What do you think?
Rate this book
The Tattooist of Auschwitz #1 - YA Edition
The Tattooist of Auschwitz: Young Adult Edition
Ï WILL LIVE TO LEAVE THIS PLACE.
I WILL WALK OUT A FREE MAN.'
In April1942, Lale Sokolov wa transported by catttle train to Auschwitz- Birkenau, imprisoned, as were millions of others, for being born Jewish. He was given the task of tattoing numbers onto his fellow victims'arm to create what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust.
Waiting in line, shaking with terror, was a young woman called Gita. For Lale - full of life, even in this place of death - it was love at first sight. And he was determined that not only would he survive, but that Gita would too.
Based on real events, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is one of the most life-affirming, courageous, unforgettable and human stories of the Holocaust.
I WILL WALK OUT A FREE MAN.'
In April1942, Lale Sokolov wa transported by catttle train to Auschwitz- Birkenau, imprisoned, as were millions of others, for being born Jewish. He was given the task of tattoing numbers onto his fellow victims'arm to create what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust.
Waiting in line, shaking with terror, was a young woman called Gita. For Lale - full of life, even in this place of death - it was love at first sight. And he was determined that not only would he survive, but that Gita would too.
Based on real events, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is one of the most life-affirming, courageous, unforgettable and human stories of the Holocaust.
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2019
98 people are currently reading
3078 people want to read
About the author
Heather Morris
31 books9,298 followersI am a Native of New Zealand now resident in Australia, working in a large public hospital in Melbourne. For several years I studied and wrote screenplays, one of which was optioned by an academy award winning Screenwriter in the U.S. In 2003, I was introduced to an elderly gentleman "who might just have a story worth telling". The day I met Lale Sokolov changed my life, as our friendship grew and he embarked on a journey of self scrutiny, entrusting the inner most details of his life during the Holocaust. I originally wrote Lale's story as a screenplay - which ranked high in international competitions - before reshaping it into my debut novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
June 10, 2019
I was quite disappointed with this novel. After all the hype, I thought I should read it and purchased the YA Edition for the library. I'm not sure how this novel has been so revered though ... I skimmed parts to get it finished.
May 18, 2019
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for letting me read and review this book. The Tattooist of Auschwitz has been the greatest book I have read this year so far. I was very apprehensive about starting it because of the topics it covers, but I absolutely loved it. Lale’s story is definitely a story that every person should read.
This book was a lot of firsts for me, the first war story I’ve read outside of High School and the first book to ever make me cry. Yep it made me cry.
This book definitely isn’t for the faint of heart, especially once hitting only about 30 pages in; you experience Lale witnessing his first of many mass murders. It was hard to read, I almost gave up then. What kept me going was the reason Lale wanted his story told, for Gita he wanted everyone to know Gita. He also needed his story told so something like this would never happen again. I kept reading for this reason. The content got more intense as you read on, but let’s face it we need to know what millions of people went through. And I did it for Lale.
Lale and Gita on their honeymoon 1945
This book follows the choices of questionable morals that not only Lale had to make but many, many others in order to survive each and every day. Especially risking his life to get medicine for the love of his life Gita.
Something that really shocked me about this was how close Lale came to becoming one of the many victims of Doktor Josef Mengele, Lale saw first hand what Mengele did especially to his good friend Leon. Until reading this book I just didn’t make the connection just how many horrible people Lale survived. He is also probably one of the only Jews to walk out of one of the Gas chambers/crematorium and the Strafkompanie (penal unit) alive.
This book also tells us about Lale and Gita’s life after Birkenau and Auschwitz. It shows how their love grew from stolen moments they bribed from SS officers to having their Child Gary, fleeing Europe, to settling and living the rest of their lives in Australia.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz has definitely become a favourite for me. It will now become my go to book recommendation as well because everyone needs to read this. Heather Morris did an amazing job telling Lale’s story for him.
The reason for this book to be made into a YA version, for young people to read at school is because of the characterisation and rich detail of this courageous and unforgettable love story. It allows the young reader to reflect on the resilience of the human spirit, horrors of war and the shared humanity that connects people even in the worst circumstances. This book is worth the read. I am glad that I read it, I’m happy I got to know Lale and Gita’s story and that the message is being passed on that this cannot happen again.
This book also contains some extra materials that include classroom discussion points, photos, maps and documents; and other educational resources.
Here’s to Lale and his love for Gita for bringing this great book into my life. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Be warned though it does cover many very, very hard to read topics.
This book was a lot of firsts for me, the first war story I’ve read outside of High School and the first book to ever make me cry. Yep it made me cry.
This book definitely isn’t for the faint of heart, especially once hitting only about 30 pages in; you experience Lale witnessing his first of many mass murders. It was hard to read, I almost gave up then. What kept me going was the reason Lale wanted his story told, for Gita he wanted everyone to know Gita. He also needed his story told so something like this would never happen again. I kept reading for this reason. The content got more intense as you read on, but let’s face it we need to know what millions of people went through. And I did it for Lale.
