The Crying Heart Tattoo: A Novel [Paperback]

David Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1994

First published in 1982, this is the outrageous, romantic, and irresistible story of two people, Sonny and Felicity, who begin a relationship when he is 14 and she is 34, and continue it through four marriages and many misadventures until her death at age 70. Interwoven with their sexy, honest, and riveting tale is a strangely parallel story that she tells him about a prehistoric outcast who meets up with her former tribe only to confuse and frighten them, meanwhile falling in love with a young boy. Alternately heartbreaking, bawdy, and blissful, The Crying Heart Tattoo recalls the absurdities of life while rallying us to the cause of true love. This sparkling, unerringly original novel now appears in trade paperback for the first time.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A poignant, funny tale about the love between a young man and a woman twice his age.

Copyright 1994 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The main character, Sonny, narrates this story just days after the death of his life-long lover, Felicity Jones. His affair with Felicity, 20 years his senior, was kinky, unpredictable, irregular, and infrequent. Part of the attraction was a story that Felicity told Sonny in installments over the years. This saga paralleled their lives and gave vent to Felicity's hopes, dreams, fears, and despair. When the end of the story and Felicity's last words prove to be "the punch line" to a 30-year-long shaggy dog story, Sonny is the only person who can appreciate the joke. Martin writes well, alternating between living and imaginary characters, and humor and pathos abound. The tattoo ties it all together. Recommended for public libraries.
Joanna M. Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Coll. of Continuing Education Lib., Providence
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (August 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811807770
• ISBN-13: 978-0811807777
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,429,910 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's art, and it sticks..., June 29, 2000

By 

Susan K. Perry "Susan K. Perry" (Los Angeles, author of LOVING IN FLOW (BunnyApe.com)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crying Heart Tattoo: A Novel (Paperback)

Recently found this on my shelf while cleaning out the clutter, figured it's time to read it. Good choice. It's real literature, and now back on the shelf to stay. I disagree with all those who think it's "about" love or relationships -- like all true art, it's not "about" one thing. It has a sort of bleak world view (some might say), but it's honest, real, and reminds us to enjoy the journey, because that's all there is. The fable took a while to grow on me, but I've never read a fable within a novel that was so freshly and creatively written. I'll be looking for this author's other work.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm a guy, 6', 220lbs. Don't tell me it's a chick book., January 27, 1999

By 

cromej (virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crying Heart Tattoo: A Novel (Paperback)

I read this book, twice, 15 years ago. I lost it during one of my military relocations, and had been unable to find another copy, until now. But, if you will, try to imagine a book so charming, so witty, so enthralling, so unforgettable that it stays with you for fifteen years...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A story that grows on you as time passes, August 11, 2001

By 

Andi Miller (Caddo Mills, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crying Heart Tattoo: A Novel (Paperback)

When I read this book and reviewed it shortly afterward, I don't think I gave it fair due. As time goes on and I think back to this book I love it more and more.

This is the story of Felicity and Sonny.....life-long lovers with a turbulent and sometimes downright heartbreaking relationship. Felicity, 20 years Sonny's senior, is brazen and even loopy at times. She lends a great deal of humor to the story as well as veiled sadness.

Sonny, on the other hand is a huge jerk throughout most of the story as he becomes more and more bitter and jaded. Felicity seems to be the only spark left in his life...a spark which he almost puts out.

Running parallel to the story of Sonny and Felicity is the tale of Gravelda and Genipur. They are two rather primitive tribal people who are hauntingly similar to their modern-day counterparts. It's a story that Felicity tells to Sonny in chunks over the years as their meetings become fewer and farther between. The story allows Felicity to quietly vent her feelings about her relationship with Sonny.

This is a book that, even if you become a little dazed about in the process of reading, will stick to you long after you've read the last page. Far be it from me to withold credit where credit is due....and I must admit, this book is a jewel.