Dylan’s literary influences outlined in a fine website

A thorough grounding in high (as well as pop) culture – notably great literature, from The Bible to Shakespeare, TS Eliot to Hunter S Thompson – is what makes Dylan so highly regarded among many people who wouldn’t give you tuppence for most other rock musicians.

Literary types are already well served by several “Bob as Lit” books – Gray, Ricks, and Hinchey spring to mind. Not many will have come across a very fine website which focuses entirely on exploring Dylan’s literary links.

BobLit, assembled by Southampton University PhD physicist Jonathan Fudger, collates references, debts and comments linking Dylan with 150 or so writers, from Ancient Greeks to PoMo-boho gonzos. If any university were still in any doubt as to whether Dylan deserves a place on their literature programmes, BobLit has all the supporting evidence they need.

So, if you’re interested in Dylan’s literary associations, reserve yourself a couple of hours over the holidays, pour yourself a glass of the best that money can buy, and luxuriate in BobLit.

Kudos Jonathan Fudger for an absorbing Dylan niche web site.



www.boblit.com



Gerry Smith