Written on the Body: The Tattoo in European and American History : Book Review

In Jane Caplan's novel, Written on the Body, readers are taken on a profound journey through the realms of love, desire, and identity. The story revolves around an unnamed narrator, whose gender remains unspecified, as they reflect on their relationships and encounters with various individuals. With its lyrical prose and vivid descriptions, Caplan delves into the intricate nature of human connections, as well as the fragility and transience of our physical bodies.

At the core of the narrative is the narrator's passionate affair with a married woman named Louise. Their love is marked by intensity, yet concealed in secrecy and filled with longing. Caplan brilliantly captures the elusive nature of desire and the overwhelming emotions that accompany forbidden love. Through the narrator's poetic descriptions, readers are transported into the heart of their relationship, painting a visceral picture of their unique bond.

Furthermore, the book explores the theme of loss and impermanence. The narrator wrestles with the fleeting nature of relationships, acknowledging that even the deepest connections can fade away. Caplan's lyrical style beautifully captures the bittersweet nostalgia and yearning that arise as time passes.

In addition, Written on the Body serves as a meditation on the concept of identity. By intentionally leaving the narrator's gender undefined, Caplan challenges traditional notions of self and compels readers to examine the influence of our physical bodies on shaping who we are. The novel explores the fluidity of identity and the ways in which it can evolve and transform.

Overall, Written on the Body is a beautifully crafted novel that delves into the complexities of love, desire, and identity. Caplan's poetic prose and thought-provoking themes create an enchanting reading experience that lingers in the mind long after the book is finished.

What are readers saying?

Jane Caplan's novel "Written on the Body" has elicited a variety of reactions from readers. Some have praised the book for its beautiful and captivating prose, celebrating the author's ability to evoke emotions and create vivid imagery. These readers found themselves deeply moved by the protagonist's exploration of love, desire, and complex themes such as gender and identity.

On the other hand, there are those who found the book to be overly pretentious and difficult to follow. They criticized the heavy use of metaphors and poetic language, claiming that it overshadowed the actual plot and made it challenging to connect with the characters. Some readers felt that the book lacked substance, leaving them disconnected and struggling to stay engaged.

A notable aspect of the book that drew attention is the non-gendered narrator, which added an interesting layer to the story. Many readers applauded the author's exploration of gender and appreciated the representation of non-binary individuals. However, others found it challenging to fully understand and relate to the protagonist due to this narrative choice, ultimately impacting their enjoyment of the book.

In addition, several readers mentioned that they found the pacing of the book to be slow, resulting in occasional loss of interest. They felt that the story lacked a clear direction and struggled to maintain momentum. Despite this, some readers actually enjoyed the slower pace as it allowed for deeper introspection and reflection on the themes presented in the narrative.

In summary, Jane Caplan's "Written on the Body" has received a range of responses from readers. While some were enthralled by the poetic prose and exploration of complex themes, others found the book to be pretentious and inaccessible. The non-gendered narration and slower pacing were points of interest for some, while others felt that these elements hindered their enjoyment of the story.

WrittenOnTheBody BookLovers MustRead