Scan barcode
Reviews
A Broken Hallelujah: Rock and Roll, Redemption, and the Life of Leonard Cohen by Liel Leibovitz
ldv's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know much about Cohen, his discography, music history or Judaism, so it is difficult to evaluate this book which analyzes them all in light of each other. Interesting, yes. I should have read the book more slowly, with something like YouTube beside me and taken time to listen to the songs discussed instead of just reading straight through (though sometimes I listened to a song). Did Cohen really live so intensely and in artistic isolation as the story depicts? Was he always a genius or can we say that with the rose-coloured glasses of hindsight? I cannot answer. The book does make me wonder what it would be like to live intensely, creatively, and with such deep spiritual awareness. The author continually compares Cohen to a prophet. If his biography is reasonably accurate, then this does seem to be who Cohen was. And unlike many artists, he had the benefit of living his life long enough to reap the rewards of maturity in his craft.
stevesaroff's review against another edition
5.0
He couldn't sing, and he couldn't write, so he did both perfectly. Cohen lived a life of forever starting over with nothing and turning that nothing into the somethings that are like the pots of gold at the end of the rainbow. This book captures and then gives. A good read about a great person.
bkish's review against another edition
2.0
I was disappointed in this book.
I know that the author intended to write about and show about the life of Leonard Cohen from some perspective. I think it was hanging in mid air cause maybe cause Liel tried too much to stay in the background not expressing himself.
He did and this I appreciate attempt to show Leonard Cohen as a jewish man and how this affected so much of his journey. He just would touch on things that had meaning (the author did) and then move on.
Judy
I know that the author intended to write about and show about the life of Leonard Cohen from some perspective. I think it was hanging in mid air cause maybe cause Liel tried too much to stay in the background not expressing himself.
He did and this I appreciate attempt to show Leonard Cohen as a jewish man and how this affected so much of his journey. He just would touch on things that had meaning (the author did) and then move on.
Judy
ldv's review
3.0
I don't know much about Cohen, his discography, music history or Judaism, so it is difficult to evaluate this book which analyzes them all in light of each other. Interesting, yes. I should have read the book more slowly, with something like YouTube beside me and taken time to listen to the songs discussed instead of just reading straight through (though sometimes I listened to a song). Did Cohen really live so intensely and in artistic isolation as the story depicts? Was he always a genius or can we say that with the rose-coloured glasses of hindsight? I cannot answer. The book does make me wonder what it would be like to live intensely, creatively, and with such deep spiritual awareness. The author continually compares Cohen to a prophet. If his biography is reasonably accurate, then this does seem to be who Cohen was. And unlike many artists, he had the benefit of living his life long enough to reap the rewards of maturity in his craft.
pturnbull's review
4.0
A beautifully written biography of Leonard Cohen that pays particular attention to the influence of Jewish thought on his work. Recommended for anyone who wonders just how his unique and powerful vision of song developed.
lnatal's review
4.0
From BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week:
As Leonard Cohen turns 80, Liel Leibovitz explores his life, work and passion
As Leonard Cohen turns 80, Liel Leibovitz explores his life, work and passion
More...