Good Read Synopsis
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.
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 Review 3.5/5.0
The story was encouraging, heartbreaking, and emotional. The characters were wonderful and enduring. I liked reading this book - and was angered by how much of it was true. It was such a time in history that words cannot describe the evil.
The only reason for my low(er) rating was the way the story was written. Once I read that the author originally intended it for a screen-play.. it made a little more sense. With such an emotional story to lay out through the pages, I expected more build-up and more intense descriptive language. The way the story is written, I almost felt like it was a monotone read at certain points.
Good novel, heartbreaking and encouraging story, inspiring characters, during such a devastating time in the world - just not my favorite writing style.
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