Job Search Scrap Trading Books News Scholarship Website
The Tattooist of Auschwitz - Heather Morris

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

By Heather Morris

  • Release Date: 2018-09-04
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 5,473 Ratings

Description

#1 New York Times Bestseller and #1 International Bestseller • Now a Peacock Original Series starring Harvey Keitel and Melanie Lynskey

This beautiful, illuminating tale of hope and courage is based on the powerful true story of Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov—an unforgettable love story in the midst of atrocity.

“The Tattooist of Auschwitz is an extraordinary document, a story about the extremes of human behavior existing side by side: calculated brutality alongside impulsive and selfless acts of love. I find it hard to imagine anyone who would not be drawn in, confronted and moved. I would recommend it unreservedly to anyone, whether they’d read a hundred Holocaust stories or none.”—Graeme Simsion, internationally-bestselling author of The Rosie Project

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 over 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 an unforgettable work of historical fiction and a testament to the endurance of love and humanity under the darkest possible conditions.

Reviews

  • A Haunting Love Story

    4
    By BenB1494
    A deeply moving and haunting story about love and survival in the darkest of places. What stayed with me most was how small acts of kindness became powerful forms of resistance. The writing is simple and direct, which makes Lale and Gita’s relationship feel even more real and intimate. It’s not just a Holocaust story — it’s a reminder that even in a world built to destroy humanity, people still chose compassion, courage, and love. Difficult to read at times, but impossible to forget.
  • Very entertaining and factual. Was always excited to find out what happened next.

    5
    By W5QDF
    If you want to know more this book gives you insight but doesn’t really deal with the true horrors
  • Review

    4
    By kaylamaydesaray
    The book does go into great detail about Lale life and experiences. The only thing I wish that was more of was the ending of the book But otherwise I loved it and i couldn’t put it down
  • A must read

    5
    By Bacswifey
    A most elegantly written tale filled with anguish, love and gratitude.
  • The Tattoist of Auschwitz

    5
    By Ms. English Teacher
    Wow and wow again. How the world could let this happen is so sad. So sad the innocents, the talented, the good people who were terrified and brutally murdered. This type story should be read and discussed more (and by younger) people so they know & understand how to grow up more loving, less militant, more joined to others in this world. A well-told story by a survivor, a man with a special will to live and to let others know what actually happened in those years. A must read!
  • Great book

    5
    By Whim1954
    Hard to read at times, but this is real, mostly true and the world seems to have forgotten.
  • The Tattooist of Auschwitz

    5
    By Bev teacher
    A very compelling, true story that shows the determination of people to overcome the greatest of atrocities..
  • Just.. WOW

    5
    By rachknock
    Moving….inspiring… I’ve always been fascinated with the time period of WW2, and especially the Holocaust. I’ve read plenty of fiction and non-fiction on the subject. I’m not sure how a book can so beautifully intertwine fiction and reality. A true love story but a story of unwavering hope during so much uncertainly. I laughed and cried. May this book be another way to never forget history, but to also be inspired by it.
  • Learned and loved

    5
    By Earring Master 3-D
    Throughout this book I learned so much about Auschwitz and the people living there. But, unlike other books, The Tattooist Of Auschwitz excited and entertained me throughout Lales amazing journey.
  • I loved it

    5
    By nataharp
    This book touched my soul. I couldn’t put it down. I recommend it to everyone. The follow up book is just as good.

Comments