I'm not sure what to make of the Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize for Literature. The literary merit of his early work is unquestionable, but is opening the doors to literary Valhalla to a wandering minstrel a capitulation to popular culture? Perhaps not a bad thing. Via WSJ, some men of letters are skeptical.
Gary Shteyngart, meanwhile, appeared to disagree with the academy’s decision. “I totally get the Nobel committee,” the author wrote. “Reading books is hard.” Irvine Welsh was even stronger in his dissent, writing, “I’m a Dylan fan, but this is an ill conceived nostalgia award wrenched from the rancid prostates of senile, gibbering hippies."
http://www.wsj.com/articles/nobel-prize-in-literature-awarded-to-bob-dylan-1476356723
The next Nobel Prize in Literature will go to Gary Shteyngart for that hippie comment.
ReplyDeleteDylan deserves the prize. Sara Danius' reasoning was solid. I particularly liked the mention of Sappho. Apt comparison.
ReplyDeleteBrett Allen that was Irvine Welsh, but Shteyngart deserves at least a Nobel nomination for Super Sad True Love Story.
ReplyDeleteBrett Allen he's trying to be funny. Sometimes he succeeds but given the very large number of times he tries he's really no big deal as a comedian.
ReplyDeleteWhat a strange choice. So many brilliant writers, Novels and Poetry, to choose from. I really don't get it. Maybe Tom Jones still has a chance.
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