Enigma Challenged

The exception proves the rule, so although this blog is about literary essays on novels I’ve read in my book discussion club, this time around the post concentrates mostly on aphorisms, the book is a memoir, and I’ve contemplated it alone in the privacy of my home, surrounded by my most treasured vinyls from the ‘70s with one of them playing in the background...

I wanted to make this exception because the author himself is exceptional. A musician, painter and writer, he is one of the great artists of our time who rocked my world and zillions of others'.

I’m very touched that he decided to open up his life in his own words which to me ring very quiet, kind and humble indeed. It also feels quite surprising to be able to read so much about his personal experiences, innermost emotions and reflections on so many topics because he comes across as an undeniably private person. It is perhaps a bit of a mystery then that he is so passionate about reaching out to people by performing his creations, to which he also has devoted himself for decades.

To all of those, though, who have looked up to him as a prophet, an icon, a leader or something such like it becomes absolutely clear that he really is not a man of one fixed truth and that all he has ever aimed at is to just make his art. To that he has always remained true and, mind you, also that is ever-evolving.

His prose is fluent and personal, with rich and unique imagery, and it doesn’t only include poem-like visions but also many aphoristic phrases. Most of them tackle music, books, love, artistry, morality, work ethic, the creative process… and they are like a loupe through which to zoom into the text’s psychological core. With those few quotations below, I wanted to show a glimpse of that side of this autobiography.

But there are many more of these maxim-like thoughts to be found in Bob Dylan’s Chronicles, Volume One!

Authenticity, privacy, going one's own way:
“Being true to yourself, that was the thing. I was more a cowpuncher than a Pied Piper.”

Something his grandmother said:
”Happiness isn’t on the road to anything. Happiness is the road.”

On Balzac:
“Pure materialism is a recipe for madness.”

Something Archibald MacLeish said:
“The worth of things can’t be measured by what they cost but by what they cost you to get it, that if anything costs you your faith or your family, then the price is too high.”
“An authentic poet makes a style of his own.”

Pondering the laws of nature:
“I do know that the universe is formed with mathematical principles whether I understand them or not.”

What lurks behind 'excessive pride in oneself':
“Conceit is not necessarily a disease. It’s more of a weakness.”

So, obviously weakness isn't always meekness:
“Folks who are soft and helpless sometimes make the most noise.”

The art of appreciation:
“Sometimes you could be looking for heaven in the wrong places. Sometimes it could be under your feet.”

Learning from experience. And thinking about others, too:
“Getting what you want isn’t always the most important thing in life.”

Surrendering – to subjectivity, to absurdity, to mystery... (?):
“The only truth on earth is that there is no truth on it.”

The importance of perseverance in the arts:
“You can’t take only a few dance lessons and then think you are Fred Astaire.”

So, when you've read the actual book, I'd be very curious to hear which ideas in it made you stop and think. With your contribution this post could become a tribute for the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature 2016!