Gil Orlovitz Criticism
Gil Orlovitz (1918–1973) was an innovative American writer known for his work as a poet, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, and editor. Distinguished by his use of experimental verbal techniques, Orlovitz's oeuvre spans sonnets, lyrics, satires, and biographical masques, showcasing his versatile and inventive style. His novel, Milkbottle H, exemplifies his avant-garde approach, defying conventional narrative forms. As noted by Kevin Sullivan, it is often deemed a "no-novel" due to its formless nature and thematic exploration of identity, which draws comparisons to Joyce and Farrell. Alternatively, Hale Chatfield suggests it could be viewed as a long poem, requiring a dedicated reader to fully appreciate its depth.
Orlovitz's poetry, characterized by its intricate content and use of juxtaposition and control, is celebrated for its imaginative vigor and societal critique. As David Ignatow argues, Orlovitz is a pivotal satirical poet of his time, whose work challenges cultural norms through its provocative style. Meanwhile, Gerald Stern highlights the complexity and diverse forms of Orlovitz's poetry, noting its unique and provocative nature that defies traditional critical perspectives.
Despite the challenges his work presents, Orlovitz’s conscious wit and deliberate style are recognized for their artistic merit. As George Dillon observes, Orlovitz’s The Diary of Dr. Eric Zero is marked by youthful Dadaism and a distinctive atmosphere of horror, emphasizing his skill in crafting epigrams. Orlovitz's literary contributions continue to inspire and provoke thought, leaving a lasting impact on American literature.
Contents
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Style and the Many-Headed Beast
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In the following essay, George Dillon critiques Gil Orlovitz's The Diary of Dr. Eric Zero for its youthful Dadaism and wit, acknowledging Orlovitz's skill in crafting epigrams and creating an atmosphere of horror, while emphasizing the conscious wit and deliberate style of his poetic leaps.
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The Poetry of Protest
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In the following essay, Henry Birnbaum examines Gil Orlovitz's work, emphasizing his imaginative and challenging literary style, which often uses paradox and linguistic creativity to critique societal norms, despite sometimes frustrating readers with complex expressions and ingenious yet shallow devices.
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Engagements
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In the following essay, David Ignatow argues that Gil Orlovitz is a crucial contemporary satirical poet, whose work, characterized by imaginative vigor and societal critique, reflects a provocative and chaotic style that challenges cultural norms and conveys an underlying visionary coherence.
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The Anti-novel Is Dead: Long Live the No-novel
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In the following essay, Kevin Sullivan discusses Gil Orlovitz's novel Milkbottle H as a "no-novel," emphasizing its formlessness and thematic exploration of identity through the metaphor of a milkbottle, drawing parallels to Joyce and Farrell, and highlighting Orlovitz's self-aware critique of literary naturalism and societal structures.
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Ulysses in Philadelphia
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In the following essay, J. D. Scott critiques Gil Orlovitz's novel "Milkbottle H" for its Joycean mode of writing, noting its disjointed narrative style and complex structure, ultimately questioning the novel's value due to its avant-garde characteristics that may not justify the effort required to comprehend it.
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Literary Exile in Residence
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In the following essay, Hale Chatfield contends that Gil Orlovitz's poetry, characterized by its intricate mental content and use of juxtaposition and control, requires a dedicated reader to appreciate its depth, and argues that Orlovitz's "Milkbottle H," often misjudged as a novel, should be considered akin to a long poem.
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Miss Pink at Last: An Appreciation of Gil Orlovitz
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In the following essay, Gerald Stern examines the complexities of Gil Orlovitz's poetry, noting its diverse forms, ambivalent stance toward traditional poetic structures, and the unique, provocative nature that challenges conventional critical perspectives, while highlighting Orlovitz's passion and evolving satirical style as defining elements.