Jaclyn’s Review: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

The Tattooist of Auschwitz
written by Heather Morris
published by Harper, 2018

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Apple Books, Target, Walmart, Kobo, Book Depository, Goodreads

Did I enjoy this book? This book was a tough read for me. First of all, I’m not sure that any book about Auschwitz should ever be considered an “easy read.” I enjoyed this book because I had never read nor heard a story like this one before. I guess I never thought much about HOW the prisoners at the concentration camps received their tattoos. I appreciated that this story was a much more narrow focus, instead of a general story about the horrors of Auschwitz. I struggled with this story because the author made it seem like life in the camp was not all that difficult or disturbing. I would periodically stop reading and think “has the author ever read a story about Auschwitz?” I was shocked to find out that this was actually a true story and that the main character actually spoke directly to the author! Perhaps the author glossed over the more disturbing details? Perhaps the main character was choosing to only speak of certain events? I’ll never be sure. However, this weighed heavily on me throughout the reading of this book.

Would I recommend it: This book is a difficult read due to the subject matter. I can tell you that it ultimately does end with a happy ending. If WWII is an area of interest for you, I think this is a great read for a different perspective of events. This is definitely not a book to pick up lightly as the story is difficult to read no matter what.

 

About the book – 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 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.

 

 

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** This post first appeared on Every Free Chance Books (everyfreechance.com) on October 4, 2021.