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BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Book of the Week

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Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

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Julian Barratt

Colin Stinton

Pippa Vaughan

Jo Coombs

Liel Leibovitz

Book of the Week: A Broken Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen's Secret Chord: Episode 2

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Episode 2

A Broken Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen's Secret Chord

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, A Broken Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen's Secret Chord, Episode 2

Despite success as a poet, Cohen feels the need to escape to the Greek island of Hydra.

Despite success as a poet, Cohen feels the need to escape to the Greek island of Hydra. Biography read by Julian Barrett.

As Leonard Cohen turns 80, a new biography by Liel Leibovitz explores the life, work and passion of the poet-turned-musician. What makes Cohen such an enduring international figure in the cultural imagination?

Granted extraordinary access to Cohen's personal papers, Leibovitz evokes a complicated, sometimes contradictory figure. Born into a Canadian religious Jewish family, for years a reclusive lyricist on the Greek island of Hydra, known for his bold political commentary, his devotion to Buddhist thought and his later despair over contemporary Zionism, Cohen hardly follows the rules of a conventional rock star.

An intimate look at a man who, despite battles with stage fright and years spent in hermit-like isolation, is still touring and now seems to be reaching a new peak of popularity.

In episode 2, despite success as a poet, Cohen feels the need to escape to the Greek island of Hydra.


Read by Julian Barratt, with Leonard Cohen quotes read by Colin Stinton.
Abridged by: Jo Coombs
Producer: Pippa Vaughan
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

Book of the Week: A Broken Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen's Secret Chord

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Factual: Life Stories

As Leonard Cohen turns 80, Liel Leibovitz explores his life, work and passion.

As Leonard Cohen turns 80, a new biography by Liel Leibovitz explores the life, work and passion of the poet-turned-musician.

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