The Beautiful Loosers

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 3:40 am

It is indeed a 'chilling' yet compelling read. It's been so long since I read this book, that I can't speak to the details as well as I would like to. One of these days, I'll read it again. Tchoco, is very good on this topic.

As a 'casual' reader of this book, meaning, I wasn't trying to 'learn' from it, I just went with the emotion. It's difficult to explain, but I feel I did learn something about Leonard. Funny thing though, he now separates himself, in a way, from this book.

I think some of his songs are of this books' feel and character, but I think most are not. This book was written (I believe) in 1964. That shook some shoes!! I think what we see now, in LCs music, is more of a 'mellowed' version, or a 'wiser' version of the writer of BL, and also, of FG. He evolves. But there is a core, that he'll not lose.

Linda.

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 1:25 pm

Yes. I, too, was not reading to 'learn'. But - on a very shallow level, I'm sure - I kept being reminded of some of the songs - some of the things he's said/done in interview, etc.

Right at the end (since it's fresh in my mind

) there is a paragraph where he writes in French and then translates, phrase by phrase. He does exactly the same thing in Song of Leonard Cohen, where he is translating the words of a French song, phrase by phrase.

And having 'seen' Catherine Tekakwitha tightly wrapped in her blanket of thorns, I will never hear, in quite the same way, the words:

Why do you stand by the window, abandoned to beauty and pride?
The thorn of the night in your bosom, the spear of the age in your side;
lost in the rages of fragrance,
lost in the rags of remorse,
lost in the waves of a sickness that loosens the high silver nerves.
O chosen love, O frozen love, O tangle of matter and ghost,
O darling of angels, demons and saints, and the whole brokenhearted host - Gentle this soul.

But, yes - Cohen is not the man he was then - none of us are! - but who he was then is still a part of who he is now - as is true of all our past selves in relation to who we are today.

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:14 pm

Funny that you should mention The Window, it's one of my current favourites. Putting it in the context of the book, gives it a very different spin, doesn't it?

Linda.

Tchocolatl · Post by **Tchocolatl** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:41 pm

But, yes - Cohen is not the man he was then

Indeed. Looking at the pictures of the "Radio documentary next Saturday" link, that gives some nice insights of the man he was then.

I copy :

And also : beware, man at work :

As for my "high lights" on the books, I'm sorry to say that you will have a rest in this regard, and of all my posts as well by the way, as I will have such few time left in a very near future to come here. So long dear fellow forumers this is a total eclipse of Tchocolatl.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:51 pm

That's not good news, Tchoc ~ your impending absence. I'll miss you. I hope you'll be able to return soon, or at least fairly soon.

This is worth the edited line. I returned to say that I hope everything is okay with you and your family, and that your [hopefully temporary] total eclipse is for good reasons.

Love,
Lizzy

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:54 pm

What??? Tchoco, did you say total eclipse of Tchocolatl??? Can't be!!! Damn, I have to get ready to go. Great photos, Tchoc. If you're going somewhere for some length of time, well, I wish you well, and look forward to seeing you back here soon! Right?! Soon, I said. Right??

Linda.

With many fond Tchoco memories.

*** I return also (hopefully with no edit line, though) to say that yes, we had many misunderstandings based on a number of things. I'm happy to say that we got over it. I'll always smile when I think of you. Take good care, and I hope to see you again, soon.

I too, hope that it is something good that takes you away, just now. Please return. Linda.

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 12:59 am

Tchocolatl wrote:As for my "high lights" on the books, I'm sorry to say that you will have a rest in this regard, and of all my posts as well by the way, as I will have such few time left in a very near future to come here. So long dear fellow forumers this is a total eclipse of Tchocolatl.

Why? Where are you going? I hope it's on holiday, and not something unpleasant?

We can't have an eclipsed Tchocolatl!

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 1:01 am

linda_lakeside wrote:Funny that you should mention The Window, it's one of my current favourites. Putting it in the context of the book, gives it a very different spin, doesn't it?

Linda.

Yes.

And The Window plays in my head all the time...

Tchocolatl · Post by **Tchocolatl** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 3:15 am

A "last" one (an eclipse, even total, is never for ever, are we agreeing on this?) just to say that everything is OK with me, friends and family. Thanks to care. It is just an increasing of my activities. If I am sorry, it is only for not being able to, let say, half-flood anymore

Take care all of you!

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 3:56 am

Oh, good. That's a relief. Thanks for coming back to clarify, Tchoc.
Farewell for now. Be well.

~ Lizzy

tomsakic · Post by **tomsakic** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 10:56 am

Oh my, I open this to see what's going on with BL and I found out that Tchoco is leaving. Where are you going? I hope we'll see you here soon again. You're one of highlights on this place for me

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 11:28 am

Don't go far, and don't stay away too long, Tchoco.

Tchocolatl · Post by **Tchocolatl** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:43 am

Thanks Tom, thanks again Lz and Flsjt, I'm touched.

Ah! This is the last one for now, now. Have fun!

Tchocolatl · Post by **Tchocolatl** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 6:48 pm

Well.

I was not exactly saying I was going for good and totally, just maybe "please excuse me if I can not keep track of every thread and don't reply to everything also, as I was ".

Regarding TBL, I wish I could read an analysis (well, I wish I could do it, but I doubt I will do it, perharps in many maaaaaaaany years, now - if I am still alive at 75, let say) so I wish somedody else could do an analysis of this novel through the lense of the Trickster.

Here is an example of such a work :

http://www.csulb.edu/~csnider/edward.lear.html