Words That Last: Literary Tattoos
The Daily Telegraph alerted us (although we can't remember how we got to the Telegraph article in the first place) to Contrariwise, a blog that collects photos of literary and other wordy tattoos (is it new, or am I just too stupid to figure out how to see the archives?). Vonnegut and the Little Prince appear to be especially popular, and I'm sure the wowser below is not the only Fight Club tattoo walking around out there. (Meanwhile, I can't pass up the opportunity to link yet again to one of my favorite photos ever taken with my camera, of a grand tattoo of one of America's finest writers.)
I love words, but man, some of those giant paragraphs are overwhelming. I've never been much of a tattoo man (I don't even want to tie my identity to something long enough to put a bumper sticker on my car, much less write something forever on my body), but I must admit the Harriet the Spy is pretty sharp. Is there any bit of book that I would be willing to commit to putting on my skin for the rest of my life? My first thought was, "No way," but then I thought I could stick by "Up, and to Clayton!" pretty much for eternity. (First to spot the reference gets, well, my congratulations, triple if no Google was involved.) Or maybe Sam or Mr. Bikferd from Who Needs Donuts?.
Are there any words you'd be willing to wear? --Tom
P.S. Juliet, my colleague who passed this along to me, thought it had come from our friends at Slog, but then she couldn't find it there. But, weirdly, while I was writing my post, their books editor, Paul Constant, was writing his own post about lit tats, featuring a different blog (although some of the same photos). I feel that my mind is not my own...
Fais que ton reve soit plus long que la nuit on July 23, 2008 at 04:08 PM
I had this done 2 years ago (see link)
Grantaire of JC on July 23, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Too many choices from the hundreds of books I've read. I might pick the quote from Dune. The lines from the Litany of Fear from the O.C. bible. You know, "I will not fear. Fear is the mind killer etc,. It would be cool on my chest so that I would see it every day in the mirror. An excellent reminder to be fearless in all things. Then again there are some beautiful lines from Tolkien that I would use. Of course if I'm using Tolkien, I would convert the lines to Elvish first.
Affiliate Promotion on March 19, 2009 at 03:07 AM
I got a similar tatto on the neck, maybe i can send you some pictures let me know.
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Whipper on September 05, 2009 at 07:57 PM
I got a quote from Jurassic Park tattooed
gem on September 15, 2009 at 12:59 PM
i have a verse from a song on my ribs for my dad who passed away xmas 2004 after a very short battle with cancer "even though you're so close to me, you're still so distant and i can't bring you back, the sound of your voice painted on my memories, even if you're not with me, i'm with you 08.10.52 - 25.12.04" from Linkin Park - With You and i am very happy with it :)
Generic vs Brand Name on November 02, 2009 at 07:52 AM
Great post about Literary Tattoos I want a tattoo in my hand but I am not sure what picture do you think that is better.
Alessandro on December 11, 2009 at 05:56 AM
I admire people that put up with that much pain..cause the guy with ton of text tatoo..(2nd pic) must have had a really painful experience..anyway I am not too sure what words would I put ..I'd rather put a branch of acacia on me I guess(torns and everything)..more specifically on my forearm.
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