Harry Freedman's book Leonard Cohen: The Mystical Roots of Genius explores the spiritual traditions that underpinned Leonard Cohen's life and lyrics, drawing on Jewish and Christian tradition, the Bible, Talmud, and Kabbalah. Cohen's music is studded with allusions to these traditions, and Freedman explores how he reworked myths and prayers, legends, and allegories to create his inimitable work. The book provides a window into Cohen's soul and a broader insight into the mystical origins of his work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

- The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Among the finest volumes on Cohens life and lyrics ... An exploration which would have intrigued and engaged Leonard himself. - John McKenna,writer and friend of Leonard Cohen Harry Freedman uncovers the spiritual traditions that lie behind Leonard Cohen's profound and unmistakable lyrics. The singer and poet Leonard Cohen was deeply learned in Judaism and Christianity,the spiritual traditions that underpinned his self-identity and the way he made sense of the world. In this book Harry Freedman,a leading author of cultural and religious history,explores the mystical and spiritual sources Cohen drew upon,discusses their original context and the stories and ideas behind them. Cohens music is studded with allusions to Jewish and Christian tradition,to stories and ideas drawn from the Bible,Talmud and Kabbalah. From his 1967 classic 'Suzanne,through masterpieces like 'Hallelujah and 'Who by Fire,to his final challenge to the divinity,'You Want It Darker he drew on spirituality for inspiration and as a tool to create understanding,clarity and beauty. Born into a prominent and scholarly Jewish family in Montreal,Canada,Cohen originally aspired to become a poet,before turning to song writing and eventually recording his own compositions. Later,he became immersed in Zen Buddhism,moving in 1990 to a Zen monastery on Mount Baldy,California where he remained for some years. He died,with immaculate timing,on the day before Donald Trump was elected in 2016,leaving behind him a legacy that will be felt for generations to come.

Leonard Cohen: The Mystical R.

The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

Among the finest volumes on Cohens life and lyrics ... An exploration which would have intrigued and engaged Leonard himself.

John McKenna, writer and friend of Leonard Cohen

Harry Freedman uncovers the spiritual traditions that lie behind Leonard Cohen's profound and unmistakable lyrics.

The singer and poet Leonard Cohen was deeply learned in Judaism and Christianity, the spiritual traditions that underpinned his self-identity and the way he made sense of the world. In this book Harry Freedman, a leading author of cultural and religious history, explores the mystical and spiritual sources Cohen drew upon, discusses their original context and the stories and ideas behind them.

Cohens music is studded with allusions to Jewish and Christian tradition, to stories and ideas drawn from the Bible, Talmud and Kabbalah. From his 1967 classic 'Suzanne, through masterpieces like 'Hallelujah and 'Who by Fire, to his final challenge to the divinity, 'You Want It Darker he drew on spirituality for inspiration and as a tool to create understanding, clarity and beauty.

Born into a prominent and scholarly Jewish family in Montreal, Canada, Cohen originally aspired to become a poet, before turning to song writing and eventually recording his own compositions. Later, he became immersed in Zen Buddhism, moving in 1990 to a Zen monastery on Mount Baldy, California where he remained for some years. He died, with immaculate timing, on the day before Donald Trump was elected in 2016, leaving behind him a legacy that will be felt for generations to come.

Weight: 220g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399416498