3 thoughts on “The Tattoo by Michael Clark

  1. Great. Not saying that just to be polite. I’ve tried to put real or imaginary lives on paper but it’s come out flat, or ridiculous.

    And folks wonder why I keep losing friends:

    If Shanika were to read this to a live audience, “Her (my) stepdad” would be a perfect choked-voice ending. But on the page or on the monitor seems–seems–just two words extra. Can’t give you any “How to Write Stuff”
    reason. . . Still Great.

  2. Michael Clark, this is one of the best contemporary short stories I’ve read in a very long time. Your story evokes so much with a few simple, but well-chosen, words. Thank you.

    Frank, I couldn’t disagree with you more. In those two words–“her stepdad”–the author sums up Shanika’s deep emotional shift; amazingly, he does it precisely, too.

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