The Rose Tattoo . . . Not so Rosy

A book review by our dear friend Leo. This review appeared in our October/November 2011 issue and we thought you might enjoy reading Leo's perspective.

To me a book has to be incredibly strong at the beginning to hook you. It needs to contain a fantastic plot and cast of characters to reel you in and at the end you should have fished and caught the prize of a wonderful new experience! Now, having self-diagnosed A.D.D., if I'm not hooked in the first few chapters; I throw it back in and fish for another.

This is why The Rose Tattoo was such a disappointment. The beginning started well enough where we're introduced to the Del Rose family. Serafina Del Rose is the plays main character and matriarch of the Del Rose family. She has a daughter, Rosa, and a husband by the name of Rosario (whom is never seen), he even has a rose tattoo branded on his chest. Wow, someone's full of themselves. I’d like to take a minute here and inject my first bit of criticism about this book: the "rose" references. There were so many rose clichés I could have had allergies for a month. A rose by any other name would still have smelled much sweeter than this melodramatic, disaster. Harsh? Maybe, but the playwright could have been a little less redundant.

Serafina is a seamstress who works out of her home. She's a devoted wife who speaks so sweetly of her husband, I needed insulin to get through the first act. Now Serafina has always been a "few fries short of a happy meal," even going so far as accusing her neighbor of being a witch because she has "the evil eye." Yeah. . . likely. She even believes that after an intimate night spent with Rosario, his rose tattoo was burnt into her chest by contact, which magically disappears, so she can't reveal it to anyone. Which is how she became pregnant with the son she later miscarries. Rose tattoo plus psychotic Sicilian equals mis-carried baby? Err. . . what?

However, after her husband is killed after transporting drugs, she really flips her Sicilian lid. She goes into a deep depression, for 3 years she hermits herself in the house, desperately clinging to a marble urn and the memories of Rosario. She fears losing her beloved daughter to the point of locking her clothes in the closet and forbidding her from attending her own graduation. Rosa is so distraught over her mother’s shutting down, she attempts suicide. This only pushes Serafina to be even more protective of her daughter.

Soon, Serafina is confronted with a horrible truth: Her husband wasn't the man she thought he was. Her neighbors tell her that Rosario was a no-good cheating wop, who was having an affair with a younger attractive customer of Serafina's sewing shop. Serafina refuses to believes such lies. She constantly beseeches the virgin Mary statue in her living room for a sign that her Rosario was the faithful man she believed him to be.

After some time, Serafina finally lets Rosa leave the house. She brings home a boy to meet her mother. Serafina is very distrustful of this boy. He's a sailor, he has an earring, he barbecues cats. . . (just kidding about that last one.) Anyhow, she tells him he must respect her daughter and to bow before the virgin Mary, swear-ing that he will protect Rosa's honor. Well, respect is the last thing on these two very hormonal teenager's mind, but sure crazy lady, he'll comply.

Later on, a handsome truck driver, named Alvero, shows up. He and Serafina become great friends, he being a comfort in loneliness. They confide in each other and Alvero falls for Serafina immediately. They exchange so much Sicilian dialogue they should win an award for authenticity. But as for clarity, not so much. So much of the dialogue has to be inferred almost to the point where you tire of trying to decipher the emotions surrounding the words. I'm sure if I saw it live, there would be much less confusion. Anyone out there who can speak Sicilian, I have 20 pages I need translated. Kthxbai*.

Serafina decides that Alvero should spend the night, this is after she has a plate smashing, screaming tirade because he made a pass at her. Bi-polar much? I vote yes. When he comes back that night he has a surprise for Serafina. He has a rose tattooed across his chest. Serafina is shocked and thrilled because this has brought her sweet Rosario back to life. . . at least for a night.

Rosa is dropped off at home by her sailor boy. They talk about how they'll see each other tomorrow, before he has to go out on leave. They part. Rosa lays down on the couch and falls asleep. Later on a drunken Alvero comes out to get a drink. He lays down beside Rosa, soon she awakes and screams. Serafina runs out. Alvero swears that he thought it was Serafina, at that moment Serafina denies knowing him lying to Rosa. Rosa calls her mother’s bluff and leaves.

The next day a friend comes to see Serafina, they sit and talk. Serafina tells her friend how she believes she's pregnant with Alvero's baby because after their night together, she felt a burning sensation and saw the rose tattoo imprinted on her chest just like her night with Rosario. Whoa kids! Don't get a tattoo or you'll end up pregnant. No needles, no babies. I'm sure this is a perfect method of birth control.

With each page turn this play went from hopeful, to strange, to down right bizarre. Most of the characters are so unbelievable and melodramatic that I would actually laugh at how far-fetched it is. Serafina was incredibly archaic in her parenting, it was hard to connect her craziness to my craziness. Perhaps it's because I'm a 21 year old American girl and she's a middle-aged Sicilian woman? I vote that this is one of the worst plays I've ever read. From the over the top plot-jumping, to the yo-yo Sicilian/English exchange, and most of all Serafina's insanity, I was happy to see the end of this story. What a let down to find out that the same brilliant mind that brought you The Glass Menagerie and Streetcar Named Desire would peddle this same work. For shame Tennessee Williams. For shame!

*text slang for OK, thank you, goodbye 


Leo is an exuberant, funny and unique young woman with a love for everything theater. Her personality will surely win you over and leave you in fits of laughter. We have known her for a number of years after an encounter at a grocery store...she is always willing to talk to strangers. Perhaps too willing? :) We think you will agree her writing style is honest and engaging. Follow Leo on Twitter and be on the lookout for more of Leo's reviews and writings in the future!