Dorothy Parker's Elbow: Tattoos on Writers, Writers on Tattoos (Paperback)

~ (Author), Cheryl Dumesnil (Author) "It was a warm afternoon in early September when I first met the Illustrated Man..." (more)
Key Phrases: felt gag, tattoo machine, tattooed people, Sarah Ruth, Electric Ink, Hanky Panky (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Previously considered the domain of bikers and a rite of passage in the army, tattoos have crawled out of society's fringes and onto the ankles of starlets and the biceps of bankers. While still risque enough to raise a mother-in-law's eyebrow, tattoos have come to be one of the most popular forms of personal expression. DOROTHY PARKER'S ELBOW brings together some of the most erotic, humorous, and vivid fiction, essays, and poetry that explore the mysterious fascination and the intensity of emotion attached to the act of being tattooed. Readers will join great writers, including Flannery O'Connor, Rick Moody, Elizabeth McCracken, Sylvia Plath, and more in celebrating the tattoo experience in all of its rebellious glory.

About the Author

Kim Addonizio and Cheryl Dumesnil both reside in California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446679046
• ISBN-13: 978-0446679046
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #326,597 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars think about tattoos instead of viewing them this time, November 15, 2002

By	Rae Schwarz "post-modern Renaissance woman" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

Most tattoo books are collections of full-color images and body shots, exploring how individuals interpret what it is to be tattooed. This book has these elements, but no pictures for a change. Edited by Kim Addonizio and Cheryl Dumesnil, both tattooed, this is a written depiction of tattooing. The collection includes fiction, personal memoirs, poetry and anecdotes on the physical experience and lifestyle choice to have skin art. The title comes from the historical fact that writer Dorothy Parker had a star permanently inked on one arm.

The excerpt from Bradbury's "The Illustrated Man" will be remembered as familiar and formative to many tattoo fans. Artists write about what it was like to learn to tattoo and related various ink-related adventures with a wide array of wild customers. Concentration camp survior Paul Steinberg describes his involuntary tattoo experience. Mastectomy survior Deena Metzger's tattoo falls at the other end of the ink spectrum as part of her chosen healing process. There are tales of joy, sorrow, smart choices, drunken moments, good ink and bad.

The short lengths of the pieces makes reading this on transit or during those short breaks during the day easy, and the subject matter is a great distraction from the mundane. A definite book for the collection of those who write about tattooing, or are looking for some more historical perspective.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Writing, January 7, 2003

By A Customer

Even if you are not a fan of, or have any tattoos, you cannot help immersing yourself in the assembled writings. The editors have done a great job. I found it hard to put this one down. Fascinating subject, fascinating writing. If you appreciate great writing, you'll love this book. You may even decide to go out and get your own tattoo.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a rich collection for writers & body art addicts alike, October 25, 2003

By	Jennifer DePrima (Manchester, NH United States) - See all my reviews

I bought this while on vacation in San Francisco and read the entire thing on the plane back to New England. A great variety of short stories, essays, and poetry, this collection brings together a lot of powerful pieces of writing. Tattoos are examined from many different perspectives, ranging from a tool of intimidation and punishment to something beautiful and otherworldly. Parts made my skin prickle and my hair stand on end, bracing for the touch of the needle. I'd been thinking about getting a new one. Reading this solidified that decision.

My favorites: Murguia's "A Toda Maquina" & Orlowsky's "Tattoo Thoughts"