Title: The Tattooist ofAuschwitz
Author: Heather Morris
Format: Paperback
Publication Date: September
4, 2018
4, 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
My Rating: 5
Goodreads Synopsis
The Tattooist of Auschwitz is
based on the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, two Slovakian Jews who
survived Auschwitz and eventually made their home in Australia. In that
terrible place, Lale was given the job of tattooing the prisoners marked for
survival—literally scratching numbers into his fellow victims’ arms in
indelible ink to create what would become one of the most potent symbols of the
Holocaust. Lale used the infinitesimal freedom of movement that this position
awarded him to exchange jewels and money taken from murdered Jews for food to
keep others alive. If he had been caught, he would have been killed; many owed
him their survival.
based on the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, two Slovakian Jews who
survived Auschwitz and eventually made their home in Australia. In that
terrible place, Lale was given the job of tattooing the prisoners marked for
survival—literally scratching numbers into his fellow victims’ arms in
indelible ink to create what would become one of the most potent symbols of the
Holocaust. Lale used the infinitesimal freedom of movement that this position
awarded him to exchange jewels and money taken from murdered Jews for food to
keep others alive. If he had been caught, he would have been killed; many owed
him their survival.
There have been many books
about the Holocaust—and there will be many more. What makes this one so
memorable is Lale Sokolov’s incredible zest for life. He understood exactly
what was in store for him and his fellow prisoners, and he was determined to
survive—not just to survive but to leave the camp with his dignity and
integrity intact, to live his life to the full. Terrible though this story is,
it is also a story of hope and of courage. It is also—almost unbelievably—a
love story. Waiting in line to be tattooed, terrified and shaking, was a young
girl. For Lale—a dandy, a jack-the-lad, a bit of a chancer—it was love at first
sight, and he determined not only to survive himself but to ensure that Gita
did, too. His story—their story—will make you weep, but you will also find it
uplifting. It shows the very best of humanity in the very worst of
circumstances.
about the Holocaust—and there will be many more. What makes this one so
memorable is Lale Sokolov’s incredible zest for life. He understood exactly
what was in store for him and his fellow prisoners, and he was determined to
survive—not just to survive but to leave the camp with his dignity and
integrity intact, to live his life to the full. Terrible though this story is,
it is also a story of hope and of courage. It is also—almost unbelievably—a
love story. Waiting in line to be tattooed, terrified and shaking, was a young
girl. For Lale—a dandy, a jack-the-lad, a bit of a chancer—it was love at first
sight, and he determined not only to survive himself but to ensure that Gita
did, too. His story—their story—will make you weep, but you will also find it
uplifting. It shows the very best of humanity in the very worst of
circumstances.
Like many survivors, Lale and
Gita told few people their story after the war. They eventually made their way
to Australia, where they raised a son and had a successful life. But when Gita
died, Lale felt he could no longer carry the burden of their past alone. He
chose to tell his story.
Gita told few people their story after the war. They eventually made their way
to Australia, where they raised a son and had a successful life. But when Gita
died, Lale felt he could no longer carry the burden of their past alone. He
chose to tell his story.
My Thoughts…
I’ve read quite a few historical fiction books,
many of those being WWII historical fiction.
So many, in fact, that I’ve already done an ABL Read-A-Likes for theTattooist of Auschwitz, and I had to get picky about which books went on the
list. All of this to say that I am very
familiar with this type of book, and shouldn’t be surprised by its contents,
and yet I still was.
many of those being WWII historical fiction.
So many, in fact, that I’ve already done an ABL Read-A-Likes for theTattooist of Auschwitz, and I had to get picky about which books went on the
list. All of this to say that I am very
familiar with this type of book, and shouldn’t be surprised by its contents,
and yet I still was.
The horrific conditions of the camps, torture of
the prisoners, and the unmitigated hate – the constant, unending, unmitigated
hate – was extremely disturbing.
the prisoners, and the unmitigated hate – the constant, unending, unmitigated
hate – was extremely disturbing.
The beauty of this story is found in hope. Morris uses love as a source of hope for the
lovers, for the prisoners, and even for some of the guards. I was probably most surprised by the way the
love story affected the guards. Nazism
commonly used systematic hatred and bigotry to dehumanize the captives, and
thus dehumanize the guards. Lale and
Gita’s love story forced some of the Nazis to see the them as people, if only
for a moment.
lovers, for the prisoners, and even for some of the guards. I was probably most surprised by the way the
love story affected the guards. Nazism
commonly used systematic hatred and bigotry to dehumanize the captives, and
thus dehumanize the guards. Lale and
Gita’s love story forced some of the Nazis to see the them as people, if only
for a moment.
This is an extraordinary story of extraordinary
lives. I was swept away, Though I can’t
exactly say that I felt like I was transported there. I am always in awe of anyone who even
attempts to put a place like Auschwitz into words. Through all of the fear and
death, this book is full of hope, optimism, and faith. That is a true testament to the power of love
and the talent of Heather Morris.
lives. I was swept away, Though I can’t
exactly say that I felt like I was transported there. I am always in awe of anyone who even
attempts to put a place like Auschwitz into words. Through all of the fear and
death, this book is full of hope, optimism, and faith. That is a true testament to the power of love
and the talent of Heather Morris.
Favorite Quotes
“How can someone do this to another human being? He wonders if for
the rest of his life, be it short or long, he will be defined by this moment,
this irregular number: 32407.”
the rest of his life, be it short or long, he will be defined by this moment,
this irregular number: 32407.”
― Heather Morris, The Tattooist of Auschwitz
“If you wake up in the morning, it is a good day.”
― Heather Morris, The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Are you planning to read this book? What’s your favorite time period of historical fiction?
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