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“ . . . finally, I’d like to thank Leonard Cohen. The book is named after an excerpt from his poem/song — ‘Anthem.’” (Louise Penny, Acknowledgements, How the Light Gets In)
Louise goes on to tell us that she first used the words in her second book.
“Gamache leaned in and put on his reading glasses.
Ring the bells that still can ring,
Forget the perfect offering,
There’s a crack in everything,
That’s how the light gets in.
He read it out loud. Beautiful.” (A Fatal Grace, Page 174)
Cohen, a Canadian and Quebecker like Louise, passed away last November and was hailed by Nick Cave as “the greatest songwriter of them all.” Anthem appeared on his 1992 album, The Future, but the song was a long time coming. It took Cohen 10 years to write and he reflected late in life on how much the song meant to him, “There’s not a line in it that I couldn’t defend.”
How the Light Gets In, the ninth Chief Inspector Gamache novel, is a harrowing tale of deep-seated corruption both political and moral. And, at its heart, the sanctity of Three Pines itself.
On page 117 of the novel, Gamache ponders, “Three Pines, he knew, was not immune to dreadful loss. To sorrow and pain. What Three Pines had wasn’t immunity but a rare ability to heal. And that’s what they offered him.”
That statement, to me, epitomizes Louise’s choice for the title and its connection to Leonard Cohen’s profound words. As Cohen said himself in a rare interview in the early 90’s, “And worse, there is a crack in everything that you can put together: Physical objects, mental objects, constructions of any kind. But that’s where the light gets in, and that’s where the resurrection is and that’s where the return, that’s where the repentance is. It is with the confrontation, with the brokenness of things.”
Three Pines certainly has some cracks but as Gamache points out it also has “a rare ability to heal” the brokenness of things.
When Louise originally reached out to Cohen to obtain the rights — and ask what it would cost — to license the stanza for inclusion in A Fatal Grace, she was astounded by his response:
He would give it to me for free. Free. I’d paid handsomely for other poetry excerpts, and rightly so. I’d expected to pay for this, especially given that at the time, six years ago, Mr. Cohen had just had most of his savings stolen by a trusted member of his team. Instead of asking for thousands — he asked for nothing. I cannot begin to imagine the light that floods into that man.
R.I.P. Leonard Cohen
34 replies on “CULTURAL INSPIRATIONS FROM THREE PINES: HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN”
I am reading my Penney book and will read more. This one, How the Light Get In has a quote from I believe is a poem “Alas”. Anyone know the poet and/or the collection?
[…] can be found in her second book “A Fatal Grace” but also as the title of her tenth book, “How the Light Gets In” , with the theme of the beauty of […]
Wood furnishings has something incredibly
all natural about it. There is this sense of heat,
of attribute and of elegance that could be be discovered in wood furnishings.
Hardwood is actually birthed coming from the planet.
It feeds the fire, breaks down in to ashes and also drafts
away. It is extremely near to the human life
in the world. Might be actually that is why it resonates so much along with our company.
May be actually that is why you still obtain that hot
sensation when you contact a rich mahogany work desk.
Cracks, in the sense of fissures, let lots of things in. Not just light, but also dust, dirt, sand, water, insects, seeds, plant roots, tiny animals… So cracks let in life, for better or worse, even as they weaken the matrix supporting that life. This is a truly spectacular and intricate book, challenging us all to accept that things are as they are, while striving toward healing and wholeness for ourselves and those around us, all the way up the social and political hierarchies of the place(s) where we’ve taken root. A marvellous example of elegant noir fiction for the thoughtful reader. And in the hope that inevitably enters with the light there is healing.
[…] This quote first appeared in A Fatal Grace, then inspired the title of Louise’s ninth book, and clearly guides a recurring theme throughout the Three Pines canon. In examining this week’s international edition, from Slovakia, we were struck by the differences in how we both interpreted this quote. […]
[…] Read more about How the Light Gets In… […]
The morning after the tax bill was passed I read these lines in your book. They have become a mantra for me in what I feel are troubled times. You make me reexamine my own truths and you make me outright laugh. Thank you for both.
This book is certainly one of my favorite in the series. I was unfamiliar with the song Anthem before reading this book, but it has become a favorite of mine since. I thought that the verses quoted in the book as being played at the wedding were perfect – “Ring the bells that still can ring, Forget your perfect offering.” Jean-Guy is cracked, his offering to his bride is not perfect, but the light will get in.
