In the words of Heather Morris – The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a story of two ordinary people, living in an extraordinary time, deprived not only their freedom but their dignity, their names, and their identities.
To me, Lale and Gita were not ordinary – the strength and faith they demonstrated throughout the book was simply phenomenal to read.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
5 out of 5
Pubished in 2019 by Zaffre
You can order a copy from Amazon, Waterstones
Blurb: In 1942, Lale Sokolov arrived in Auschwitz-Birkenau. He was given the job of tattooing the prisoners marked for survival – scratching numbers into his fellow victims’ arms in indelible ink to create what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust.
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 was determined not only to survive himself, but to ensure this woman, Gita, did, too.
So begins one of the most life-affirming, courageous, unforgettable and human stories of the Holocaust: the love story of the tattooist of Auschwitz.
Politics will help you understand the world until you don’t understand anymore, and then it will get you thrown into a prison camp. Politics & religion both.
You did what you had to in order to survive the ordeal of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Many didn’t, and that makes their story even more magnificent.
How in the midst of all the chaos was Lale able to stay positive, always help others around him and even find the love of his life, all the while keeping his sanity, is absolutely beyond me. Gita’s trust in him was extraordinary.
I find it difficult to put into words the emotions I felt throughout the book. Disgust, anger, hope…. my words really do fail me.
I was so close to tears at the end of the book. I know it will affect me for a long time.
What an incredible journey of survival and love! Very,very emotional.
Another Amazing 5 star read – although it doesn’t feel right to rate it like that.
