Ces wants to be a tattoo artist to create something beautiful; leave a permanent mark, something meaningful. But at the moment, she is simply attempting to survive without falling apart.
Meditating on her abuse-filled past, Ces tries to maintain her body and soul in a wearisome world filled with work, housework, homework and a mother who remains in bed half the time, resenting her for being a bigger victim.
Needlework is a powerful book that deals with difficult subject matter. At points it is painful and sad– a bit like getting a tattoo– brutal, yet beautiful. Ces’ thoughts and opinions about tattoos break up the narration of her tale to offer an insight into her deeper thoughts on the matter.
I think that everyone should read this book at some point as it has taught me a lot about victimisation and how people do not want that to be their defining feature. As well as how, despite the most difficult circumstances, it is possible to pull through and move on.
- Find out more about the book on the author’s website.
