Seven Tattoos: A Memoir in the Flesh

7 tattoos is a true rarity in the world of literature: An enjoyable and fascinating autobiography about someone most of us have never heard of. Trachtenberg uses the 7 tattoos on his body, the universal symbol of dysfunction, as a road-map into his consciousness and experiences. What emerges is not a self-indulgent man without redeeming qualities as someone else asserted, but a portrait of humanity as a whole, its ugliness and selfishness explored to the fullest. To call Trachtenberg unlikable is to call humanity unlikable. What he does so successfully is shine the light on his own life, which in turn shines it on our own. And if for no other reason than that, this is one of the most brilliant self-exporations to come along in years.

I bought this book because I had read about its premise in a magazine, I forget which. I thought ,"Hey, cool, a memoir centered around the acquisition of tattoos." Since I acquired my tattoos at very specific times in my life, I was curious about someone else's tattoo reasoning.This book was so much more than I expected. I felt as if the author were lying naked for everyone to see--not only his tattoos, but his soul. His words were honest, sad, funny, and touching. After reading this book, I no longer felt alone in the world; I felt as if someone finally admitted to the same feelings I felt guilty about for so long.This book really is one man's journey to find a self he can live with, a self that emerges triumphant, with 7 beautiful scars to boot.

I took some time in reading the early chapters of 7 Tattoos because Trachtenberg doesn't hook you right away. Instead he teases you with a novel method of dividing his life. The book seems to be Trachtenberg's attempt at catharsis made public for all to view. One is enticed to read more about the seamy world in which he once lived and I must admit I was interested in the book at first due to my own tattoo and a fascination with life on the edge of control. Trachtenberg certainly lived it and you get a few exciting details. However the book is not about tattoos,drugs, sex, or even the wild life. Instead it is about the introspective suffering and doubt with which we all struggle. Indiviuality is an odd thing, we seek and desire it, yet even as we seek we attain it. 7 Tattoos is more about the desire that we all have to believe that our most painful emotions are out of the ordinary; he tries to convince us that his pain is the result of deep trauma when in actuality he suffers from the pain we all share, that of being alone no matter how many friends we have. He captures wonderfully the agony which we all put ourselves through in trying to rectify our own individuality with that of those around us. A very good read, if you give it time.

In his memoir of a life lived acutely, author Peter Trachtenberg reveals a storytelling gift whose abilty to reveal self is matched by a greater awareness of the absurd and the holy.

Upon first purchasing this book, I was expecting it to enlighten me on the intricacies of tattooing. Although it didn't do this, the memoirs are some of the best I have ever read. If you are interested in tattoos -- and even if you're not, this book is a must read. It is a very touching a frank overview of a mans life which happened to involve tattoos as a form of expression. A must read for everyone!