouth.

I agree that the main focus of the book was the music, or rather the making of the music, and that I found new and interesting. I suppose the problem is that the book doesn't do what it says on the cover - titles are important. Instead of 'A remarkable life' why not retitle the next edition 'The musical life of Leonard Cohen'?

Speaking with my academic teacher's hat on, the main criticism I would have of your book is the lack of referencing. I know it's not intended as an academic thesis, but if the text is to help others in their lifelong research project on LC (and there seems to be a lot of them out there!), references would have been a godsend. It would be helpful to know which insights came from your own interviews, and which from other sources, published or unpublished.

All the best with your next book - and make sure you have a penalty built in for every typo that the proof reader misses!

[MaryB]

Anthony,
I appreciate your feedback and your insight that this book was meant to highlight the musical aspects of his career. Based on this fact and that the second edition will be better proofed, I will buy it. It is always good to know more about LC from that angle.

The book was edited and then sent to a proffesional proof reader. This is of course the norm for any professional proof reader.

I loved this bit of levity (bold print is my doing)
Best regards,
Mary

[bridger15]

My review of the book is now on the Files.
Those who wish to read it may do so here: http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/doron2010.pdf
If you have any comments please post them on this thread.
Thanks,
Doron

Thank you, Doron, for your very well written review. By coincidence, I just received a confirmation from Amazon that my copy has been shipped.
My original intent was to take the book to Florida for my holiday beach reading. However, having recently suffered through Footman's mediocre attempt -thankfully only while passing the time at my granddaughter's soccer practices - I have decided to take another book.

Thanks again, Doron. You are a valuable asset of this Forum
---Arlene

[LisaLCFan]

I am going to add a word of support for this book. There are some intriguing new interviews with people who were involved with the making of Leonard Cohen's albums. This provides some interesting new material, even to those of us who have read pretty much everything ever written about Leonard. Obviously, Cohen's musical output is extremely important and of considerable interest to a lot of people, and so for the book to focus on this element of Cohen's career certainly seems reasonable. I really enjoyed reading the interviews and hearing about the processes, people, musicians, etc, that were a part of creating the masterworks that I love so much.

Also, if one can overlook the (sadly, very numerous) typos, Reynold's writing style is very pleasant and readable. He speaks of Leonard Cohen with respect and admiration, and obviously recognizes in Leonard and in Leonard's music what those of us here all know and love.

This is not a perfect book, most of the criticisms mentioned are valid, but neither is it unworthy of our attention. I would recommend this book to fellow Cohen fans and to those curious about his music, for the reasons noted.

Lisa

[musicmania]

This is not a perfect book, most of the criticisms mentioned are valid, but neither is it unworthy of our attention. I would recommend this book to fellow Cohen fans and to those curious about his music, for the reasons noted.
Lisa

I'd agree with that Lisa. Thanks for the response Anthony. Much appreciated and you are correct with what you say about balanced reviews.

Out of curiosity which name is going to be on the second edition? The one on the cover or the spine? I personally agree with Deepinthedesert that maybe a complete change of name wouldn't go a miss. Wish I had waited to buy as I'd like an error free copy.

[Cheshire gal]

Anthony,

I love your book. I was just looking for some information on Leonard and his career and you have supplied that. It is interesting and informative.... what more could anybody want? I thank you for it.


chin up
Cheshire gal

[John Etherington]

musicmania - Rumour has it that the new version will be called "The Smoky Life"!

[DBCohen]

Thanks to all those who read my review and commented here or privately.

Special thanks to Mr. Reynolds for staying on with this discussion. I appreciate your response, but I guess we must agree to disagree on several fundamental issues. You must realize that some of us here have had the experience of writing and publishing books, so we are well aware of all the constraints and difficulties that come with such an endeavor. Still, I’d rather not publish a book than publish a half-baked one; if this is an idealistic view, I’ll stick to my idealism. With greater focus your book could have been a comprehensive handling of LC’s music rather than an unsatisfying biography. In its current shape it is neither fish nor fowl, and I truly regret that, because we could have benefited much more by your musical knowledge and experience.

[TipperaryAnn]

Nadel's book was a Tower of knowledge but I got the sense that for all of the many strengths in that book the author was not particularly musical.

Anthony,
I love the emphasis on the music in your book. In future, if anyone asked me to recommend a book about LC I would suggest two - Nadel's as a general introduction and yours for its coverage of Leonard's recordings. I know I will often go back and read the relevant chapter when I am listening to a particular album, and as a handsome hardcover it will last! Good value, I think.
Thanks for discussing your book here and good luck with your next project.

[dick]

Was able to get Esther Cohen her copy on Friday. On Sunday we chatted and she is very impressed with the cover photo, and commented that she found the book enjoyable reading.

Tina Tyrell, cover photographer, is friend of Lorca Cohen.

I too am still finding the book very readable and enjoying the insights into the production of the records.

Thanks again Anthony for your participation here, and best of success with your next project.

Dick

[bridger15]

My copy arrived today and I had a brief look at several sections. It looks like it will be okay for a relaxing holiday in the sun.

So I put the book into my Florida basket along with my Salty Dog sun cap and I'm all set for an LC beach read.

---Arlene

[mutti]

sounds great Arlene...I think I will do the same...
Leslie

[tomsakic]

The book's price went significantly down now on Amazon UK (12 pounds) and Amazon.com, and I'd say it's average now. So I ordered my copy from US' Amazon finally and can't wait to read it, although estimated delivery is not before Dec 15-20.

[musicmania]

The book's price went significantly down now on Amazon UK (12 pounds) and Amazon.com, and I'd say it's average now. So I ordered my copy from US' Amazon finally and can't wait to read it, although estimated delivery is not before Dec 15-20.

Most of the times I've ordered fromn US Amazon they have delivered early.