A never-before-published early novel and stories by the legendary musician, songwriter, and poet Leonard Cohen.
A Ballet of Lepers: A Novel and Stories, readers will discover that the magic that animated Cohen's unforgettable body of work was present from the very beginning of his career. The pieces in this collection, written between 1956 and 1961 and including short fiction, a radio play, and a stunning early novel, offer startling insights into Cohen's imagination and creative process. Cohen explores themes that would permeate his later work, from shame and unworthiness to sexual desire in all its sacred and profane dimensions to longing, whether for love, family, freedom, or transcendence.
Cohen's work is meditative and surprising, offering playful, provocative, and penetrating glimpses into the world-weary lives of his characters, and a window into the early art of a storytelling master.
A Ballet of Lepers, vivid in its detail, unsparing in its gaze, reveals the great artist and visceral genius as never seen before.
"An enthralling collection of work... This is magnificent." - Publishers Weekly
"All of Cohen's work has a raw, straight-to-the-heart intensity." - Vogue
"Cohen's life and art have been dissected for years, but as this revealing volume proves, there are still new shades of him to discover." - Esquire
