The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2018)

I started reading this book because I am so interested in all thing Auschwitz. I did not realize that once I got to the chapter were they bring in the children. I lost it. I cried. I cannot even imagine going through that and my child going through it. Overall I was so interested in this book. I had a hard time getting into it, but a couple chapters in I was hooked. ( )

Based on a true story. Solid, but not exceptional, writing and good character development. My main problem with this novel is that is ceased being a novel in the epilogue....rather than in an afterward. ( )

Wow, what a book. For some reason holocaust stories are so interesting to me. I think part of it is the strength of the people to go on when things are so bad is so hard for me to understand. I also have a hard time understanding how people can do such cruel things to other people. This book was based on memories from a man that survived Auschwitz. He spoke many languages so was useful to the Nazi's and he was recruited to become the tattooist of the prisoners. He was locked up for three years and somehow rarely lost hope. He became infatuated with a young woman when he tattooed her arm and quickly decided to become her protector. The story of their love in such horrible circumstances is amazing.
I highly recommend this book. ( )

3.5
These books are important, books like these finally tell a tale of these people, painting a picture of the horrific events at the camps, I was speechless after reading.

This book is based on true events, there really was a Lale and Gita. It's so compelling that once you get into the story, you don't get out. I had never read books that talked of everything in the camps, and if I had, they definitely differ from this.


The plot follows Lale Sokolov, a New imprisoned in Auschwitz-Birkenau (also known as Auschwitz 2) Lale eventually is given an offer, to tattoo numbers on new prisoners' arms, these tattoos identified one prisoner from another. After tattooing a young girl, their paths cross again and again. They both start to fall in love, the fact that they found some semblance of happiness during this awful period is written so well.

Love at first sight, it was.

I was concerned about if it would go into too much detail. Thankfully it didn't because the fact I could visualise it enough in my mind is a testament to how Heather Morris has made this story come alive again in my mind.

The writing, while not my favourite still did the job. It really changes with the characters' emotions, with the bright spots in Lale's time (Gita and the gypsies), it has a brighter tone. The writing was hard to get through with its style, and also because of what it was about. The writing about Mengele shocked me, I was horrified, while I knew what he did throughout the war, seeing Lale's friend be affected and then realising how many people suffered during the war at the hands of this man.
The writing is very descriptive, I managed to visualise scenes quite easily and that's important for a story like this in particular.

The fact that these characters were real people definitely brings this story closer. This isn't just fiction, these people really did suffer.


Lale was such a complex character. His emotions warring within was portrayed quite well. He was a prisoner helping the enemy unwillingly and yet he uses this for good, using his privilege the help the less privilege. It shows how kindhearted people can be even in these horrid circumstances.
I loved how he managed to find some happiness during this time, with Gita and the Gypsies yet in the dark times, his personality changed completely.

Gita was also a great character, she was kind and quiet yet could be strong in other ways. She slapped Lale a few times, she was strong but didn't show it.

Love at first sight was actually real here, and later on their love only grows.
Even after they are freed, they go onto to live a good life.


I loved the fact that this book detailed their struggles after liberation and it went on to detail how they lived out the rest of their lives



Honestly, the complexity of the characters was what I loved and how Lale struggled every day to do what he had to do.

This book was feminist in a very understated yet powerful way, and I was really invested in that.

"Whatever happens tomorrow will happen to all of them . Together they will live or die"

I loved how the other people had roles to play too, the author focuses on Cilka's struggles and Leon coping after being with Mengele.

Also the fact all these people suffered at Auschwitz and when Lale talks of it to someone, that someone has never heard of it and that astounded me.

Overall, this book was really powerful with writing that allowed you to visualise the book. The fact these events happened is horrible but we must take solace on that the more we know, the more we can hope this doesn't happen again.I didn’t know how I would go with this book but I am so glad I picked it up.
( )

A gripping tale of the concentration camp lives of two Jews during the Holocaust. Although considered a novel, it is based on the lives of Lale Sokolov and Gita Furman. Some criticism of the book has called it “Holocaust denialism” claiming that the representation of Auschwitz was not an accurate portrayal. Others have praised the book for its heart wrenching story, while even if fiction, certainly represents the terror those who lived in the camps lived in. I found it a valuable addition to the many Holocaust books I’ve read and continues to give me an appreciation for this horrible part of our history. ( )