Blog Contributor: Rhiana Boutot
The Tattooist of Auschwitz, by Heather Morris, is based on the true story of Lale Sokolov. Lale was a Holocaust survivor, Slovakian Jew, and - most notably - the man who tattooed the thousands of arms of prisoners that would arrive in Auschwitz. One particular prisoner, Gita, draws Lale's attention - and from the moment they meet, Lale vows to survive the camps and marry her.
Lale was such an interesting character. From a hardworking, women-loving, well-dressed business man, to a prisoner in Auschwitz working on roofs and new blocks, to eventually being the tattooist of Auschwitz. While he was still technically a prisoner, he was put into a position of power, and used his privilege for good. He was able to gather extra food to feed his fellow prisoners, and could bribe the Nazis into giving him chocolate, alone time with Gita, and much more.
This book was hard to read. I'm not going to lie, I cried quite a bit. The story was beautifully written and was such an extraordinary tale of love and humanity, even if it took place in a concentration camp. Lale and his friends all found some way to stay alive - whether it was love for another, the want to live a real life, or just pure spite. It was truly a story of love, selflessness, and humanity.
I think everybody should read the story. It doesn't matter if this would be your first Holocaust story or your hundredth; it's such an important part of history and reading these books help to keep survivors' stories alive. We owe the survivors, and everyone who ever entered a concentration camp, that much.
