Leonard Cohen is still remembered as the remarkable literary persona of
the 1960s whose two novels were to sell a million copies each, and as the poet
who won the Governor General's Award. Since the 1960s he has become
internationally famous for the breathtaking series of albums he has recorded -
from Songs of Leonard Cohen (1968) to The Future (1992). Bruce Cockburn's
recording career spans 28 years and 23 albums, the latest being the Juno Award
winning Breakfast in New Orleans, Dinner in Timbuktu. His lyric writing, woven
together with integrity and intelligence, is exceptional. His songs are
political, mystical, and religious; many the result of his travels and
activism. He is also currently honorary chair of Friends of the Earth. These
two artists, although different in style and temperament, are considered
together in this book to compare the ways in which they approach the questions
of love and desire - in their work and in their lives. Drawing heavily on the
teachings of psychoanalysis, Nonnekes argues that, despite widely different
routes, both of these artists express a similar desire in their work - the love
provided by communion with the feminine other.