The Tattooist of Auschwitz
by Heather Morris
Published by Harper
on January 27, 2018
Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction
Length: 262 pages
Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction
Length: 262 pages
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Synopsis:
Synopsis:
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 Tatowierer (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.
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 Thoughts:
A harrowing but hopeful tale of a Jewish man who survives Auschwitz and the love story he built there.
Lale Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner at Auschwitz, speaks many languages, including German, and is quickly put to work as a tattooist who inks the numbers on his fellow prisoners. This job awards him small incentives such as extra rations and freedom to come and go within the camp. Meanwhile, he has fallen in love with the beautiful Gita and uses his privileges to help her and as many others as he can, trying to survive so he and Gita can be together forever.
It was strange to read a Holocaust story that revolved around love. Every other story I've read has been so sobering but this one was at least a little hopeful and that made it stand out a lot.
Lale's perspective was also new to me. He held a job in the camp for years and was able to get himself into all sorts of mischief in that time.
My only (small) issue was with the writing which was quite simple or maybe just to the point and nothing more. I wish there had been a little more to it and it almost seemed like I was reading something transcribed from a recording at times. There was no flowy or overly descriptive prose but that did help keep it short and sweet as well.
I would definitely recommend if you enjoy WWII / Holocaust fiction.
3.75 out of 5 stars
More like this:
A harrowing but hopeful tale of a Jewish man who survives Auschwitz and the love story he built there.
Lale Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner at Auschwitz, speaks many languages, including German, and is quickly put to work as a tattooist who inks the numbers on his fellow prisoners. This job awards him small incentives such as extra rations and freedom to come and go within the camp. Meanwhile, he has fallen in love with the beautiful Gita and uses his privileges to help her and as many others as he can, trying to survive so he and Gita can be together forever.
It was strange to read a Holocaust story that revolved around love. Every other story I've read has been so sobering but this one was at least a little hopeful and that made it stand out a lot.
Lale's perspective was also new to me. He held a job in the camp for years and was able to get himself into all sorts of mischief in that time.
My only (small) issue was with the writing which was quite simple or maybe just to the point and nothing more. I wish there had been a little more to it and it almost seemed like I was reading something transcribed from a recording at times. There was no flowy or overly descriptive prose but that did help keep it short and sweet as well.
I would definitely recommend if you enjoy WWII / Holocaust fiction.
3.75 out of 5 stars
More like this:
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