Jim Wilson
10-13-2016, 12:48 PM
Today Bob Dylan received the Noble Prize for literature. That is great news. No one deserves it more. My view of Dylan is that he is one of the greatest English language poets of the post WW II era. There are articles from the New York Times, the Guardian, and a fascinating interview about Dylan at Reason magazine; and many other online posts as well.
On a personal note, Dylan has been, and remains, a primary source of inspiration for my own poetry. Dylan's skill with rhyme, his ability to use a vast treasure trove of images in ways that are both familiar and unusual, his commitment to his singular vision, the way he skirts the edge of surrealism and comprehensibility, and many other aspects of his work have helped me immensely. I know others have been equally inspired.
In the Reason interview they refer to Dylan as the Shakespeare of our time. And the NYT compared him to Homer. That is amazing, but I don't think it is an exaggeration. Time will tell, of course, but personally I think there is no greater living poet in the English speaking world at this time.
Congratulations to Dylan and to the Noble Committee!!! A fine choice!!!
On a personal note, Dylan has been, and remains, a primary source of inspiration for my own poetry. Dylan's skill with rhyme, his ability to use a vast treasure trove of images in ways that are both familiar and unusual, his commitment to his singular vision, the way he skirts the edge of surrealism and comprehensibility, and many other aspects of his work have helped me immensely. I know others have been equally inspired.
In the Reason interview they refer to Dylan as the Shakespeare of our time. And the NYT compared him to Homer. That is amazing, but I don't think it is an exaggeration. Time will tell, of course, but personally I think there is no greater living poet in the English speaking world at this time.
Congratulations to Dylan and to the Noble Committee!!! A fine choice!!!