THE THINGS I CAME HERE WITH

As revealed in this memoir, Chris MacDonald experienced a difficult childhood in southern Ontario before channeling his energy and passions into a successful career as a tattoo artist, studio owner, musician in Toronto, and now writer. The gritty baritone of Max Lloyd-Jones is a comfortable fit with the author's style, which is honest and compassionate without being mawkish. Lloyd-Jones even manages to pronounce all the place names correctly, adding a stamp of authenticity. The editors made the unusual decision to verbally describe photos and illustrations that appear in the printed book, and it works. The descriptions are infrequent enough not to be a distraction, and they add appropriate texture to a vivid memoir that is deeply tied to visual art. D.B. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2023]