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 book is such an amazingly sad and inspirational story all at the same time. I kept having to put the book down and walk away while I was reading, because some of it is just hard to read because it really happened. These poor people were treated like garbage. Yet in the middle of all the hate, Lale found Girta and never lost sight of what mattered. It’s truly a beautiful love story. I would recommend it to anyone. Heather Morris did a wonderful job telling their story.
This book grew out of three years of interviews between the author and Lale Sokolov, who in 1942 became the tattooist of Birkenau-Auschwitz. That he survived the death camp is remarkable; that he found Gita and managed to keep her, and many others, alive, is even more remarkable. It is clear that he was an incredibly humane and compassionate man, practical about the terrible times in which the Jews, Romani, and others tried to to survive. He made opportunities to help those around him however he could, accepted and mourned the deaths of those he couldn’t help, and found the love of his life in the darkest days of WW2. A powerful and special read.
this book explores the Jews of the Holocaust who performed jobs inside the prisons to keep alive—–amazing story and one I recommend—–my book club loved the story ——another book that will stay on my shelf—–
TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ BY HEATHER MORRIS.
I read it recently. I liked it. And I recommend it for those who are
interested in world war II, stories.
Suspense and gripping, both are engulfed by the author, in equal doses.
BVR
This is one of the best WWII books I have read. Since it was based on a true story, it was even more moving. The characters were brought to life with just enough detail to make you love them and wish you had known them. The twists and turns at the end lead you to believe that the outcome is not as you would have predicted. Love this book!
A Disappointing and Shallow Read Given all the Hype. The book is a romanticized treatment of a “true story” told to a screenwriter in Australia. However, it is clear the writer never visited Poland and Auschwitz and relied completely on other people for her research. Too many scenes could not have happened as described. The writer is sloppy about her history, so much so that the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum recently issued a ten-point rubuttal of points made. The museum called the book careless about historical accuracy. I know. I have been to Auschwitz and am very well studied. The author has not, and clearly got many things wrong including terminology. In one place she depicts the prisoners digging through grass for a four-leaf clover. Reality? The starving humans ate every blade of grass they could find. She talks about how the guards take out the dead. Wouldn’t have happened. Only the prisoners touched the dead. She talks of an SS guard who took a prisoner to his bed in the administration building – SS guards NEVER had quarters in the prison camp. There are so many things wrong with this book. My biggest fear? Thousands of people read this book as fact and informative. Even if it is fiction, once the author proclaims on the cover “powerful true story” she has declared it is correct – and indeed included family photos of the “tattooist.” Instead the author focused on imagined conversations with lots of dialogue with little attention to detail. Why the low rating? Having written on the same era, I am highly sensitive to those books with a lot of hype that too many people will read as “factual” or “informative,” This book could have been so much better with real depth, facts, and proof. Sadly, all of that is lacking. Being a best seller does not always equate to a great book – just great hype.
The story takes place during WWII in a Nazi concentration camp. It’s a story of suffering, hatred, friendship, love, and the power of hope. This is a definite must read.
This book is the result of many many hours of research and interviews with the main character. Although it is a story of a man’s experience in Auschwitz it is not written in a dark depressing manner. Instead it shows the amazing spirit of people to survive and support each other in the most trying of times. It is a great story.
Really enjoyed this read ..
This amazing story was so rich in characters and immersion. I could not stop reading it. I felt by the end of the book I knew all the main characters intimately. What a well written book. Read it.
I loved this book. Based on our world war 2 history, the reader is able to experience the Power of hatred while still continuing to feel love. It touches our hearts
Loved it though at this time it’s frightening. Truthfully it’s always frightening but that’s why it should be read.
I have read a number of books and visited museums about the Holocaust. This is definitely one of the better books. It always amazes me the strength of people to survive this kind of ordeal. The story is told as it happened. No extra drama or embellishments of the truth. They did what they needed to do in order to survive.
Excellent book! Although the topic is tragic, the will to survive is key to a worthy read.
I loved this book
Very compelling and sad story of one man’s struggle for survival in the German concentration camps. His compassion and concern for his fellow prisoners, as well as his ingenuity in outsmarting the Germans is truly remarkable. Amongst all the sadness, hate and inhumanity he finds love and this is what gets him through.
Base on the powerful true story of love and survival.
One of the best books I have read in many years! I read this book in one day! A must read…
Wonderful book about a horrendous time in history. Although very sad at times, the resilience of the human spirit shines through this book. I highly recommend this book. Some of the situations detailed in the book have an eerie similarity to events happening now in our world. Excellent read!
The author really puts the reader right there with the main character and makes you feel the anguish and hopelessness of all of those imprisoned in Auschwitz. This was not only a good read, but an informative one as well.