Poet and troubadour Leonard Cohen's first book in 22 years has become one of the top-selling books in Canada.
Indigo president Heather Reisman said it was the first time that a book of poetry has become a bestseller in the country.
Book of Longing had the second spot on Indigo's Canadian bestsellers' list this week, behind the Canada Reads choice, A Complicated Kindness, and is headed for the No. 1 spot, Reisman said.
Leonard Cohen made a public appearance in Toronto and may be planning a tour.
(CP file photo)
The normally reclusive Cohen, 71, made an appearance in Toronto on Saturday to promote the book and his new CD project with romantic partner Anjani Thomas.
Cohen was greeted by a throng of fans that shut down a street in the busy Yorkville neighbourhood for a free outdoor concert, billed as a tribute to the Montreal-born musician and writer.
Cheers and applause greeted him as he took the stage, then recited a poem from Book of Longing. He also performed two of his most famous songs, So Long, Marianne and Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye, with Canadian musicians Barenaked Ladies and Ron Sexsmith.
Thomas took to the stage for her first live performance of songs they had written together. The dark-haired Thomas sang a short set while Cohen watched silently, mouthing the words.
The eagerly received performance came as Cohen emerges from near-financial collapse after millions were bilked from his retirement savings.
Cohen recently won a $9.5-million lawsuit against Kelley Lynch, his one-time lover and manager of nearly 17 years, who Cohen says skimmed more than $5 million of his savings over eight years, leaving him about $150,000 to retire on.
Book of Longing includes sketches and poems written during Cohen's stay at the Mount Baldy Zen Center near Los Angeles, where he was ordained as a monk under the name Jikan.Â
Aside from the book, Cohen is helping to promote Thomas's debut jazz CD, Blue Alert, which he co-wrote and produced.
Cohen is rumoured to be planning a fall tour and is working on a CD, a follow-up to 2004's Dear Heather.
He made another public appearance earlier this year when he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Related
More Arts Headlines »
- Letterman, Ferguson talk shows back on air Wednesday
- Television viewers eager for fresh material can soon tune in to the Late Show with David Letterman and the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, as the programs' production company reached a special agreement with the Writers Guild of America.
- Writer Richard Wright, musician Paul Shaffer earn honours
- Novelist Richard Wright, author of Clara Callan, and Paul Shaffer, music director for David Letterman's late night talk show, are to be awarded the Order of Canada.
- U.S. judge rules Nazi-looted painting belongs to Max Stern estate
- A U.S. federal judge has ruled against a German baroness who spirited a painting out of the U.S. to prevent it from being claimed by the estate of Montreal art dealer Max Stern.
- Jolie tops list of celebrity humanitarians
- Most people see Angelina Jolie as the genuine article when it comes to celebrity humanitarians, according to a Reuters AlertNet poll.
- Egypt ponders bill to copyright the pyramids
- Egypt might seek out copyright on its antiquities, from the pyramids to scarab beetles, in an attempt to collect royalties from the creation of replicas, an official said Thursday.
Arts Features
Blog Watch
Most Blogged about CBC.ca Articles
Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - link will open in new window
