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 more than 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.
My Review:
Rating: 5/5 stars.
I got this book as a gift from my boyfriend as he knows how interested I am in WW2. This book was as good as I anticipated with its heartbreaking true story that is written so well by Heather Morris. She wrote Lale Sokolov story with such respect and care, giving the reader such a close insight into how it was living as a prisoner in Auschwitz concerntration camps. Lale and millions of others went through hell but Lale still found love within this terrible time. We get to read this book in the safety of our own lives. My own Grandma was a Jew during the War which makes me have a deeper interest in it. It a must needed story for our generation to read. We can never forget. This book is written so that we can see what happens when humanity becomes inhumane. Lale and Gita survive this awful war and lived a life of love but so many others died in pain and murdered by evil people. Thank you to Lale who sadly passed away 13 years ago and thank you to Heather for writing his story. Amy x
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