Review of Backcomb & Tattoo
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Freda Ramirez
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Review of Backcomb & Tattoo
[Following is a volunteer review of "Backcomb & Tattoo" by Shea R Embry.]
Backcomb and Tattoo by Shea R Embry is such a lovely contradiction in that it is a story about death, which might seem macabre, but intricately woven in between; it is also about life, love and hope! It is a gripping story from the first page as the characters experience life-changing first meetings, ritualistic interactions with friends and family, intertwined with the sharing of wonderful food and libations. Moreover, they all connect with each other over love, loss, tears, laughter and many secrets.
This novel starts off on a melancholic note as the main protagonist, Rachael, the creative soul, she of the “tattoo-covered body” (page 3), is introduced. She struggles to deal with the emotional and physical toll of her mother’s cancer diagnosis and a husband who is not always there to support her. It is in such a dire state that Aunt Mary Opal, with her perennial “backcomb” and “full of life and laughter” (page 53), swoops into Rachael’s life to provide that breath of fresh air, as joyous as her celebratory dance. From there, it is a roller-coaster ride as we meet the other protagonists; Jesi, the fiery, free-spirited Sicilian, and the empathetic Nicole, inadvertently rescued from the precipice of death. Every character comes upon Death in some way: Rachael with her mother, Jesi with her grandmother Noni and brother Antony and Aunt Mary Opal confronting her own mortality. The author shared that death can come in many forms, through illness as with Rachael’s mother, naturally with age as with grandmother Noni, and “ending life while still having dignity” (page 104) as with Mary Opal. The topic of suicide is so sensitive and yet was handled with such grace by the writer. Through these characters, she shared why such ideation would occur to an individual and why it does not necessarily need to be the final solution as keenly demonstrated through Nicole, for there is always hope. Shea R Embry, covers weighty topics, but she does so quite delicately and with an element of pathos and never with sensationalism, which is quite commendable.
Noteworthy as well is that this novel is quite open as it pertains to sexuality and emphasizes that love is for everyone, whether it is between men and women, men and men, women and women or a mix between those. Consequently, this story is for those who are tolerant as it relates to sexuality and to colorful language. This is not for the religious and strait-laced types of people.
Also, this was a wonderfully written and well edited novel and there were very few grammatical errors. Two examples of these are: “Rachael knew that with Teri’s cooking, there would no shortage of flavor and spices.” (page 6) and; “Aunt Mary Opal called a cab with enough time to arrive at the just as it opened.” (page 248)
Hence, I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Backcomb and Tattoo is a very adult-themed novel and, as such, can be read by any grown person. However, its content is not for everyone. On a final note, I would also recommend that there be a warning placed for those battling with mental health issues and suicidal ideation and where they can seek assistance. But for those willing to explore its pages, it is ultimately a story of love, loss, happiness, the value of female friendships, creating one’s own family and reminding us to just have fun, “as it’s the best thing to have.” (page 270)
******
Backcomb & Tattoo
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Backcomb and Tattoo by Shea R Embry is such a lovely contradiction in that it is a story about death, which might seem macabre, but intricately woven in between; it is also about life, love and hope! It is a gripping story from the first page as the characters experience life-changing first meetings, ritualistic interactions with friends and family, intertwined with the sharing of wonderful food and libations. Moreover, they all connect with each other over love, loss, tears, laughter and many secrets.
This novel starts off on a melancholic note as the main protagonist, Rachael, the creative soul, she of the “tattoo-covered body” (page 3), is introduced. She struggles to deal with the emotional and physical toll of her mother’s cancer diagnosis and a husband who is not always there to support her. It is in such a dire state that Aunt Mary Opal, with her perennial “backcomb” and “full of life and laughter” (page 53), swoops into Rachael’s life to provide that breath of fresh air, as joyous as her celebratory dance. From there, it is a roller-coaster ride as we meet the other protagonists; Jesi, the fiery, free-spirited Sicilian, and the empathetic Nicole, inadvertently rescued from the precipice of death. Every character comes upon Death in some way: Rachael with her mother, Jesi with her grandmother Noni and brother Antony and Aunt Mary Opal confronting her own mortality. The author shared that death can come in many forms, through illness as with Rachael’s mother, naturally with age as with grandmother Noni, and “ending life while still having dignity” (page 104) as with Mary Opal. The topic of suicide is so sensitive and yet was handled with such grace by the writer. Through these characters, she shared why such ideation would occur to an individual and why it does not necessarily need to be the final solution as keenly demonstrated through Nicole, for there is always hope. Shea R Embry, covers weighty topics, but she does so quite delicately and with an element of pathos and never with sensationalism, which is quite commendable.
Noteworthy as well is that this novel is quite open as it pertains to sexuality and emphasizes that love is for everyone, whether it is between men and women, men and men, women and women or a mix between those. Consequently, this story is for those who are tolerant as it relates to sexuality and to colorful language. This is not for the religious and strait-laced types of people.
Also, this was a wonderfully written and well edited novel and there were very few grammatical errors. Two examples of these are: “Rachael knew that with Teri’s cooking, there would no shortage of flavor and spices.” (page 6) and; “Aunt Mary Opal called a cab with enough time to arrive at the just as it opened.” (page 248)
Hence, I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Backcomb and Tattoo is a very adult-themed novel and, as such, can be read by any grown person. However, its content is not for everyone. On a final note, I would also recommend that there be a warning placed for those battling with mental health issues and suicidal ideation and where they can seek assistance. But for those willing to explore its pages, it is ultimately a story of love, loss, happiness, the value of female friendships, creating one’s own family and reminding us to just have fun, “as it’s the best thing to have.” (page 270)
******
Backcomb & Tattoo
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Elephant Tooth of '95 by Rana Baydoun
