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.
more
I love historical fiction.
I liked it and will recommend it to my book club.
Excellent book based on actual people and events during an absolutely harrowing and dreadful time in history.
Couldn’t put it down and at the same time was worried for the characters.
Every now and again I will read/listen to a book that I know will stay with me for the rest of my life. This one is one of those. The writing pulled me in from the first page and kept me enmeshed until the end.
The narrator is excellent and brought the protagonists to life, which contributed to the mesmerizing effect of this novel for me.
If you enjoy historical fiction based on real people told in a way that will capture your mind, then you will love The Tattooist of Auschwtz as much as I did. Happy reading and listening!
Though I had difficulty stomaching-and was fairly disappointed by-a few lewd scenes, I was touched by this tale of two lives propelled together and bound by the horrors of Auschwitz. It painted vivid scenes of depravity and desperation through the eyes of the main character, though his tale eventually led to hope after unimaginable horror. Excellent read. I would recommend to any who are intrigued by Holocaust/WWII historical fiction.
excellent couldn’t put it down. was a topic I never thought about.
I’m a sucker for WW2 books, anything war-ish actually, and this book, was so up my alley. It was a fantastic story about impossible circumstances; love, fear, loss, devastation, enforcement of cruelty, and hope; so much hope.
I hold such great regard to those who can hold hope during such atrocities and this book, is exemplary in showing and giving hope.
Based on a true story as told to the author by a survivor, The Tattooist of Auschwitz tells of just that, the person who was required to tattoo the others in the concentration camp. He falls in love with young Gita and makes it his life’s mission to survive and make a life with her.
I may have used an entire box of tissue through this book.
This is a true story combining a love story with Holocaust fiction. It told the story of the Tattooist of Auschwitz (Lale) and how he fought to find and bring a little light to a horrible situation. I listened on audio and found it really easy to follow. I really enjoyed hearing Lale’s story and fell in love with his relationship with Gerta. I enjoyed learning about the inside of a concentration camp, particularly Auschwitz, and then reading about it in historical sources, it is a perspective you don’t typically get. It was also very emotional. My complaint is that some parts felt superfluous
The story is just as the name suggests. If you have the inclination and time to read another story about the hellish camps during the holocaust, this is a good one.
Good story ruined by poor writing
A very good story from a a very different view
A tragic, compelling story about an unbelievable time in history! A must read!
An inspirational book about a time that was a horrific moment in history. Tragic and heart wrenching but shows the fortitude and strength of the human psyche. A book that shows something beautiful coming out of events so unbelievably atrocious, horrid and life changing. Personally, I cannot imagine how the people portrayed in this book survived and went on to have fulfilling lives after going through the hell they experienced. What a testament to the human spirit.
Happy, tragic, desperate, realistic all in one!
I found this to be a heartbreaking story, but with a happy ending for the couple involved. I believe these kind of stories need to be told so that perhaps they will deter it from ever happening again. I find myself wondering how there could have been so many horrible sadistic people in one place at the same time……..
Haunting story.
I found I could not put the book down even thought it was heartbreaking and caused great sadness. For Lale, helping others and the anguish of what he had to do was amazing. The fact that there was enduring love between Lale and Gita kept me going, with the need for the ending to be as I wanted. In reality I can only think. This never should have happened.
An emotional read but I could not put the book down.
Fantastic review of the holocaust and how some survived by using their wits and
just pure luck!