No One to Meet: Imitation and Originality in the Songs of Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature, challenging the literary establishment to consider him an integral part of our national and international literary heritage. No One to Meet: Imitation and Originality in the Songs of Bob Dylan demonstrates the similarity between Dylan's creative process and classical and Renaissance authors' methods of composition, deepening our appreciation of his songs and celebrating him as a great writer.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2022
Publisher: The University of Alabama Press

The literary world has long regarded Bob Dylan as an enigmatic and perplexing outsider, but this perception underwent a seismic shift when he was awarded the prestigious 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature. This honor compels us to reevaluate his place in the annals of national and international literature, recognizing him as an integral part of our shared literary heritage. In his groundbreaking book, No One to Meet: Imitation and Originality in the Songs of Bob Dylan, Raphael Falco takes us on a captivating journey that places Dylan the artist within a rich tapestry of literary production. Through lucid prose, Falco unveils an innovative perspective on Dylan's unique and often contentious methods of composition, challenging our preconceived notions of his artistic identity. Falco demonstrates the striking similarity between what Renaissance writers referred to as imitatio and the way Dylan borrows, assimilates, and reimagines traditional songs. While Dylan's lyrical postures may evoke a sense of post-Romantic, avant-garde consciousness, No One to Meet reveals that his creative process draws upon and expands the methods employed by classical and Renaissance authors. By drawing upon a wealth of examples, including previously unseen manuscript excerpts and archival materials, Falco illuminates how the ancient practice of poetic imitation, inherited from Greco-Roman antiquity, sheds light on Dylan's musical and lyrical technique. By contextualizing Dylan within the framework of an age-old poetic practice, No One to Meet enhances our appreciation of his songs and elevates him to his rightful place as a great writer. Through his meticulous scholarship and insightful analysis, Falco offers a fresh perspective on Dylan's artistic journey, shedding light on the intricate interplay between imitation, originality, and the enduring power of great literature.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780817321413