The Tattooist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, two Slovakian Jews who survived Auschwitz and eventually made their home in Australia.

A story about survival and hope during a time when most didn't survive and hope was something hard to hang on to. I love this story, and I love that Heather Morris was able to tell Lale and Gita's story for them. It's always hard to read these stories of the Holocaust, but I think it is so important to tell these stories so that history is not forgotten. So that it is not repeated.

WWII-era novels are among my favorites to read, which is why this one caught my eye. The fact that the author wrote it based on the story of a real-life Auschwitz survivor made it even more compelling. One quote really captures it all: “For here, in the very worst of circumstances, is the very best of humanity.”

The book follows the life of Lale Sokolov, who finds himself working at Auschwitz as the Tatowierer, tattooing the identification numbers onto the prisoners arriving in camp. This position affords him “opportunities” not given to many others, such as extra food rations, which is the only benefit to the job. He is determined to do what he needs to in order to survive. He realizes early on the importance of helping others and being kind, even amid the horrors surrounding him. Gita is a young girl at the camp, and Lale falls for her almost immediately. Their story is key to the story.

The author explains how she came to tell Lale’s story, which was fascinating to read. Some scenes do seem a bit rushed, however, and a bit more about their lives outside the camp would have been a nice addition. It was originally written as a screenplay, and the heart-wrenching scenes, as well as the hope-filled ones, would play out well in a movie. This is a part of our history, and it’s one that should never be forgotten or repeated.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Wow!!! An amazing, heart breaking, uplifting portrayal of survival from Auschwitz. I could not put this down and devoured it in 2 days. I did not appreciate until the end that this was based on a true story and when I did the tears flowed even more. I have and will be recommending this book to anyone that will listen.

This book is a love story in one of the most awful time in history. It doesn’t hold back on the events of the time but it does let.you know that love and the determination to live are possible in the worst of times.

A heart wrenching book of concentration camps and the people. Based on a true story, a reminder that good can still happen to the fortunate. Historical readers and readers of WWII will appreciate Morris's book.

This isn't a book I will choose to read but for some reason from the moment I see it and read the synopsis I wanted to read it immediately! I like the story, it was a quick read! The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a powerful story that once you read it, you'll never forget it!This is a sad story so you have to be in mood to read it! "The Tattooist of Auschwitz" by Heather Morris is based upon the harrowing experiences of Lale Sokolov in Auschwitz and Birkenau.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again. Some books have the ability to take your breath away. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris is one such book.

It is the story of Lale Sokolov: a young Slovakian man who survived the horrors of Auschwitz. Books with an Auschwitz setting are invariably horrific and harrowing. It is even worse when it is a true story.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz reads like a movie, every detail is crisp in your mind and you do feel transported to the same time and place. And even with prior knowledge of the Holocaust, nothing can prepare you for the verisimilitude presented in this account. What is beautiful is that even through all the horrors there is still hope. The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a beautiful read.

It may sound dramatic but it is an honour to read such a story.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is the first book I read in 2018 and I can assure you that it will take some beating as the book of the year for me.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris is available.

For more information regarding Heather Morris please visit her website www.heathermorris.com.au.

For more information regarding Bonnier Zaffre (@BonnierZaffre) please visit their Twitter page.

How does one review a book which tugs at your heart and touches your soul?

This is a story of two ordinary people, living in an extra-ordinary time, deprived not only of their freedom but their dignity, their names, and their identities.
Told from the viewpoint of Ludwig Eisenberg (later Sokolov), aka Lale, from Krompachy, Slovakia, this is first person account of his life in Auschwitz. He volunteers to work for the German government to prevent his whole family from being taken to concentration camps, and finds himself in Auschwitz.

He lands a job as the Tattooist of Auschwitz, wherein his primary responsibility, is to ink each new person with a no. which will identify him or her.
On the job, he meets Gita and while inking her, it was love at first sight.
Lale lived his life by the motto: If you wake up in the morning, it is a good day.
He constantly believed that he will live to leave that place and will walk out a free man, with Gita.
Lale was kind to everyone and had respect for others. Because of these traits of his, he becomes a friend to all prisoners. And it was his kind deeds and simple acts of humanity, along with his resilience, which brought him back from death many-a-times.

