Stranger Music

Więcej o książce

The publication of *Stranger Music: Selected Poems & Songs* brought Leonard Cohen's poetry back into prominence, previously overshadowed by his recording career. His poems resonate with fans of his music and novels, showcasing the same cynical romanticism, morbid eroticism, and ironic humor. Many are spare and declamatory, relying on vivid imagery and the speaker's wryness. For instance, the opening lines of "The Drawer's Condition on November 28, 1961" exemplify this style: "Is there anything emptier/ than the drawer where/you used to store your opium?...". Cohen's old-fashioned bardic quality makes it hard to believe he shares a literary landscape with postmodern experimentalism. His richly lyrical poems naturally transitioned into songwriting, though published lyrics often lack the impact of their musical counterparts. Even his best songs, like "Suzanne" and "Anthem," lose intensity on paper. *Stranger Music* encompasses material from nearly all his significant works, including his experimental novel *Beautiful Losers*. Since 1983's *Book of Mercy*, Cohen has published little new material, making *Stranger Music* the definitive collection of his work for the foreseeable future.