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Book of Longing
248 pages
A witty, sensuous, and timeless exploration of language and visual art spanning decades of intimate poetic reflection.
What it feels like
Reading this collection feels like wandering through decades of a poet's deeply personal and creative evolution. The experience is meandering and introspective, inviting the reader to linger over the unexpected ways that clear, passionate language interacts with witty, sensuous illustrations. There is a playful yet profound atmosphere, anchored by numerous self-portraits that add a layer of intimate self-reflection to the timeless verses. It is a deeply artistic journey that balances lighthearted wit with profound emotional depth, capturing the essence of longing across twenty years of work. This book will delight readers who savor the fascinating intersection of visual art and poetry, offering a rare and deeply personal glimpse into a masterful creator's mind.
- Mood
- introspective
- timeless
- intimate
- contemplative
- Tone
- witty
- sensuous
- playful
- passionate
- clear
- Pace
- meandering
- Themes
- self-reflection · the passage of time · artistic expression · passion and longing
- The writing
- Clear, passionate poetic verse that interacts in unexpected and fascinating ways with visual art.
- The arc
- A deeply personal journey that shifts between playful self-observation and profound, timeless passion over the course of decades.
- Who it's for
- Readers who savor the intimate intersection of poetry and visual art, and those drawn to witty, sensuous self-reflection.
About the book
Book of Longing is Leonard Cohen's first book of new poetry since Book of Mercy was published two decades ago. It collects Cohen's poetry written between the 1980s and the present, and also includes his wonderfully witty and sensuous illustrations, including numerous playful self-portraits. The illustrations interact with, and complement, the poetry in unexpected and fascinating ways. Book of Longing demonstrates the range and depth of Cohen's work, revealing an extraordinary gift of language and visual art that speak with rare clarity, passion and timelessness.
Description from Open Library.
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