On Leonard Cohen’s “Beautiful Losers”
Posted by David Duhr in 
Reminder: Our discussion of Jazz kicks off a week from today–remember to read (unmarked) Chapters 1-3. Refresh yourself on the schedule here. And join in! This online book club is open to anyone who wants to participate. Sounds like we’ve got a good group lined up for Morrison.
Before Saturday’s blog disaster (blisaster) wiped most of last week’s posts off the map, we discussed the opening lines to Richard Ford’s Canada, and I took nominations for this week’s opening lines discussion. Laura Roberts offered the first few lines from one of her favorites, Leonard Cohen’s Beautiful Losers. And here they are:
“Catherine Tekakawitha, who are you? Are you (1656-1680)? Is that enough? Are you the Iroquois Virgin? Are you the Lily of the Shores of the Mohawk River? Can I love you in my own way? I am an old scholar, better-looking now than when I was young. That’s what sitting on your ass does to your face.”
Discussion questions: Does this opening make you want to continue reading? Why? How do you picture this scene?
Thanks for playing, guys. And we’ll see you next week for some good old-fashioned ToMo.