Lale and Gita on their honeymoon 1945
This book follows the choices of questionable morals that not only Lale had to make but many, many others in order to survive each and every day. Especially risking his life to get medicine for the love of his life Gita.
Something that really shocked me about this was how close Lale came to becoming one of the many victims of Doktor Josef Mengele, Lale saw first hand what Mengele did especially to his good friend Leon. Until reading this book I just didn’t make the connection just how many horrible people Lale survived. He is also probably one of the only Jews to walk out of one of the Gas chambers/crematorium and the Strafkompanie (penal unit) alive.
This book also tells us about Lale and Gita’s life after Birkenau and Auschwitz. It shows how their love grew from stolen moments they bribed from SS officers to having their Child Gary, fleeing Europe, to settling and living the rest of their lives in Australia.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz has definitely become a favourite for me. It will now become my go to book recommendation as well because everyone needs to read this. Heather Morris did an amazing job telling Lale’s story for him.
The reason for this book to be made into a YA version, for young people to read at school is because of the characterisation and rich detail of this courageous and unforgettable love story. It allows the young reader to reflect on the resilience of the human spirit, horrors of war and the shared humanity that connects people even in the worst circumstances. This book is worth the read. I am glad that I read it, I’m happy I got to know Lale and Gita’s story and that the message is being passed on that this cannot happen again.
This book also contains some extra materials that include classroom discussion points, photos, maps and documents; and other educational resources.
Here’s to Lale and his love for Gita for bringing this great book into my life. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Be warned though it does cover many very, very hard to read topics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2021
A harrowing and compelling plot although I am not that fond with its storytelling (third-person point of view and too straightforward for me) but I still love that it digs into the notorious German death camp, telling a story of hope and survival, love and friendship, also on trust and courage.
Fast-paced with great characterization, short sentences which kind of a ticket to fast read this (but still I am a procrastinator reader tskk), the love story was lovely and as it was a fiction based on a true story of Lale Sokolov, I appreciate it when the author includes the additional section at the back on Lale's biographical info, extract on journals and documents at the concentration camp, the camp's structural map and Lale and Gita's photos.
A heart-wrenching tale, that glimpse of starvation, threats, all those violence and cruelty were depicted fairly well and riveting. A tragic life of Lale, quite exceptional and it leaves me with memorable fragment at the end.
Fast-paced with great characterization, short sentences which kind of a ticket to fast read this (but still I am a procrastinator reader tskk), the love story was lovely and as it was a fiction based on a true story of Lale Sokolov, I appreciate it when the author includes the additional section at the back on Lale's biographical info, extract on journals and documents at the concentration camp, the camp's structural map and Lale and Gita's photos.
A heart-wrenching tale, that glimpse of starvation, threats, all those violence and cruelty were depicted fairly well and riveting. A tragic life of Lale, quite exceptional and it leaves me with memorable fragment at the end.
June 22, 2024
Heel mooi verhaal, vooral indrukwekkend als je beseft dat het is gebaseerd op een waargebeurd verhaal. Helaas vond ik het wel te snel geschreven, ik miste wat meer omschrijvingen, waardoor het me wat minder deed. Had van mij dus veel uitgebreider gemogen! Vond de foto’s achter in het boek wel heel indrukwekkend! (Update: zie dat ik blijkbaar de YA versie heb gelezen van dit boek?! Geen idee of dat erg verschilt van het officieel..)
September 14, 2020
3.5 Stars
I haven't read a holocaust novel since The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas which tore me up leaving me turning my head away from these types of books - I read for escapism...
But, in an effort to maintain my momentum in my efforts to educate myself (on many subjects), I have decided to no longer turn a blind eye and man up, lol.
This story ripped my heart in shreds -this story could have been told in a much harsher way embellishing on the details, etc. but I am extremely grateful that it isn't; it does not detract from the horror of the events, though.
I did not like the author's writing style because it felt more like listening to a news report or something, but the flow was good and the imagery is there, I don't know if this is because I read the young adult version or not, but I have not read the original, so...
I still enjoyed this book, was surprised by the romance aspect (which was so sweet) and I am looking forward to Cilka's Journey.
I haven't read a holocaust novel since The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas which tore me up leaving me turning my head away from these types of books - I read for escapism...
But, in an effort to maintain my momentum in my efforts to educate myself (on many subjects), I have decided to no longer turn a blind eye and man up, lol.
This story ripped my heart in shreds -this story could have been told in a much harsher way embellishing on the details, etc. but I am extremely grateful that it isn't; it does not detract from the horror of the events, though.
I did not like the author's writing style because it felt more like listening to a news report or something, but the flow was good and the imagery is there, I don't know if this is because I read the young adult version or not, but I have not read the original, so...
I still enjoyed this book, was surprised by the romance aspect (which was so sweet) and I am looking forward to Cilka's Journey.
May 23, 2019
I didn't read the young adult edition. I read the actual book, but I don't know how to change this to the not young adult version. This book was a page-turner, exciting, heart-breaking, and based on a true story. How people could be this evil and lie down to sleep at night is beyond me.
August 24, 2023
Difficult to turn the pages yet with an expectation of life moving forward. The authors notes in the back were so very interesting, don’t skip that part to the end.
