Review of Heller Levinson's 'flutterrudderbutterfly': A Linguistic Exploration

Levinson’s work defies conventional syntax as it interweaves philosophical ideas with varied language forms, blending elements of botany, slang, scientific terms, and metaphysical musings. For instance, one of his striking assertions is: "The Abyss is the Void accelerated.” The text flows with unexpected juxtapositions, leaving readers to navigate a complex web of meaning.

Central to the book is the exploration of love, encapsulated in a recurring inquiry: how much of love is concatenation? Levinson plays with variations of this question, using descriptors such as accidental, miserable, and indispensable to delve into the complexity of the emotion. At one point, he asks whether love can be learned, especially after physical intimacy fades.

The title itself—‘flutterrudderbutterfly’—serves as a metaphor for the interconnectedness and fluidity of language. Levinson has long defined his approach as Hinge Poetics, a method he has developed over nearly two decades. His work showcases words released from their usual contexts, inviting fresh interpretations through their proximity to each other.

Levinson employs a playful yet incisive humor throughout, avoiding a tone that could become overly theoretical. He juxtaposes highbrow philosophical concepts with everyday items, such as a legal term next to zucchini, thereby creating a more engaging narrative. This humor allows the text to explore serious themes without becoming weighed down by its own profundity.

One of the notable sections, titled THE ABYSSAL RESUSCITATIONS, draws from Antonin Artaud to explore "incantation in the void" and the transformative nature of language. Here, the term "Abyssal" appears repeatedly, paired with a range of other words, illustrating the fertile ground Levinson creates through these unexpected linguistic partnerships.

As the narrative unfolds, the structural layout of the text itself contributes significantly to its meaning. Words are dispersed across the page, some isolated in whitespace, enhancing their significance. Sometimes, a reader must leap between sentences, reconstructing connections and meanings along the way, a testament to the relational nature of Levinson's poetics.

The love sequence in particular stands out, as it challenges established ideas and emotional assumptions about the term. Earlier iterations of this concept appear in Levinson's previous works, yet the fixed notion of love allows for greater scrutiny of its varying interpretations throughout the book.

Despite the richness of semantics, some passages can feel overcrowded, risking obscuring individual meanings. However, Levinson's approach maintains a sense of surprise, capturing readers' attention as they sift through the text’s layered structures.

Ultimately, 'flutterrudderbutterfly' challenges traditional notions of language and meaning, urging readers to seek out the unpredictable connections within the text. Levinson’s playful experimentation with words invites readers to consider their own relationships with language and meaning.

Igor V. Satanovsky, a poet and translator, is the author of ten poetry collections and co-hosts the Quantum Age Poetry reading series in New York City.