In 1959, Cohen was awarded a $2,000 Canada Council grant, which he used to live cheaply in London and on the Greek island of Hydra while he wrote the novel, then titled Beauty at Close Quarters.

Jack McClelland was concerned about the autobiographical content and found the novel to be tedious and preoccupied with sex.

He wrote, "anyone with an ear will know I've torn apart orchestras to arrive at my straight, melodic line.

The book was only available as an import in Canada until McClelland & Stewart published a New Canadian Library paperback edition in 1970.

[1] A film adaptation of the novel, directed by Bernar Hebert, was released in 2003.