'Greatest living poet' Bob Dylan wins Nobel literature prize

CNBC ^ | October 13, 2016 | Reuters

[Nifster]

I would suggest there might have been another writer more worthy

Be that as it may Bob does write good songs

[Hostage]

I will illustrate by way of a separate example of a person not unlike Dylan who, also a poet, received the prize but was snubbed and ostracized by critics saying it was undeserved, when in fact, this person's one major work is a monument to the human spirit triumphing over adversity.

Pasternak won the Nobel Prize for a single novel 'Zhivago'.

It was quite complicated and disjoint. The writing wasn't a marvel of plot and devices that would wow a literary critic. The award of the prize to him was deemed political as it shined a light on the brutality and horror of the Russian revolution.

There were many stories and novels of the revolution that were not awarded such a prize. It seemed to many that Pasternak, more a poet than a novelist, was elevated beyond what was deserved. If there had been a 'Grammy' for literature, perhaps that would have been a more suitable award for this 'mediocre' poet, or so some might have thought.

But as this one work sunk into the members of the arts societies, it was recognized as reflecting human nature in its most decrepit and most exalted states. Pasternak wrote Zhivago over more than four decades. His poems were quite good but it was the Zhivago work that won the Nobel Prize.

Of course, David Lean's 1965 film version of Zhivago wowed audiences with its music and melodrama but succeeded in losing the essence of what Pasternak had captured. To reflect what Pasternak had truly captured required a 2002 adaptation. I like this latter film version much better by several-fold in comparison to the 1965 version.

A 2002 trailer of the more Pasternak-faithful version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgJAf-NbY9w

The point is the work had to be put to film to illustrate its importance to literature. It was difficult reading and translations from the Russian were lacking in conveying the essence of the human character development. A film was needed to fll the gap.

Would I compare Pasternak with Dylan (Zimmerman)? Absolutely.

Whereas Pasternak's 'Zhivago' provided the backdrop from the viewpoint of an 'individual' to the social upheaval of the collective monstrosity of communism, Dylan's poem-songs provided the backdrop to the social upheaval associated with the turbulent Vietnam era. Dylan's influence on this social aspect was not by design but merely reflective of the times but its influence was so pervasive in the undercurrents of societies around the globe that there were Bob Dylans popping up all over the Soviet Union adding to its downfall. These symbols of resistance captured the spirit of the times. This was Dylan's contribution.

It's important to note that it was not Dylan's voice or talent with musical instruments that made his fame, it was the literary content of his poems turned into minstrel folk songs by deft arrangement that created a new genre of story-telling.

[Doche2X2]

“I’m a poet, I know it, hope I don’t blow it.” Dylan’s lyrics are far superior to what passes for most contemporary poetry today, and I read it, or try to read it. Most of these poets lost their audiences when they abandoned formal qualities like rhythm, rhyme, tempo, for free verse. How much of today’s lyrics can stand on their own, without the music? Not much. In fact, very little poetry can stand without its own internal music. The human heart has a rhythm.

[Albion Wilde]

THANK YOU for that ping! Wonderful news, and much deserved!!!!

[achilles2000]

I’ve probably forgotten more about music and literature than you’ve ever known. This Nobel is a disgrace. Perhaps Gordon Lightfoot could be next. At least he could carry a tune.

[achilles2000]

Geezers with weed is the most rational explanation.

[achilles2000]

I’m convinced. Just as worthy as even Shakespeare (if he were eligible).

[Hostage]

No one, not one person can rival Shakespeare.

[Albion Wilde]

He’ll still get suspicious looks from cops at the Jersey shore.

LOL -- good one! That whole episode moved me to tears. To think of that cop riding in a car with him for however long it took her to get back to the station and having no idea how many people would give their arm to spend some time idly chatting with him — wow. And picturing him just accepting it and going along, having a new experience and being anonymous for a change — double wow!—"a complete unknown. Like a rolling stone."

[punchamullah]

I roomed with Bob and Jimmy Solberg back in ‘71 in Milwaukee, in that old basement flat on Kane Place. I did not know how far he had risen until I started digging LC about ten years ago!

[miss marmelstein]

Oh, yeah, that literature thing...

Listen buster, the award is not handed out for carrying a tune, as you with your mastery of musicology, so brilliantly put it.

It’s being handed out for his brilliant and illuminating lyrics that have inspired a generation.

Now go back to reading Game of Thrones and leave me alone.

[miss marmelstein]

Very well said. I dare anyone to read the lyrics of “Tomorrow is a Long Time” and not be moved. And then add in the lovely composition.

[achilles2000]

Brilliant and illuminating lyrics? Just popular protest songs. He did nothing of any intellectual distinction. And what do you know about music? How many times have you performed classical music in front of international audiences? As for the Lightfoot reference, the point, which you missed, was that his “poetry” was at least as good as Dylan’s and he was more musical. As for “inspiring a generation”, Dylan inspired the worst elements of society. Perhaps you should be at DU where no one would doubt the “genius” of Dylan. He deserves a Nobel just like Obama did.

[miss marmelstein]

Go lie down in a dark room with a cool cloth across your fevered brow.

I don’t judge artists by their politics but only by their talent. Dylan has contributed markedly to the great American songbook and deserves his award.

As Michael Reidel just said on the radio, he thought Oscar Hammerstein should have received it. Of course, he passed away long ago but he was a remarkable lyricist.

[achilles2000]

I’m convinced. Now I think that Wolfgang Puck should get the Nobel in Chemistry for his influential contributions to food chemistry.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I lived over on Maryland Avenue, in a big old Victorian House. The Baroques lived on the corner.

[af_vet_1981]

This is beyond imbecility. Dylan’s low IQ doggerel is as worthy of a Nobel as Rigoberta Menchu’s “biography” and all the other PC Nobels to small talent, mediocre minds for their service to the leftist agenda. Yeah, Dylan is just as good as Kipling or Hemmingway. /sarc/

Who to choose ... the man who wrote The Burden of Jerusalem, the novelist whose every book I read and loved (until I learned he blew his brains out) ..., or the one who wrote Visions of Johanna

[af_vet_1981]

Brilliant and illuminating lyrics? Just popular protest songs. He did nothing of any intellectual distinction. And what do you know about music?

"The ghost of electricity howls in the bones of her face"

Jerry Garcia ripping up one of Bob Dylan's best songs. Also with crispy soundboard! Yea!