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I acquired this book at the convention and it is my favorite piece of Cohen's writing I have read thus far. This book has the humor of the beatnik poets and the spiritual/sexual reflections Cohen is known for. I especially like the poem about Norman Mailer. Also, I noticed the Sincerely, L. Cohen play used many of the poems from The Energy of Slaves.
On a sidenote, Henning Franz's, Songs From "Energy of Slaves" is beautiful. The musical arrangements make the words come to life. I was truly lucky to acquire a copy of his CD, I believe, and also to get The Energy of Slaves book.

-Sean

I love this book as well. Most people praise his early work, but i like The Energy of Slaves, Death of a Lady's Man and Book of Mercy just as much, if not more.

username,

Thanks for comments... I really enjoy all of Cohen's writing that I have read and heard. There is something about The Energy of Slaves and its brutal honesty that gets me. I really enjoy the poem about Norman Mailer. I was in shock when I first read it because of how violent Cohen seemed. I started to laugh after reading it because I have heard similar stories about how Mailer punched people in the stomach upon greeting them.
I think that being in New York City does something to an artist and it did have a tremendous impact on Cohen in this book. This impact was very positive to his work.

-Sean
http://www.livejournal.com/users/passthrufire

My favorite book of LC poetry. It's naked and it's bitter. There IS some throwaway stuff too but mostly the poems burn..
(like this)

Love is a fire
It burns everyone
It disfigures everyone
It is the world's excuse
for being ugly