Suze Rotolo, the girl depicted with him on the cover of Bob Dylan’s first album, has, 45 years later written her memories of their life together and of the early 60’s NYC folk scene. Although it has a publication date of May 13, it has been widely circulated (See for example, this post and this LA Times review and this Gawker Gawk .) The New York Times review is here with an excerpt here ; National Public Radio here. For Dylan fans or those with an unceasing yen for nostalgia, try these Dylan-Rotolo photos. It’s a good book about that time & place. I was there some (see last graph, below) and think her report catches well much of the flavor of the time. (Unlike, for example, “Positively 4th Street,” a book I found way too snarky.)

One of the great harms to Ms. Rotolo, I guess, of having been close to Dylan, is that he sucks the oxygen out of the room. She became a remarkable visual artist, teaches art at Parsons’. To see some of her complex, thoughtful work, try these re-conceived playing cards (another view here ) or this Cabin On The Great Pond. Because her work is best viewed close up, try to find an exhibit.

She is, of course, condemned to book tour. On Wednesday May 14, Rotolo'll be reading and signing at one of my favorite book stores: the Housing Works Book Store-Café at 126 Crosby Street at 7PM. (Suggested donation $10, but really free) as part of its 10 anniversary. I plan to go. You should consider it.

Caveat, Suze Rotolo is mishpochah – part of the extended family of the left. Our parents were militants together. I knew slightly Suze and her older sister Carla both as a child and very young teen, had unrequited crushes on both. For a camp photo of Suze from the late 50’s click here. As a result, she can do little wrong, in my book.

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