Dylan’s Visions of Sin

‘I consider myself a poet first and a musician second’ ‘It ain’t the melodies that’re important man, it’s the words’ There is no shortage of books about Bob Dylan. This one, however, is unique in its approach and the virtuosity of its execution. Ricks examines Dylan’s songs through the biblical concepts of the seven deadly Sins, the four cardinal Virtues and the three Heavenly Graces. He does so with what one critic has described as ‘an ultimately irresistible combination of laser-like intelligence with a fan’s exuberant idolatry’.

Reviews of Dylan’s Visions of Sin

'Ricks's writing on Dylan is the best there is' Alex Ross, New Yorker 'A great case has been made by a great critic (Christopher Ricks) that a great lyricist – Bob Dylan – is, in fact, a poet.' Dan Chiasson, New York Review of Books 'The rewards are just as one would expect: a bracing attention to artfulness, a wonderful sensitivity to nuance, and a particularly brilliant sympathy with the purpose and effect of Dylan's rhymes.' Andrew Motion, Guardian