Lale and Gita’s inspirational love story is the central theme in this book.
Not only did they survive – they lived to tell their story.
This book is incredibly heart-warming in its optimism and humanity and is a true story of survival and love during the Holocaust.

I will leave you with a quote:
“When you spend years not knowing in in five minutes’ time you will be dead, there’s not much that you can’t deal with”.

A truly moving, emotive story. We all know the atrocities of the holocaust and the concentration camps but these are such personal stories that are even more heart rending knowing they are true. The author has done an amazing job of bringing the horror of Lale's memories to life in this story. It doesn't feel right to say I loved this book based on the subject but it had me enthralled and should be read as such an important piece of history.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is devoid of human emotion. It’s robotic, almost like a book report. Heather Morris’s writing style detracts from Lale and Gita’s powerful story. While Lale and Gita face insurmountable hardships in Auschwitz, Morris waters it down to mechanical facts. There’s no fear or since of urgency to Lale or Gita’s actions. I found myself not connecting to Lale and Gita like I wanted too.

**Net Galley provided and an advanced copy for an honest review**

I will never forget this book as long as I live. Heather Morris seamlessly tells the true tale of a man who lived a life of daily uncertainty in whether he would live or die - but who never forgot how to love. The Tattooist of Auschwitz is an indelible story of survival in one of our world's darkest moments in history. Emotions run the gamut in this novel of fear, betrayal, guilt, hope, affliction, passion, friendship, and determination. The events of Lale and Gita's life are incomprehensible for those who did not also experience it. However, Morris' screenplay turned book - gives you a glimpse into first person account, of what had to be done to survive Hitler's agenda. One thing is certain though; Hitler may have tried to eradicate an entire people group - but he could never rid the world of love. Lale and Gita prove that no matter the situation - if you have love, you have hope. Where there is hope, there is light. And light - always overcomes darkness.

This is definitely a 5 star book! I so love books like this. The book is about Lale Sokolov and how be became the head tattooist of Aushwitz and his wife Gita, whom he met there. The terror, horror, and holding my breath, oh goodness. This book was from a different angle, not just a prisoner, but someone who actually worked for the SS within the camp. Each time the SS guards or Dr. Mengele would come by his table to inspect his work you could not help but squint your eyes to see if he made out ok. You can feel the tension between the SS guards and Lale and Leon when that happens. When Lale falls in love with Gita, you can see and feel the attraction, love, and sincerity. There are a couple of times (I don't want to spoil too much) you gasp and tear up. Because of circumstances Lale and Gita are separated. In the end you feel the happiness that they eventually find each other. I did feel the end when they find each other kind of rushed, I wish it would have been a little longer. This book keeps you on your toes and you cannot keep from turning the pages to see what happens next. I liked how she gave the description of the camp and how it was separated, where everyone lived and worked. The epilogue to the book really brought it full circle for me, hearing about Lale's parents was heartbreaking. This is a book I would definitely recommend to anyone, it is a great eyeopener to those that do not read a lot about the holocaust or do not know a lot about it.

This wonderful novel is rooted in the true story of Lale and Gita. It was written after three years of interviews by the author with Lale Sokolov and consultations thereafter with his family. It is a tender love story but it is also so much more than that, because Lale and Gita met when they were taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau to slave in captivity for the Germans. Lale was charged with tattooing every person in minority groups that was held there from 1942 until the concentration camp was deserted by the Germans. It is a remarkable story of intelligence, resilience, determination, courage, loyalty, friendship and love: it is also an unforgettable tale of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. What’s more, it is so beautifully written with compassion and empathy abounding and is a testimony to Lale’s unfailing love for the young girl he fell in love when he tattooed her arm with her identity number. She survived because he always put her first and loved her until the day she died.
I really loved this fact based story. It’s certainly the best book I’ve read in 2017 in terms of educating me about the Holocaust and the reign of terror and brutality metered out by the Nazi captors and in terms of the roller coaster of emotions I experienced during the time I spent reading the book. It had a profound effect on me. It was both incredibly moving and yet I felt joyous that they both survived when so many died horrible deaths. However Lale and Gita did survive and were reunited in Bratislava after the war was over. This reunion in itself was miraculous. This is a story not to be missed. It is fantastic.
I would like to thank NetGalley and publisher Zaffre for my copy of this novel, sent to me in return for an honest review. It is top marks from me and highly recommended as an excellent, thought provoking and absorbing read. I will never forget this novel.

