Tales of the Tattooed: An Anthology of Ink

(Paperback)

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Description

The excruciating beauty, exoticism, and mystery of tattoos is laid bare in this new collection of 12 stories ranging from the 1880s to 1940s

Uncovering the history of the tattoo in classic fiction for the first time, this original selection depicts the tattoo as a catalyst for scandal in society, as a symbol for an unknowable supernatural force, and as transcendent living art merging the spirits of a tattooer and his or her living canvas.

Featuring previously hidden works from the pages of rare literary magazines such as "The Starfish Tattoo" alongside such classics of the genre as Tanizaki's "The Tattooer" and Saki's "The Background," this exploration of the tattoo in fiction is guaranteed to leave an indelible impression.

Reviews

"In this remarkable anthology, Miller brings together 13 classic and forgotten tales centered around tattooing, all written between 1882 and 1952 and offering readers a glimpse into the superstitions and supernatural forces associated with the art of body modification. . . . Ink enthusiasts should snap this up." --Publishers Weekly

Author Bio

John Miller is Senior Lecturer in Nineteenth-Century Literature at the University of Sheffield, and specializes in the tattoo in literature. The front cover features an original illustration by tattoo artist Luca Ortis.