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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This is the true story of Lale Sokolov who was a concentration camp survivor. The author tells his story of what it was like for him during the 3 years he was in Auschwitz. He was chosen to be the Tattooist who tattooed the numbers on the prisoners each day when they came to camp. This job helped him stay alive during those three years. He also befriended people who came to the camp to work each day who would bring him food that he could share with other prisoners. He helped saved the lives of many while he was in camp, and when he was finally liberated, he was able to marry the love of his life (whom he met in the camp).
I have had this on my list and was excited to read it. It was chosen as a book “not to miss this year”. The story is unnerving. I have read quite a few stories – fictional and non-fictional – about WWII and what the Nazi’s did, but this was by far the most bleak. I was horrified by what Lale reported from first hand eye witness inside the camps. The attitudes of the guards, and even the doctors. That people who treat other human beings this way is something I will never understand. How they would shoot people for no reason other than because they felt like it. That even when they were liberated from the camps, they still were not free. It took Lale awhile to get free of being a prisoner and find Gita – his soon to be wife – and start a real life. They moved away from Slovakia – where they were from because they needed to escape.
The writing wasn’t particularly great, but I encourage you to look past that to hear this story. I read a few days ago that the Holocaust is being forgotten. But how can that be? It can not be forgotten – we cannot afford for something like this to ever happen again.
Exceptional
A novel Based on a true story of survivors of Auschwitz. I am a fan of WW2 fiction and non-fiction. The author has done an excellent job of bringing this story to light. I would have given it 5 stars, except for a couple of factual errors.
In the book the main character, Lale, seeks penicillin for his friend. Although penicillin was invented by Dr. Fleming in 1928, it was not until the 1940’s when the USA figured how to manufacturer it in large quantities. The Nazis had no access to penicillin and would never have been available in Auschwitz. Second error is similar. Lake is asked to snuggle into the c oncent
A different twist on the holocaust. Well crafted.
The majority of novels involving a Holocaust retelling are incredibly detailed, very emotional, and painstakingly heavy with the reality that their subjects endured.
Though there were certainly moments in this book that were heavy, they were not nearly as influential as “Night” or “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”. I believe the main factories that the book is written in third person, which brings you out of the “see what I’m seeing” mindset.
The other reason I loved this book is that it actually had a heart warming ending, for the most part. I won’t spoil it completely, but it’s certainly worth the day or so it’ll take for you to read it. Enjoy, future reader!
A must read for 2019. Truthful and brutal. But most history lessons are.
The first half of this book is not a page turner but hang in for the last half.
And always remember you are reading a true story ,lived and told to the author.
I’m very greatful to have had the good fortune to have read this book.
Never should we forget what really transpired in those years.
It’s a great ending to an overwhelming time period. When reading about the Holocaust one does not usually expect a happy ending.
A 2018 must read book! Fantastic.
A memorable personal history.
Moving. Fantastic. A must read
This book haunted me. Parts of it were very difficult to read.
If you are a fan of books about WWII, this will give you an inside look of a prisoner from a different perspective. I loved the main character and his never give up attitude.
A different twist on the story of Auschwitz and other concentration camps. Engrossing, holds your interest.
I couldn’t put it down.
this book was too unbelievable. i personally worked with holocaust survivors and know that this could have never happened. the romance in this book. never happen!. it upset me to think that the people who read this will think this could happen. it makes what really happened in the camps less horrible so i was disappointed.
beautiful outcome from a tragedy
This is a wonderfully written book about a man’s struggle to survive in Auschwitz!
Based on the title you would expect to be sad and haunting. It was more of a love story with hope. Very interesting highly recommend.
This book should be required reading.