The True Performing of It: Bob Dylan & William ShakespearePaperback, 22 October 2019

A young man, dreaming of conquering the entertainment world, repeatedly copies what went before until he feels in command of the art that inspired him. He succeeds and achieves artistic greatness while simultaneously entertaining the crowds. The language of the street and The Bible reside together in his writing. Everyone has questions about him. Where do his ideas come from and how did he go from dreaming of being a poet to turning popular entertainment into works of acclaimed genius? This story could start in 1590 or 1960. In either case the paths of these two, and the answers to the questions, are startlingly similar. By placing the work, circumstances and careers of Bob Dylan and William Shakespeare side-by-side in The True Performing Of It Andrew Muir throws new light on the artistry and achievements of both men.