The Tattoo

by Chris McKinney and Chris McKinney

Book Overview

"A stunning family saga narrated from within the walls of Halawa Prison." --The New York Times "A book about 'the sins of the fathers' . . . A gritty, troubling book." --The Honolulu Advertiser "The... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1566473195
• ISBN13: 9781566473194
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Mutual Publishing
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.3" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Small world

The Tattoo is certainly a work of fiction, which takes liberties with reality (composite characters built from several real people, scenes exaggerated and dramatized for effect), but it is based on real people and their attitudes about life, and captures a genuine flavor of hawaii that strikes a resounding chord. I used to spend new year's with the family the story is based on, both in kaneohe and wahiawa, so I can't pretend to be unbiased in my affection for the characterizations of these people that I knew from my childhood, but I think in spite of the fact I was familiar with the "back-story" it was a novel that stood well on it's own.For all the press and attention hawaii gets for hula skirts, ukuleles and luaus, it's refreshing to have a "authentic" look at local life and culture. There are real people behind the tourist photos, and real lives that don't fit the typical image of hawaii. Although some of the other reviewers found the tale a bit depressing, I must say that in the end I found more hope than tragedy in this cautionary tale.

Powerful Read

I was fortunate enough to have Chris in a class or two of mine at the University of Hawai`i. When I saw he had pusblished The Tattoo, I took no time to snatch it up. Growing up in Hawai`i and having a couple of friends who work in the prison system, I know this book rings true to life in the islands in a big way.Chris' writing style is highly artistic, painting vivid pictures of his characters, the areas of O`ahu, and the prison cell. The Tattoo is a must-read for anyone, and I know for a fact that the prison guards at OCCC have been telling each other they all HAVE to read this book!

Hawaii born and raised

This book was right on the money. Being born and raised in Hawaii, i know where this character Ken is coming from. This book just seemed all to real to me. The real Hawaii, which we kama'aina people see everyday. For anyone out there who wants to see how it really is growing up in Hawaii with a "local" family, this book is a must.

great book

Being local japanese born and raised in country, the main character Ken is eerily similar to my life. Not being able to relate to the stereotype mentioned in the beginning of the book, I felt as though my life experiences was being described through the narration of Ken's story. As for Mapuana's review, she is entitled to her opinion, but I am an example of someone who has been in jail and can read college level books. This is a piece of true Hawaii, the dark side, how noone wants to revel in it because it is not associated with the word paradise, and where atleast one person can say they have lived in the shoes of Ken Hideyoshi.

Easy read

This is an easy read, although the character does ramble on (like the author at some points). I found the book particularly interesting because I live in Hawaii, which is where the story is based. The story begins with a mute haole, or white person, named Cal who is in Halawa (Halava) prison, serving time for killing his wife. He meets Ken, who tells him the story of his tattoos. Although, it maybe a little difficult to understand for those who have never lived in Hawaii and don't know our slang, or our stereotypical humour, it rings more true than any other local-based boks out there.