Customer Reviews

The Tattoo Artist: A Novel

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's been several months since I read this book, and I still can't forget it. One of my favorite books of last year, and all time. This not a typical novel written in the typical authorial voice generated by writer workshops and popular weekly magazines. This story about art, love, and tattoos explores the mysteries inherent in each, without falling into pat themes or regurgitated meaning. Not a retelling of myth, it works on a mythological level and I was transformed by it, as if I had not just read about tattoos but gotten one. And in a way I have, that's how strongly I feel about this book, it's not just something I read, it's something I experienced.

Jill Ciment's new novel "The Tattoo Artist" is deceptively slender. Although it is only 207 pages long, it is stuffed with events, history, fascinating characters and important ideas. For these reasons, book groups will have a great time talking about this novel, especially the ending.
As someone who reads novels almost exclusively and who has read almost all of Ciment's work, I think she makes a leap with this book that is similar to the one made by novelist Andrea Barrett in her marvelous book "Ship Fever," which won the National Book Award. Ciment has pushed herself to a whole new level as a writer here. As usual, her prose is spare and taut, and that works very effectively in the service of her tale about a "primitive" society. I couldn't put this book down, and I can't stop thinking about it.

well, I'm an artist and I have tattoos so I was drawn to this book....BUT, believe me, it's so much more than that. Anyone who loves Andrea Barrett's writing or "The Life of Pi" will love this book. Ciment is a visual poet with the ability to create a believable world from unbelievable circumstances; her writing has the clarity of waking up very suddenly from a dream in the middle of the night. I absolutely loved this book...another one for my personal library.

I work in a library and this book wasn't checked out once in a year. So I decided to read it before it got relegated to the give away bin...well I'm glad I did! This was a riveting story. I'm not sure why but this book reminded me of Life of Pi, a favorite of mine. Maybe it's because of marooned theme. Tattoo artist was just different and full of imagery. I highly recommend it. I find that I'm still thinking about it after having finished it; a rare occurrence for me.

This book is nothing like I expected it to be based on the title. In fact, the title is pretty much the only thing I would criticize because the book has nothing to do with the tattoo artist of contemporary culture.

This book is extremely well written, engaging from the start, and will leave you wanting more when the novel ends. I was impressed by the way Ciment weaves philosophical ideas into the character development, making this a deep and thoughtful story that will touch you in many ways. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who's interested.

The Tattoo Artist took my breath away. The boldness and originality of the concept combined with the resplendent prose catapulted this book into one of my all-time contemporary favorites.

Sara, the protagonist, is the daughter of Jewish immigrants who falls under the spell of Philip Ehrenreich, a would-be artist. Ciment writes, "Philip was bewitched by art. He was so enamored of it that not to contribute to its creation was a betrayal of all he believed. Yet every time he opened his mouth to join in song, a hen's chortle or a donkey's bray came out, and he felt like a mortal punished by the gods." The muse evades him, but it does sing to Sara, who becomes a minor artist celebrity in her own right.

When the depression hits, Sara and Philip find themselves near bankrupt. A shadowy millionaire agrees to bankroll their travels to the South Sea -- a fictional island called Ta-un-ou -- to buy some unusual masks for his collection, and the couple grab the opportunity. When the couple is not retrieved as planned, they go through all the stages of grief -- denial, depression, anger, and finally, a never-before-experienced serenity. On two occasions, they inadvertently and carelessly destroy the careful fabric of the island; but they gradually give themselves over to it.

It is only on the island that Sara learns the true meaning of art. Her "ever changing, forever decaying" canvas is her own skin. Ciment writes, "The location of each vignette is determined by the body, and how much pain a particular limb or bone or muscle can withstand, and how much agony, or pleasure, a particular event caused the subject." Tattooing for Sara (and the island) transcends art; it is truly a history and remembrance of life. It is the soul, worn inside out.

The theme explored here -- immortality and connection through art -- is spellbinding. I give this book one of my highest recommendations.

Exquisite writing that reminded me of Fugitive Pieces. I wish I could have read it in one sitting because it is consuming and transporting. As other reviewers mentioned, Ciment presents a unique vision in this novel. Not so much an exploration of the themes of art, home, cultural dislocation, but a dream of them. Hard to imagine being unmoved.

What is home? What is culture? How adaptable are we - at what point can we no longer adapt? What is beauty and what is art - imagine a beach full of living drawings, standing side by side in welcome.

I love how the cover of this book is sparse as opposed to the story which filled my mind with amazing images - images that moved and a still life of moments to be remembered,pain, sorrow, joy and tenderness.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this is a book that will stay with the reader for a long time.

This book was chosen for my book club, and I am so glad I read this, as otherwise I may not have known about this beautiful work of art. This was such a different story, and one I was totally drawn into. It teeters between the old world and new world. I strongly recommend it.

mild spoiler alert.

A short novel that follows the whole adult life of one woman. A socialist avant garde artist meets her dilettante husband in New York. Eventually, they go to a remote Pacific Island to barter with the natives for their art, but get into trouble there with the natives, who are all tattooed head to toe. Eventually, WWII begins, and the woman artist is stranded there and goes native, using her artistic skills to become a solid citizen there and desired tattoo artist. Eventually, Life Magazine finds her and brings her back to New York, where the modern world seems very strange to her and she, tattooed from head to foot seems very strange to them. Well-written and engaging, with its interesting setting. A year after reading it, I have vivid memories of the novel's events.