QotD: Literary Tattoos

Inspired by the Telegraph, John Stoehr believes a trend for literary tattoos is underway.

Some of them, like this one, a long passage from Chuck Palahniuk's novel Fight Club, are very impressive — and they suggest a kind of depth of character, a kind of cultural sensibility, that one doesn't normally associate with those who want to adorn their bodies with indelible ink.

Which says more about his preconceptions than it does about ink enthusiasts. As for me, the letters "John" and "3:16" tattooed across the knuckles are sufficient literary allusion to get the point across.

Nick Packwood, "Literary Tattoos", Ghost of a Flea, 2008-08-04