The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

From Goodreads

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 over 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

My thanks to the Publisher via NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I gave this a well deserved 5 stars or 10/10.

Heather Morris after time spent with Lale, has woven narrative around his life story detailing his life spent in Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps and how he found love against the odds with Gita.

This was a heart wrenching tale detailing the barbaric practises of the Nazis towards the Jews and other nationalities, who were unlucky enough to find themselves as inhabitants of the camps. Whilst, trying to stay alive and remain below the radar of the Nazis it shows how some occupants were able to help others from time to time. Often putting their own lives in danger to help others.

I found this an emotional roller coaster of a read and wonder how I would have acted if I'd been unlucky enough to have found myself living there. This book needs to be on School curriculums, as it chronicles a part of history that should never be forgotten about.