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.

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.