One of the most unforgettable experiences for an author is when a reader attends your literary event and tells you how deeply they have loved a novel you've written, and then, with a shy smile, reveals a tattoo on their arm—one that, to your astonishment, features a line from your work.
If anything could persuade me to have a tattoo, this piece has come very close! However, being 78 and my skin isn't the ideal suface for a tattoo artist to work on - far too thin and wrinkly! I have loved your work since it was recommended to me by my cousin who has the wonderful 'ReadingLasses' in Wigtown. Your latest 'There are Rivers in the Sky' is one that I just couldn't put down, yet didn't want it to finish. I shall read it again and again.
I finished the book yesterday. Ending with a sigh and a yearning for a tattoo. This Substack gift this morning is like pancakes before breakfast as I wake up. Divine. You are so good and I am profoundly grateful to live in a world informed by your vision
Nobody has yet tattooed my words on their bodies, but after I’d read the opening of my first novel, Playground, to a bunch of schoolchildren at the start of a book tour, they came up to me at the end and said’We did it like you said, sir.’ They had locked an overbearing teacher in a cupboard, as my fictional kids did. I felt both proud and guilty at this tiny demonstration of how writing can move people to action- which is also a heavy responsibility.
Wow, so moving... Body art, the body speaking, body politics... I love the wise, elder women using their milk & ash. I have a fantastic tattoo too of my animal spirits... In reality I'm too scared to do it... Henna would be great, such a wonderful body art by women too . Loving the book. Lots of tattoo memorable poetic lines, I'm noting! 😍 🤩😍
Sometimes, writers forget or indeed are unaware the impact of their words. That people carry with them like a Talisman. Often something they turn to in times of joy as well as trouble. The tattoos do not surprise incredibly moving indeed.
Lovely post Elif and thank you. I’m old now and from a generation who didn’t get tattoos but l have to admit since There are Rivers in the Sky l have yearned for the tattoo for water just on the inside of my wrist!
As the holidays are a difficult time for me … I’ve been waiting to read your latest novel, dear Elif Shafak, during the winter holidays and I’m sure it will brighten up my days and give me ideas for my next tattoos 🥰🤩
Authors bring so much meaning and purpose to people's lives, helping them to articulate things they feel but don't know how to express even to themselves. This form of thanks is so amazing. You are blessed, Elif.
Loved this so much. You're right. Most people don't understand the love that bonds a reader to a book they love. After reading The Island of Missing Trees I bought two fig trees for my home :)
Elif have you watched the Turkish-language Netflix series The Gift? It is where I saw for the first time the tattoos on the foreheads of women healers, the Yazidi women healers. It's a fabulous series if you haven't seen it. Another Self is also Turkish and incredibly poignant for those of us healing our ancestral wounds. I think you'll love both.
I've been waiting to have my first tattoo when I finish and publish my memoir because I want it to be a symbol of coming full circle, so far 5 decades of journeying, a symbol of not just transformation but self-actualisation, of becoming the person I deleted to survive. My oldest son who carries so much of the ancestral trauma I am desperately trying to heal, has recently said he wants to be a tattoo artist and is working on his artwork so I'm holding out for him to design my first tattoo and then tattoo it on my body. It feels like a ritual to me, this act from son to mother, as I leave my legacy to my children, my story, and the stories of their ancestors as they continue journeying, healing, and creating...
If anything could persuade me to have a tattoo, this piece has come very close! However, being 78 and my skin isn't the ideal suface for a tattoo artist to work on - far too thin and wrinkly! I have loved your work since it was recommended to me by my cousin who has the wonderful 'ReadingLasses' in Wigtown. Your latest 'There are Rivers in the Sky' is one that I just couldn't put down, yet didn't want it to finish. I shall read it again and again.
I concur. Perhaps ageing skin is its own tatoo....
I finished the book yesterday. Ending with a sigh and a yearning for a tattoo. This Substack gift this morning is like pancakes before breakfast as I wake up. Divine. You are so good and I am profoundly grateful to live in a world informed by your vision
What a heart-felt message Lola which makes me start reading the book immediately even more, following Elif's wonderful post.
Nobody has yet tattooed my words on their bodies, but after I’d read the opening of my first novel, Playground, to a bunch of schoolchildren at the start of a book tour, they came up to me at the end and said’We did it like you said, sir.’ They had locked an overbearing teacher in a cupboard, as my fictional kids did. I felt both proud and guilty at this tiny demonstration of how writing can move people to action- which is also a heavy responsibility.
It’s what’s carried along with the words that stains the soul ❤️
Wow, so moving... Body art, the body speaking, body politics... I love the wise, elder women using their milk & ash. I have a fantastic tattoo too of my animal spirits... In reality I'm too scared to do it... Henna would be great, such a wonderful body art by women too . Loving the book. Lots of tattoo memorable poetic lines, I'm noting! 😍 🤩😍
Tribute tattoos are usually for bands, and I've never heard of them for living authors' works. Your last novel is tattooed on my heart. 💙🕊️🦋
Sometimes, writers forget or indeed are unaware the impact of their words. That people carry with them like a Talisman. Often something they turn to in times of joy as well as trouble. The tattoos do not surprise incredibly moving indeed.
Lovely post Elif and thank you. I’m old now and from a generation who didn’t get tattoos but l have to admit since There are Rivers in the Sky l have yearned for the tattoo for water just on the inside of my wrist!
As the holidays are a difficult time for me … I’ve been waiting to read your latest novel, dear Elif Shafak, during the winter holidays and I’m sure it will brighten up my days and give me ideas for my next tattoos 🥰🤩
Teşekkürler Elif Hanım, iyiki varsınız 🧿💫
To have one's writing tattooed on the body of another is the biggest writer flex ever. I salute you for this achievements.
Authors bring so much meaning and purpose to people's lives, helping them to articulate things they feel but don't know how to express even to themselves. This form of thanks is so amazing. You are blessed, Elif.
Loved this so much. You're right. Most people don't understand the love that bonds a reader to a book they love. After reading The Island of Missing Trees I bought two fig trees for my home :)
I am Iranian turk, l came to istanbul to study but I don’t feel loneliness because of your books and I am very excited to read your latest work
Teşekkürler 🙏💧🩵
Brilliant! I almost got a tattoo... thank you, Elif, for sharing your experiences and your knowledge with us.
Elif have you watched the Turkish-language Netflix series The Gift? It is where I saw for the first time the tattoos on the foreheads of women healers, the Yazidi women healers. It's a fabulous series if you haven't seen it. Another Self is also Turkish and incredibly poignant for those of us healing our ancestral wounds. I think you'll love both.
I've been waiting to have my first tattoo when I finish and publish my memoir because I want it to be a symbol of coming full circle, so far 5 decades of journeying, a symbol of not just transformation but self-actualisation, of becoming the person I deleted to survive. My oldest son who carries so much of the ancestral trauma I am desperately trying to heal, has recently said he wants to be a tattoo artist and is working on his artwork so I'm holding out for him to design my first tattoo and then tattoo it on my body. It feels like a ritual to me, this act from son to mother, as I leave my legacy to my children, my story, and the stories of their ancestors as they continue journeying, healing, and creating...