And the Nobel Prize in Literature Goes to . . . Bob Dylan? - by Dimitrios P Naskos

Book Synopsis

"...a brilliant and fascinating analysis of Dylan and his lyrics and songs, making a major contribution to our understanding of Dylan and his work." -Andrew Melrose, Emeritus Professor of Writing University of Winchester, UK

"It's a charming, readable excursion through one researcher's own journey with words and music." -Marshall Moore, Author of Love Is a Poisonous Color and Sunset House

And the Nobel Prize in Literature Goes to . . . Bob Dylan? delves into the fascinating story of the famous songwriter and singer who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016. Through a thought-provoking analysis of the works of Bob Dylan and other famous songwriters, author Dimitrios Naskos explores the complexities of whether songwriting can be considered high literature and if musicians who write lyrics deserve the same recognition as traditional writers.

At its core, this book celebrates the profound legacy of songwriting and the pivotal role songs play in our lives. By offering a novel outlook on the intersection of music and literature, Naskos encourages readers to delve into the realm of words and music in fresh and stimulating ways.

Review Quotes

"Like Bob Dylan, Dimitrios Naskos cares deeply about the most important 'thing made' within-and bequeathed to us by-ancient Greek culture: the poiēma or 'song poem.' Like Dylan, Naskos knows that 'poetry and music have been walking hand in hand for centuries.' His 'takes' on Dylan make us feel how taking Dylan's songs into our souls prepares us to face the challenges of modern life."

-Tom Palaima, Macarthur Fellow, elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

"Dimitrios Naskos's new book makes a unique contribution to the existing mile-high stack of Bob books . . . Though the title suggests a focus on Dylan's 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature, the book ambitiously takes on much more, and ultimately serves many functions: biographical, musicological, and philosophical (What is literature?). Additionally, Naskos includes a piece of his own creative writing in the form of a short story based on Dylan's song, 'The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll' (a story that preserves the core of the song while simultaneously bringing new life to it) . . . "Those who wish to explore Dylan's work through the lens of literature will find content on symbolism and surrealism. Others may be interested in Dylan's place in the trajectory of history, science, and music . . . For the uninitiated, early sections of the book work as a primer on Woody Guthrie, the Beats, and gospel music (all key influences on Dylan)."

-Jon Lasser, PhD, university distinguished and regents' professor, School Psychology Program, Texas State University

"And the Nobel Prize in Literature goes to . . . Bob Dylan? . . . explains to us why words, lyrics, speech, sounds, and the oral traditions cannot be separated from the 'meant to be read' forms of literature. Bob Dylan is among the most quoted writers in history, and Dimitrios Naskos makes the case for why the Swedish Academy's decision to honor him with the Nobel Prize in Literature was not only sound but also long overdue. A must for every Dylanologist's library."

-Tony Beram, managing director, Club Placebo and the Placebo Foundation; president, National Association of Ticket Brokers

"[And the Nobel Prize in Literature Goes to . . . Bob Dylan?] is an intriguing critical composition of the life and work of the American troubadour. . . .

"It is a surprising book that transcends time, with a backdrop of soundscapes, traditions, modern movements, and images of twentieth- century American life. The book is a significant contribution . . . to the 'Dylan culture.' . . . This experience is not simply an answer to the question of whether Dylan deserved the Nobel Prize in Literature or not; it is an authentic journey of exploration into Dylan's universe."

-Professor Stelios Perrakis, Former Vice Rector at Panteion University (Athens, Greece), Former Ambassador of Greece to the Council of Europe

"Naskos's book . . . has a provoking and well-established multipart aim. It is constructed like a Matryoshka doll. The outside casing is the work of Bob Dylan as a musician and lyricist, which Naskos carefully disassociates from Dylan as a person. The next, more specific casing is Dylan as a Nobelist, and then [the narrative] follows a new and crucial casing: the legitimacy of awarding him this prize for the lyrics of his songs. Can they be considered poetry? Are they literature? Naskos answers the question positively, rejecting the old-fashioned opposition between 'high' and 'low' culture."

-Alexandros Ph. Lagopoulos, Professor Emeritus, Urban Planning, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; Corresponding Member, Academy of Athens