From the title I expected this book to be harrowing and it is but the overwhelming aspects of the book are a portrayal of love, hope friendship and kindness in the face of a cruelty beyond belief. A cruelty to fellow human beings which we all now know to be true. I purposely didn't read the blurb for this book and didn't realise it was an actual true story told by one of the survivors. Although you may think it's going to be an upsetting and depressing read I found it to be the opposite. I thought the writing was brilliant and it is a story that will stay with me.

I am so happy that I read this book. The true story of Lale and Gita Solkov about their time spent in a Nazis camp during WWII and then after the war. The kindness of Lale to fellow prisoners was incredible. He had a huge heart and put others before himself. He was also so very smart when dealing with officers so that he could continue helping others. The kindness and generosity of this couple continued after the war also. I am glad that Lale shared his story with the author. It is a story that needed to be told!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2167894931?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Wow, this is the first book I have gotten from Netgalley and let me say I am not disappointed. It was an absolutely incredible read. Not only was it based on a true story which made me fall in love with it even more, but it gave great insight to the concentration camps and how love really can survive anything. Lale's story was amazing to read and captivated me until the very end. The love he expressed not only for Gita, but his mother really had an impact on me in the best way. This book really makes me want to read more about their lives and the lives of other survivors.

I thought this book was an excellent account of a horrific period of time. Lale’s story conveyed those horrors to give depth and detail to the already infamous Auschwitz but the highlight of this book was the story of perseverance, kindness and the triumph of humanity over such a dark period. To save one is to save them all seems a trite quote considering what happened but by telling Lale’s story it further opens our eyes to the fact that this happened less than 100 years ago and perhaps we can use books like this to ensure that this could never happen again.

A fantastically well written book. Thank you for the opportunity to read this.

If you are looking for a (another) heart-wrenching holocaust story, you'll find it here. Based on the true story of Lale, the tattooist at Auschwitz for a period of time, I thought the story was, of course, tragic and compelling. The writing felt flat to me, I finished because I wanted to make sure Lale survived, but I wasn't completely swept up in the narrative or story. It felt the way you would expect it to feel - as someone tying together a string of interviews to tell an entire story.

Heather Morris has done a wonderful job in creating this special book. She has brought to life a man’s journey, from one of the worst places and times on this earth. It’s utterly gripping, and I sat for many hours completely mesmerised amongst the pages. We all read for pleasure, but occasionally along comes a book that certainly captures your attention, and leaves you thinking about it, long after you turn the last page. This is certainly one of those!
Of course, Lale had no idea what he was really volunteering for, when he put his hand up to represent his family, for the working order from the Government. His only crime was being a Jew, and for that he was being sent to the Auschwitz Concentration camp. Herded onto the train into cattle cars like animals, the men would find their new home very different from their last one. Auschwitz was its own kind of hell. It didn’t matter if you were Russian, Slovakian or simply a Jew, as far as the Germans were concerned, you were beneath them, and you would do as your told or be shot. Lale was luckier than most of the men when he scored the job as one of the tattooist. Certainly, a job that may keep him alive longer than most. Of course, Lale is conflicted by having to mark each person’s arm with a number, and not knowing what would happen to them. However, he is lucky enough to find Gita, a beautiful Slovakian girl that he instantly falls in love with. All he can hope for is to one day walk out of the nightmare alive. This is an emotional and moving novel, which I think everyone would thoroughly enjoy. It really is that good.