Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
 A Modern Day Tehillim, From a Very Old and Beautiful Neshama May 3, 2009
Sara (New York)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As I read these petitions to G-d I was transcended into the mind and soul of a very, very beautiful, gifted and learned Jewish man. I feel like I'm in a long past century while reading these psalms. When I think of Leonard Cohen, I ask myself how I can be so taken by a man 74 years old in age? The answer is quite simple. A man who has a love and awe of G-d will never grow old in my eyes. We are very fortunate that he has exposed his yearnings to us.
Dare I use his prayers as I beseech my Maker? I'd love to see this book translated into Hebrew.
Language and thought out of the ordinary September 29, 2007
Rainer Neumann (San Francisco)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Because I had bought and read his latest book I decided to buy an old one. Since his songs are poems set to music this book is prose brought to the level of poetry. Short thoughts on his relationship to a higher being or muse or idea. Thought provoking. A pleasure just to read. The man has spent his life finding the right words and metaphoric language for his deep thoughts on love and meaning and life. Thank you, Leonard
Poet of Pain January 29, 2007
Constance Walsh
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Although Book of Mercy is written in prose, its soul is poetic.
To try to describe it I must point at the Moon -- there are no words
in me, experience it for yourself. My best friend's roots are Jewish,
mine are Catholic, we have evolved into an inclusive state of being,
yet Book of Mercy shows us the origins of our religions respectively --
althouth it is beyond either.
Here are some publisher's quotes: "An eloquent victory of the human spirit in combat with itself." (Globe and Mail)
"One of the most honest and courageous attempts in Canadianwriting to grapple with ultimate truth." (Books in Canada)
"Resplendent evidence of an arduous spiritual journey." (Maclean's)
Nobody else in our times reaches the tundra of the soul's journey as does Cohen. A wonderful love-version of the Star of David graces the cover.
The Psalms, Updated May 27, 2002
Daniel R. Duncan (San Francisco, CA USA)
28 out of 31 found this review helpful
Perhaps Leonard Cohen has never been a King, as was David, but the passion of his reflections truly invites comparison.Cohen struggles with G-d, in the finest tradition of Judaism-- indeed, of all spiritual combat. So he both speaks to G-d, and he listens. His listening compels me to listen with my own feeble ears. This is a book for all spiritual combatants, whether Jewish, Christian, or Muslim. Or any faith that is "of the book."
 Cohen Connects With His Spiritual Heritage August 24, 1999
Mark Sisson (Columbus, OH USA)
36 out of 39 found this review helpful
Leonard Cohen, always the great poet, has done a masterful job of expressing the spirit of the Psalms in modern prosaic, poetic form. And like the son of the chief psalmist, Cohen has traveled a road that has taken him through many life experiences, only to come through them to arrive at the knowledge of that which truly matters. Book of Mercy is not only a literary gem, but a book of enlightening and thought provoking inspiration for Jew and Christian alike, not to mention that person we often refer to as a seeker.
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