The Tattooist of Auschwitz
A Novel
Book - 2018
"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." -- Publisher.
Publisher:
New York City, New York : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, ♭2018.
ISBN:
9780062877000
9780062797155
9780062870674
006287067X
9781785763649
9781785763656
9780062797155
9780062870674
006287067X
9781785763649
9781785763656
Characteristics:
262, 11 pages :,illustrations, map, portraits ;,24 cm.


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allysunsun24
Sep 25, 2019
"They are holding something that is absolutely forbidden in Auschwitz. These items, so dangerous that their mere possession is a death sentence, cannot be fired, nor do they have a sharp point, a blade, or a heavy end. These items, which the relentless guards of the Reich fear so much, are nothing more than books: old, unbound, with missing pages, and in tatters."
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Add a CommentHolocaust Lit. Good read.
Although this is supposed to be based on a true story, I find some parts of it difficult to believe. Lale definitely had nine lives.
Recommended by a Friend who loved the book and told me it was based a true story. When I opened the cover there was a note that informs the reader that this book is fiction and that any references made to real people, Events, Establishments, Organizations or Locales are intended only to provide a sense of authenticity and are used fictitiously. All other characters and all incidents and dialogue are drawn from the authors imagination and are not to be construed as real. After reading this excerpt it made me question just how much was true. Is this a good book? Yes. Can I get over the fact that there are probably many parts in this book that are fictitious? Maybe.
A powerful, horrific, and moving novel based on a true story. A love story. A story about the horrors of Nazi Germany and the concentration camps that dehumanized so many. A story about man's cruelty to man, and also a story about compassion, about one extraordinary man who shared what little he had with others so that they might also survive to live another day. A must read so that atrocities like this never happen again.
A must read for all Historical Fiction readers! The true events to this novel increase the intensity of the read.
Tough to read but a beautiful story of love and survival. The fact that it was based on a true story was even better. The author's notes and prologue made the book even richer. I recommend it.
The book was read in no time, couldn't put it down. Frankly, the simple way it's written somewhat takes the edge of all the horrors of the concentration camp it tells about otherwise it'd be a very uneasy read. Definite must read for many many more generations to come, so nobody forgets the most humiliated time in history.
Read this book in just 3 day’s. I couldn’t put it down. I really thought that this book may be hard to read due to the fact of where it takes place. But thankfully not many details of the inhumanity were shared. This book was more love story than anything else. It’s absolutely incredible what these two characters go through. What’s even more incredible, is that it’s based on a true story.
Unbelievable true story
Sad story based on really sad events.
I agree the writing style was simple and the style was lacking.