''Book of Longing'' is Leonard Cohen's astonishing new collection of poems, the first since ''Book of Mercy'' was published nearly three decades ago. Leonard Cohen made his name as a poet before he came to worldwide attention as a singer and songwriter. ''Book of Longing'', his new collection of poetry, was twenty years in the making and written in Montreal, Mumbai and during his retirement in Mt Baldy. Enhanced by Cohen's own playful and provocative illustrations, these poems show the full range of one of the most influential and enigmatic writers of his generation. ''Awe-inspiring...Cohen emerges as the wry, sensual mystic his champions have always known he was''. (''Sunday Telegraph''). ''Exceptional. Clear yet steamy, cosmic yet private, both playful and profound...as soulful a credo as he has ever put on paper''. (''New York Times''). ''Playful, colourful, erotic...brilliant and sharp as flint''. (''Big Issue''). ''Dazzling''. (''Sunday Herald''). ''The best bring an ironic, world-weary sensibility to bear on themes of ageing, sex, sensuality and spirituality''. (''Financial Times''). ''A fine book of poems''. (''Time Out''). ''Cohen maps this wasteland of the heart with humour, and sometimes anger''.(''Independent''). Cohen's career began in 1956 with the publication of ''Let Us Compare Mythologies'', and he has since published nine books of poems, and has made numerous internationally successful recordings. In a career spanning fifty years, Leonard Cohen has become one of the western world's most popular and innovative creative artists.