Thank you, Louise Penny, for this wonderful series of books. They are so fulfilling on so many levels. Your understanding of human nature is remarkable. So is this entire world that you have created for us. My first reading of the series was speedy, as I am inclined to do with mysteries. But these books are so much more. Now at night, I always read this series before I go to bed. In the summer, I put on the fan, lower the heat and read about snow in Quebec to stay cool in our heat! I am on my 6th reading and look forward to the next book.
I started with Louise Penny’s first novel by accident. I was hooked! I like others wished we lived in Three Pines what an idyllic place and heart warming friends. Always await her next novel (can’t come soon enough).
I started reading this on the day that Pres. Trump’s health care bill was defeated. I definitely saw the crack and hoped for light.
Do you have another book in tbe books? Addicted to your books!
The verse weaves all of the pain of brokenness and peace of redemption with the need to actively participate – the light will be there but can only be seen and received if we are willing to open our eyes to goodness in the midst of a sorrowful place. The same themes of brokenness and redemption are echoed in Hallelujah. Louise Penny’s ability to capture this complexity over time and differently in each person brings Three Pines and its people to life, and we learn to treasure the complexity and the kindness and the strength of the best of us reflected in Inspector Gamache.
I read the first book and was hooked! And each book after has made Three Pines and the Inspector more and more a part of my life. I find both the place and him a huge comfort when things are difficult. I was always a lover of Leonard Cohen and using that quote was so fitting for the book and also so healing. I look forward to more of Inspector Gamache and as someone else has said- I only wish I could go to Three Pines and say awhile.
Thank you Louise Penny.
About this time 4 years ago “How the Light Gets In” was my introduction to Inspector Gamache & Three Pines. Mesmerized by Louise Penny’s writing, I voraciously read the series backwards reaching “Still Life” a month or so later. Since then each eagerly anticipated addition to the series has been downloaded on Kindle (and bought in hardback to share with others.) While each book touched something deep inside, “How the Light Gets In” remains my favorite (re-read numerous times.) Since most of us are cracked clay pots in different ways, as our cracks get wider there’s more room for light to shine through, especially as we offer up our cracked bits for others. Louise Penny has shared so much light and hope through her cracked characters (especially Ruth & Jean-Guy in this book.) But, I’ll never be able to adequately convey how Louise Penny’s sharing of her journey with her beloved Michael inspired & encouraged & gave hope to this clay pot when my Mama suffered from dementia before she eventually passed. Thank you, Louise Penny, for inspiring & encouraging us to let the light in our cracked lives – and out!
Virginia,
“How the Light Gets In” was my introduction to the series as well. Afterward, I researched then began my reading with “Still Life” and worked my way through, and now, like you, I delightfully anticipate each new book, theme and visit with the characters and place that have become so nurturing to me, intellectually and spiritually. In fact, when I recommend the series to friends, and I do, I suggest that same order of reading. The themes of light and dark and healing in Cohen’s poetry and Penny’s fictional world offer a hope in our current time that is proximate to the hope and healing offered by the writings of JK Rowling in her fictional world of the ordinary, yet extraordinary, Harry Potter. That we each can make a difference in the face of seemingly overwhelming darkness, because of our imperfections rather than in spite of them, is so very hopeful. I am so happy to have discovered her writing.
Yours is the most beautiful of all the comments for How The Light Gets In. Thank you very much. It was not my first Gamache, but I believe it too is my favorite.
I must thank you for the inspiration I glean from your novels for my own artistic expression. The novels seem woven like a fine tapestry where even a minute thread or color still impacts and affects the big picture while seducing us back into that small detail with greater understanding and appreciation of life and art. No speed reading here rather a savoring of the taste and power of each word.
Am on the 5th cd of Where the Light Gets In and enthralled! A librarian friend recommeded these books, so bought the latest this spring and fell in love! Been getting the audios from my library to keep me company in the car. Unfortunately, have not heard them in order, but still am enjoying the tidbits that reveal resolutions from other books before and after the current one. May have to get print for the 1st 2 or 3, but that’s ok also.
Thank you for your books. They (you) have given me comfort, companionship and hope during some difficult times. In each one I find a quote or inspiration that sustains and often intrigues me to find out more about the source. The stanza from Anthem is one I have shared most often with friends.
“How the Light Gets In” was the first of your novels that I read. I got to the end and said, “Who are these people? I have to know more about these people!” All of your books are wonderful, but this will always be my favorite.
It was my first, too, and it’s the one I give as a gift the most often, because I think it’s the best way in! And each time I re-read it (which I do annually, because each time a new book comes out I go back to the beginning and read them all again) I love it more
I love this song. When I’m feeling broken and useless, this song reminds me that my broken places as how the light gets in.