The Tattooist of Auschwitz

The #1 International Bestseller & New York Times Bestseller

This beautiful, illuminating tale of hope and courage is based on interviews that were conducted with Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov—an unforgettable love story in the midst of atrocity.

“The Tattooist of Auschwitz is an extraordinary document, a story about the extremes of human behavior existing side by side: calculated brutality alongside impulsive and selfless acts of love. I find it hard to imagine anyone who would not be drawn in, confronted and moved. I would recommend it unreservedly to anyone, whether they’d read a hundred Holocaust stories or none.”—Graeme Simsion, internationally-bestselling author of The Rosie Project

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.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a 2018 Holocaust novel by New Zealand novelist Heather Morris. The book tells the story of how Slovakian Jew Lale Sokolov, who was imprisoned at Auschwitz in 1942, fell in love with a girl he was tattooing at the concentration camp. The story is based on the real lives of Sokolov and his wife, Gita Furman. There has been mixed criticism towards the book, with some complimenting the novel’s compelling story based on real-life events, while claims of factual inaccuracies that bring into question miseducation around historical events has been critiqued by the Auschwitz Memorial Research Center. Author and investigative journalist Christine Kenneally has called it Holocaust denialism in that the representation of Auschwitz as not realistic.As of October 2019, the novel has sold more than three million copies around the world. 61,391 copies of The Tattooist of Auschwitz were sold in 2018 in Ireland. In 2018 it was the #1 New York Times Bestseller and #1 International Bestseller. ..

GreatJGToale

I loved the book. It was captivating. I wish the end had been drawn out a bit more, though. 55

Underdeveloped characters and endingL. Smelser

I enjoyed the story and perspective of this book. However, there wasn’t a whole lot of character connection or development throughout the story. The ending was also sped up and ended too quickly. 25

A love story in the darkest of times!cayton1

Such a genuine and riveting account of Holocaust survivors. I am thrilled that he was finally able to tell their story. 55

Tried to enjoy itdeadflames

Sorry, it just reads like spark notes or something. Every chance for something interesting cuts short to a sentence of “then x was happening for y days”. 15

AstoundingCat_Knibble_Knibble_Knibble

Amazing book that places you in the middle of a forbidden relationship. heartbreaking, but an amazing, cant-put-down read. 45

Amazing!Jessiep813

I love this story so much. I listened to it on audio and the narrator did a wonderful job. The story was so wonderful. Highly recommend 55

A book you want to read the second timediana connie

This was such an amazing book and I quickly read through it. It’s a true one story and one about surviving the camps and what Lale did to remain alive. I would recommend this book to anybody and everybody! 55

A must readhelloiamarobo

An absolutely amazing story 55

Great book!!! Must read!!!chelsea93053

Very great book I love that you can feel the love pain and sorrow between the characters as you read I was very impressed 55

The Tattooist of AuschwitzJocey Anne

Really? Did she even try? This was awful. 15

Incredible Story, Poor WritingBPF72

I was fascinated by Lale’s story but the writing left much to be desired. Not enough emotion for such a serious topic. 35

The tattooist of Auschwitznewtonrehab

Amazing story to come from such a hellish place. Great read! 55