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A review by alanffm
Let Us Compare Mythologies by Leonard Cohen
4.0
Really good book of poetry full of allusions to Jewish, Christian and Hellenistic history and culture. Cohen wrote this when he was a very young man and unfortunately it kind of shows in his style and content. Regardless, this debut collection of poetry has some real gems and is worth reading.
Second Reading:
I stand with my first review from three years ago, but being a bit wiser and more familiar with Cohen's complete oeuvre, I will say that Let Us Compare Mythologies is a necessary read for anyone attempting to grasp Cohen's early likeness. Something I completely missed in my first reading is Cohen's use and familiarity with the Far-East. Buddhism, the Tantra, and other Far-Eastern ideas and histories would greatly impact an older Cohen's personal and professional life. I strongly believe this early expose of Cohen's mind and interests are very telling and are what inspired the latter Cohen to go down the path of Zen and finally a return to Judaism.
Second Reading:
I stand with my first review from three years ago, but being a bit wiser and more familiar with Cohen's complete oeuvre, I will say that Let Us Compare Mythologies is a necessary read for anyone attempting to grasp Cohen's early likeness. Something I completely missed in my first reading is Cohen's use and familiarity with the Far-East. Buddhism, the Tantra, and other Far-Eastern ideas and histories would greatly impact an older Cohen's personal and professional life. I strongly believe this early expose of Cohen's mind and interests are very telling and are what inspired the latter Cohen to go down the path of Zen and finally a return to Judaism.