The #1 International Bestseller & New York Times Bestseller
This beautiful, illuminating tale of hope and courage is based on interviews that were conducted with 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 … 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 also a testament to the endurance of love and humanity under the darkest possible conditions.
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Wonderful book and oh how the human spirit can endure so much and come back incredibly strong.
Sad subject matter but a very impelling story.
I have read quite a few books about the Holocaust and this one showed another viewpoint I hadn’t read yet. The characters are inspirational and thought-provoking. I am glad Lale made it a point to talk with a writer before he passed away. If you like books about WWII and the Holocaust this is a must read.
The book is very well written, engaging and easy to read. Based on historical events the narrative encapsulates the tragic story of Auschwitz and tells the true story of horror. The life of Lale and the hope he strives to have even through most difficult times promises the reader a happy ending. Will it be happy? Read on to find out. Well deserved the praise and ’The Best Selling’ title.
Have suggested it to others!
Despite what might be an off-putting title to some people, this should be a MUST READ book for at least two reasons. First, it is a different, unique account of enduring and surviving the World War II years as a prisoner in Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps. We should never forget. Second, and perhaps far more important, this is one of the most beautiful love stories you may ever have the privilege to read.
Lale and Gita are two Slovakian youths who meet in Auschwitz and fall in love. Led by Lale, they are driven to find ways to survive, and their love grows day by day, when each day may be their last. Lale, an extremely clever lad not only finds ways to survive, but he also takes big risks to help Gita, her girlfriends, and as many other prisoners as he can find enough food to keep up their strength.
The book is subtitled “a novel” but it is based on a true story told to the author by Lale later in his life.
This is not a depressing story! Amazingly, it is an affirmation of the human spirit at its very best. As years go by, and generations follow generations, this book is truly a way we can never forget the Holocaust.
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based on a true story
This book is one of those that you don’t want to put down. It it one that I will carry with me for a long time.
Hard to read, but glad I did.
Very well written. The fact that the main character was involved in the process of aiding the author by relating his story to her first hand I found fascinating. It was hard to put this book down.
Sad to say I DNF’d this guy.
I have been looking forward to reading it for a long while, but it was really flat and quite boring, to be honest. The writing style was also very choppy, far from eloquent and easy to read.
Had the ~bones~ of something great.
Sadly, not anything else.
Sad,intense, compelling story of one couple who survived the horror of living in one of the encampments during WWII but also the story of their love for one another
This man actually tatooed my own father during the Holocaust, it was a schock for me when I read it.
A vivd tale of hope and survival among the atrocities of a concentration camp. This is an inspiring story, realistically and masterfully portrayed.
I can’t convey how much I recommend this book. It’s emotional, heartbreaking but so so beautiful at the same time. I think it’s so important to remember the pain and suffering, but also the strength of the people that were forced to live through this time. I cannot fathom anything close to what they went through and consider myself very very lucky. I am, however, so happy to read that they got their happy ever after eventually. So poignant and thought-provoking. I will definitely be thinking about them when I visit Auschwitz this year.
Great story an unexpected ending. Two of the luckiest people on earth wind up in auschwitz and thrive.
While I thought I knew the horrors of Holocaust, it was another to read about it from the eyes of a Tattooist who witnessed the actual devastating experience and from those around him. To survive three years at Auschwitz to me, is a miracle itself… This part of history can never be repeated but to have someone live and tell it is haunting and heroic in the acts they took to survive.
A true life account of a young man chosen to be a tattooer in Auschwitz. Truly shocking but also the compassion for other prisoners of war truly amazing
This is a beautiful story. I finished it within 3 days, and it had me in tears.
I couldn’t put this book down. I don’t usually care for books about difficult situations that might make me sad. This one will make you feel shocked, sad, happy, surprised…everything. I highly recommend you read this book.