Bob Dylan is the only guy who can win a Nobel Prize for Literature and then make his fans wait twenty-two years for the sequel to his own autobiography. It’s kind of hilarious, honestly. Back in 2004, when Chronicles: Volume One hit the shelves, it didn't just top the charts—it fundamentally changed how we look at rock memoirs. No ghostwriter. No chronological "I was born in a small town" boredom. Just raw, hallucinatory prose about Greenwich Village, wrestling matches, and the mid-career slump of Oh Mercy.
But for over two decades, the question has remained: where is the rest? We’ve had rumors. We’ve had "leaks" from publishers that turned out to be placeholder dates. Now, in early 2026, the fog is finally lifting around Bob Dylan Chronicles Volume 2, and the reality of the situation is even weirder than the myths.
The Sean Penn "Leak" and the Unabridged Confusion
Last year, everyone thought the dam had finally burst. Sean Penn, who did the abridged narration for the first book, went on Louis Theroux’s podcast and casually mentioned he was getting ready to record "the second one." The internet basically exploded.
"Yeah, I think I’m about to do the second one, actually. Yeah, Chronicles 2." — Sean Penn (Louis Theroux Podcast)
Fans were convinced this was the official confirmation. But then, things got Dylan-esque. Simon & Schuster announced a major release for November 2025, but it wasn't the sequel. It was an unabridged version of Volume One, also narrated by Penn, alongside a new book of Dylan's sketches titled Point Blank.
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It felt like a classic bait-and-switch. However, insiders and close Dylanologists like Sean Wilentz have hinted that this renewed activity isn't just a cash grab. It’s a setup. You don't release a high-production, unabridged version of a twenty-year-old book unless you’re preparing the audience for what’s coming next. The groundwork for Bob Dylan Chronicles Volume 2 is officially being laid.
What is Actually Inside the Sequel?
Dylan has actually been surprisingly vocal about what he wants to write, even if he hasn't handed over the manuscript. In various interviews, specifically with Rolling Stone, he’s mentioned that he wants to tackle the mid-60s. That’s the "holy grail" for fans.
We’re talking about the transition from The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan to the electric chaos of Blonde on Blonde. He’s mentioned wanting to explore the Under the Red Sky era too—which is such a "Bob" move. Why write about the world-changing Blood on the Tracks when you can write about a critically panned album you made while hanging out with the Traveling Wilburys?
The eras we’re likely to see:
- The Mid-60s Explosion: Dylan has hinted at starting with records like Another Side of Bob Dylan.
- The "Lost" Years: He’s fascinated by his own periods of failure. Expect deep dives into the late 80s or early 90s, specifically the Good As I Been to You sessions.
- The Traveling Wilburys: Dylan once said he felt like he was "walking into a wall" trying to record his solo stuff while George Harrison and Jeff Lynne were in the next room. That’s the kind of prose we need.
Why This Isn't Just a Regular Memoir
Most people get it wrong when they talk about Bob Dylan Chronicles Volume 2. They expect a history book. It isn't. The first volume was famously "intertextual." That’s a fancy way of saying Dylan lifted phrases from Hemingway, Jack London, and even old travel guides to New Orleans.
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He treats his life like one of his songs. He isn't interested in being a reliable witness; he’s interested in being a storyteller. If the sequel ever arrives—and with the current 2026 momentum, it feels closer than ever—it’s going to be a work of fiction disguised as a memoir. And honestly? That’s exactly what we want.
Critics like Clinton Heylin have complained that Dylan’s prose has "as much basis in reality as Masked and Anonymous." But who cares? Chronicles isn't about facts. It’s about how it felt to be in a room with Gorgeous George or Archibald MacLeish.
The 2026 Outlook: Is the Wait Over?
The industry buzz right now is focused on the "Six-Book Deal" Dylan signed with Simon & Schuster way back in 2011. We’ve seen the lyrics books. We’ve seen The Philosophy of Modern Song. We’ve seen the art books. There are only a few slots left in that contract.
With the Timothée Chalamet biopic A Complete Unknown bringing Dylan back into the mainstream zeitgeist, the timing for Bob Dylan Chronicles Volume 2 is perfect. The publisher has the ISBN (0743230779) ready. They have the narrator. They have the 20-year anniversary of the original hype.
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Basically, the "Never Ending Tour" is still going, and Bob is still writing. He told an interviewer once that he "stumbled into a strategy of going into the future and into the past." We’re just waiting for him to decide which part of the past he wants to let us see.
How to Prepare for the Release
If you want to be ready for the inevitable drop of Bob Dylan Chronicles Volume 2, don't just wait for the news. Do the legwork.
- Re-read Volume One: But do it with a guide. Look up the "Dylan Fragments" online to see where he borrowed his lines from. It makes the reading experience much more like a treasure hunt.
- Listen to the "Oh Mercy" Outtakes: The first book made that album a legend. If the second book covers Blonde on Blonde, go back and listen to the Bootleg Series Vol. 12 to understand the "thin wild mercury sound" he’ll likely be describing.
- Track the ISBN: Keep an eye on major retailer listings for that specific number (0743230779). When that date shifts from "2030" or "December 31" to a specific Tuesday, you’ll know it’s real.
- Check the Official Site: BobDylan.com usually hides announcements in plain sight. They’ve been updating their "Books" section more frequently in the last six months than they have in the last six years.
The man is 84. He’s still touring. He’s still painting. And if the rumors from the recording booths are true, he’s still got plenty to say.