Suze Rotolo

Seeing A Complete Unknown inspired me to look back on our very first Book Club selection (August 2023), Suze Rotolo’s A Freewheelin’ Time. Let me encourage you to revisit Suze’s life in art, politics, and New York City. Revisit our Back Pages on Suze and, for example, listen to Terry Gross’s interview on the National Public Radio show Fresh Air that is linked on that page. Lots of other good information, too, not the least of which is advice on pronouncing her name. Speaking of her name, Dylan asked that she be given a fictional name, Sylvie Russo, in the movie. My interpretation of why he asked for this is that he wanted to protect some part of Suze’s legacy and also his feelings for her. The name change fooled no one, but, at the same time, it’s like he’s closing a door and telling us “stop here”, with regard to their relationship.