The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris | Published September 4th 2018 by Harper | 262 Pages | Goodreads
✅ PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION
“In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover that he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a Tätowierer (the German word for tattooist), tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners.
Imprisoned for more than two and a half years, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism—but also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive.
One day in July 1942, Lale, prisoner 32407, comforts a trembling young woman waiting in line to have the number 34902 tattooed onto her arm. Her name is Gita, and in that first encounter, Lale vows to somehow survive the camp and marry her.
A vivid, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful re-creation of Lale Sokolov’s experiences as the man who tattooed the arms of thousands of prisoners with what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is also a testament to the endurance of love and humanity under the darkest possible conditions.”
✅ REVIEW
“The tattooing has taken only seconds, but Lale’s shock makes time stand still. He grasps his arm, staring at the number. How can someone do this to another human being? He wonders if for the rest of his life, be it short or long, he will be defined by this moment, this irregular number: 32407.”
This historical fiction novel is inspired by the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov. Lale, our main character, ended up on Auschwitz as the tattooist of the camp. Although I’ve described the book in a very short sentence, the story is significantly painful to read, but also full of hope.
It is told from the point of view of Lale, and narrates the horrors people endured on the camp, the activities needed to do to survive, as well as the love story that developed when Lale met Gita there.
It is a story of hope, survival, and endurance. The book was not as graphic as other novels I’ve read but it was still emotionally painful. I recommend it to readers of history and historical fiction novels.
✅ BOOK SOURCE AND FORMAT
Loan from Miami-Dade’s Library Overdrive, audiobook
Nice, succinct review. This is a book I’ve heard a lot about, so I’ve avoided it. Recent hype always works against me. But I have it tucked away for a few years down the road.
Great review Carol. I am almost to the top of the list for my audio copy from the library. How was the narration? Was it hard to listen to?
The narration was ok, a bit of a flat tone but maybe it was the tone of the book. Overall, good.
Thanks Carol.