Tag: Book of Longing

Leonard Cohen – Death of a Lady’s Man | Review

Title: Death of a Lady’s Man

Author: Leonard Cohen

Type: Fiction/Poetry

Page Count/Review Word Count: 216

Rating: 7/10

 

Leonard Cohen - Death of a Lady's Man

Leonard Cohen – Death of a Lady’s Man

 

Death of a Lady’s Man, which shouldn’t be confused with Cohen’s similarly-titled albumDeath of a Ladies Man‘, is an intriguing collection of the poet and musician’s poetry and prose. But first, let’s look at the naming – I was always wanted to read the book because I liked the album, even though I know that the two don’t necessarily correlate. I find it interesting how the two phrases have such different meanings, but then I am a language geek. Make of it what you will.

Cohen’s wit is as clear cut as ever, but the collection somehow seems to lack the finesse of some of his later work – perhaps that’s because of my own high expectations, but I found it to be put-downable, at least occasionally. Still, any work from Cohen is a good thing, and I’d be all for reading it again, if I ever read my books again.

If you’re a newcomer to the work of Leonard Cohen, then try Book of Longing instead – otherwise, proceed and enjoy, and get reacquainted with the legendary Leonard Cohen that we all know and love so well. Just try and enjoy yourself.

 

Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen

 

Click here to buy Death of a Lady’s Man.


Leonard Cohen – Book of Longing | Review

Title: Book of Longing

Author: Leonard Cohen

Type: Poetry

Page Count/Review Word Count: 231

Rating: 9/10

 

Leonard Cohen - Book of Longing

Leonard Cohen – Book of Longing

 

Book of Longing is one of Cohen’s more recent releases, a collection of poetry and sketches that he made during his later years. It also contains one of my favourite Cohen creations – ‘My Guitar‘. It’s quite simple, really – a sketch of the poet’s guitar, accompanied by: ‘My guitar is so beautiful, sometimes I wish I could play it.’

It’s a great place to start if you’re new to Cohen’s work, and even veteran readers of his incomparable poetry will still find some hidden gems to add to their collection. In fact, it’s probably the best Leonard Cohen book that I’ve ever read, and while I haven’t read all of his work, I’ve collected a sizable amount.

Much of the book was written at a Zen Monastery on Mt. Baldy, where Cohen was living at the time, and it’s this weird mystic shit that writers do that I love – that’s why I’m such a fan of people like Charles Bukowski, William Burroughs and Jack Kerouac. Even Graham Greene, one of my favourite authors of all-time, was a bit mental – he played Russian Roulette against himself and won.

Do yourself a favour and buy a copy of this book – I promise you won’t regret it. Leonard Cohen isn’t going to disappoint you.

 

Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen

 

Click here to buy Book of Longing.