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.
One thing I like about this description is how well the character is described. The book is explained well enough for lots of people to want to read. The Holocaust was not something exciting to learn about but is remembered by the survivors.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Lale is put in a dark situation he is still able to rise above and help those around him, showing how hope is found in this book. As a prisoner, many believed that they were powerless, but despite the hardships Lale was able to gain a bit of power and used it so that the fellow prisoners had a little light to live for each day. Even though this took place during the Holocaust, Lale is an example of how there can be light in the darkest of places.
ReplyDeleteHonestly i see this as something that has potential to become a classic ten, twenty, or even thirty years down the line. The stories and numerous different perspectives we've as a society have seen on concentration camps has massively impacted our current every day life. I find the social polarization between the two main characters as you described to be a new and exciting take I have yet to see in this style of book. Overall it seems like a fine read and something I and many others could enjoy but with some hesitation for those who take the subject of World War 2 Germany poorly.
ReplyDeleteI always loved books about history especially if the book is based on war. Last year we read a book that was based during hitlers time and I really loved it. Ever since then I have been trying to find a book similar to it. I think I’ve found my next book, the way you said how a girl in a concentration camp made Lale push and survive during his time there, really had me interested to see what he has to do to survive and be with her. You really have me intrigued and I think I might have to read it! Very well done!!
ReplyDeleteI love the way that your description of the book sells it. The way that you described the characters in detail and recollected on how reading the book made you feel truly makes me want to read it myself. From the way you described it this seems like an especially good and emotion evoking read. Last year for English we had to read books about the Holocaust and I feel as though I already have a good understanding of it but your description makes me want to read into it even further with this book. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThis book displays the harsh reality of life in concentration camps. It seems to put a different view on the camps though. normally you hear about the Holocaust and think the Jewish were just numbers and that is true but in this book it seems to be more than that. They trusted a Jew prisoner to do a job that a nazi would have done. This shows that although many Jews were strictly for labor, some of them had jobs like everyone else. Overall it seems very interesting.
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DeleteI agree that this book was beautifully written and it portrays how people lived life through being locked in camps. Lale throughout the book was looking for was to make life more enjoyable and easier on himself and others by bringing people more food and by being a very nice person. He helped people he didn’t know very well while also looking out for himself.
ReplyDeleteRight away this book seems interesting to me. I have always found stories about the lives of those kept in concentration camps to be very interesting and touching. I find it so interesting to read about all the different experiences that people went through, and I think that books like these help people to remember what had happened in the past so that future generations may not take the same steps and repeat what has happened.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really good book if your into a romantic story. Lale, who is the tattooist meets Gita and fall in love at a concentration camp in Birkenau. This book has a very interesting plot that really pulled my attention to read this book. Surrounded by dehumanization they still find a way out and eventually have a life together. This book is great.
ReplyDeleteA book with this story at first glance seems hard to write but based off of your blog Heather Morris executed this story very well and it shows how much care was put into a book with this serious of a topic. A book based off one of the darkest times in history is already something that can hit hard, but introducing a different view of someone who had little power and also was a prisoner gives two dynamics for one person. Lales's story of trying to find a way to freedom seems very compelling, heart wrenching, and interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis book seems really interesting because it is a romantic story about Auschwitz. It seems pretty interesting because Lale is a tattooist that finds someone to love in a concentration camp. I don't know if I could read this book because it seems like it could be very sad and I am not a big fan of sad books.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds very intriguing as it gives a different perspective than other books about the Holocaust have presented. When reading about the Holocaust previously, I had never considered what life was like for the prisoners that worked for the Nazis against the other prisoners. I hope that the romantic plot does not shine light away from the terrible life in the concentration camps to glorify it. Nonetheless, this book sounds like a read that I should add to my list.
ReplyDeletethis book is very interesting because it takes a dark time in history but still someone is able to find love even during this horrible time. this would be a great book to read.
ReplyDeleteThis book is really intriguing me because I like books that are based off true story´s and it takes place during the holocaust which is something I haven´t read a lot about but I want to know more of. Your book recommendation is really inspiring me to read this book. I´m definitely going to add it to my list and check it out!
ReplyDeleteI recently read this book after having it on my wish list for a long time. It did not disappoint! The struggle to remain compassionate, hopeful, and human during such a tragic time was inspiring. The story kept me engaged the entire time.
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