BOOKMARK: Bob Dylan: Prophet, Mystic, Poet

It’s always noteworthy when a local writer is about to publish a “big book,” but it’s particularly special when we happen to know him personally. Such is the case with our very own Seth Rogovoy, whose BOB DYLAN: Prophet, Mystic, Poet (Scribner) hits bookstores near and far November 24; and we couldn’t be more proud to say, “We knew him when.”

For those who have been following the career of Rogovoy (the only editor-in-chief this magazine has ever known, award-winning music critic, and author of The Essential Klezmer: A Music Lover’s Guide to Jewish Roots and Soul Music), it comes as no real surprise that Bob Dylan would be the topic of his latest book. (Was ever an author more suited to his subject?) But what may surprise some is Rogovoy’s unique and enlightening treatment of Dylan, the subject of many other more forgettable biographies.

What’s different here is Rogovoy’s careful exploration and analysis, often line by line, of Dylan’s art; Rogovoy puts Dylan’s life and oeuvre in the context of the Jewish prophetic tradition, and in doing so makes the very convincing case that it’s Dylan’s Jewish roots that arguably have had the strongest artistic influence on the legendary singer and songwriter. And we’re not the only ones applauding the effort. Frequent New York Times and Rolling Stone contributor Alan Light writes: “Even after almost fifty years, the language of Bob Dylan’s songs remains full of uncharted territory. Seth Rogovoy is uniquely qualified to examine the connections between Dylan’s songwriting and Jewish liturgy, and BOB DYLAN: Prophet, Mystic, Poet helps fill in one more piece of an endless and fascinating puzzle.” [NOV/DEC 2009]

THE GOODS

BOB DYLAN:
Prophet, Mystic, Poet
By Seth Rogovoy
Scribner

BOOK SIGNINGS and AUTHOR EVENTS

Nov 16 at 7
Multimedia performance
Springfield [Mass.] Jewish Community Center
1160 Dickinson St.
Springfield, Mass.
413.739.4715

Dec 3 at 6
Book signing
Water Street Books
26 Water St.
Williamstown, Mass.
413.458.8071

Dec 4 at 7
Book signing
The Bookloft
322 Stockbridge Rd./Route 7
Great Barrington, Mass
413.528.1521

Dec 8 at 5
Book signing
The Bookstore
11 Housatonic St.
Lenox, Mass.
413.637.3390

Dec 12 at 3
Multimedia performance
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
14 Castle St.
Great Barrington, Mass.
413.528.0100

Dec 15 at 6 
Book signing
Chapters Bookstore
78 North St.
Pittsfield, Mass.
413.443.2665