DORIAN, EMIL

DORIAN, EMIL (1892–1956), Romanian poet and novelist. Born in Bucharest, Dorian practiced medicine there but devoted much of his time to writing. His works, published under such satirical pseudonyms as Michail Prunk and Dr. Knock, appeared in several important literary journals. Dorian's verse was later collected in Cîntece pentru Lelioara ("Songs for Lelioara," 1923), In preajma serii ("In the Twilight," 1924), and De vorbă cu bălanul meu ("A Talk with My White Horse," 1925). These poems, praised by the critics, display a serenity and love for mankind that later found expression in the novel Vagabonzii ("The Vagabonds," 1934). The leftist pacifism of this work provoked some hostile comment: the Romanian literary historian George Călinescu pointedly observed that only a Jew devoid of national feelings could so ruthlessly condemn a people's struggle. Other novels by Dorian were Profeţi şi paiaţe ("Prophets and Clowns," 19332) and Otrava ("Poison," 1946), the latter dealing with the anti-Jewish persecution under Antonescu's pro-Nazi regime. Otrava stressed the permanence of antisemitism and its persistence in all strata of society – including the proletariat. For this deviation Dorian's works were banned by the Communists and the writer was thereafter only allowed to publish poems and stories for children. He also translated Heine's Buch der Lieder and Eliezer Steinbarg's Yiddish fables. -BIBLIOGRAPHY: E. Lovinescu, in: Critice, vol. 7, p. 151; G. Călinescu, Istoria literaturii romîne dela origini pînă în prezent (1941), 766–7, 921; S. Albu, in: Gazeta literară (Bucharest, June 20, 1957). (Abraham Feller)