March 19, 2022
3.5
These books are important, books like these finally tell a tale of these people, painting a picture of the horrific events at the camps, I was speechless after reading.
This book is based on true events, there really was a Lale and Gita. It's so compelling that once you get into the story, you don't get out. I had never read books that talked of everything in the camps, and if I had, they definitely differ from this.
The plot follows Lale Sokolov, a New imprisoned in Auschwitz-Birkenau (also known as Auschwitz 2) Lale eventually is given an offer, to tattoo numbers on new prisoners' arms, these tattoos identified one prisoner from another. After tattooing a young girl, their paths cross again and again. They both start to fall in love, the fact that they found some semblance of happiness during this awful period is written so well.
Love at first sight, it was.
I was concerned about if it would go into too much detail. Thankfully it didn't because the fact I could visualise it enough in my mind is a testament to how Heather Morris has made this story come alive again in my mind.
The writing, while not my favourite still did the job. It really changes with the characters' emotions, with the bright spots in Lale's time (Gita and the gypsies), it has a brighter tone. The writing was hard to get through with its style, and also because of what it was about. The writing about Mengele shocked me, I was horrified, while I knew what he did throughout the war, seeing Lale's friend be affected and then realising how many people suffered during the war at the hands of this man.
The writing is very descriptive, I managed to visualise scenes quite easily and that's important for a story like this in particular.
The fact that these characters were real people definitely brings this story closer. This isn't just fiction, these people really did suffer.
Lale was such a complex character. His emotions warring within was portrayed quite well. He was a prisoner helping the enemy unwillingly and yet he uses this for good, using his privilege the help the less privilege. It shows how kindhearted people can be even in these horrid circumstances.
I loved how he managed to find some happiness during this time, with Gita and the Gypsies yet in the dark times, his personality changed completely.
Gita was also a great character, she was kind and quiet yet could be strong in other ways. She slapped Lale a few times, she was strong but didn't show it.
Love at first sight was actually real here, and later on their love only grows.
Even after they are freed, they go onto to live a good life.
I loved the fact that this book detailed their struggles after liberation and it went on to detail how they lived out the rest of their lives
Honestly, the complexity of the characters was what I loved and how Lale struggled every day to do what he had to do.
This book was feminist in a very understated yet powerful way, and I was really invested in that.
"Whatever happens tomorrow will happen to all of them . Together they will live or die"
I loved how the other people had roles to play too, the author focuses on Cilka's struggles and Leon coping after being with Mengele.
Also the fact all these people suffered at Auschwitz and when Lale talks of it to someone, that someone has never heard of it and that astounded me.
Overall, this book was really powerful with writing that allowed you to visualise the book. The fact these events happened is horrible but we must take solace on that the more we know, the more we can hope this doesn't happen again.I didn’t know how I would go with this book but I am so glad I picked it up.
These books are important, books like these finally tell a tale of these people, painting a picture of the horrific events at the camps, I was speechless after reading.
This book is based on true events, there really was a Lale and Gita. It's so compelling that once you get into the story, you don't get out. I had never read books that talked of everything in the camps, and if I had, they definitely differ from this.
The plot follows Lale Sokolov, a New imprisoned in Auschwitz-Birkenau (also known as Auschwitz 2) Lale eventually is given an offer, to tattoo numbers on new prisoners' arms, these tattoos identified one prisoner from another. After tattooing a young girl, their paths cross again and again. They both start to fall in love, the fact that they found some semblance of happiness during this awful period is written so well.
Love at first sight, it was.
I was concerned about if it would go into too much detail. Thankfully it didn't because the fact I could visualise it enough in my mind is a testament to how Heather Morris has made this story come alive again in my mind.
The writing, while not my favourite still did the job. It really changes with the characters' emotions, with the bright spots in Lale's time (Gita and the gypsies), it has a brighter tone. The writing was hard to get through with its style, and also because of what it was about. The writing about Mengele shocked me, I was horrified, while I knew what he did throughout the war, seeing Lale's friend be affected and then realising how many people suffered during the war at the hands of this man.
The writing is very descriptive, I managed to visualise scenes quite easily and that's important for a story like this in particular.
The fact that these characters were real people definitely brings this story closer. This isn't just fiction, these people really did suffer.
Lale was such a complex character. His emotions warring within was portrayed quite well. He was a prisoner helping the enemy unwillingly and yet he uses this for good, using his privilege the help the less privilege. It shows how kindhearted people can be even in these horrid circumstances.
I loved how he managed to find some happiness during this time, with Gita and the Gypsies yet in the dark times, his personality changed completely.
Gita was also a great character, she was kind and quiet yet could be strong in other ways. She slapped Lale a few times, she was strong but didn't show it.
Love at first sight was actually real here, and later on their love only grows.
Even after they are freed, they go onto to live a good life.
I loved the fact that this book detailed their struggles after liberation and it went on to detail how they lived out the rest of their lives
Honestly, the complexity of the characters was what I loved and how Lale struggled every day to do what he had to do.
This book was feminist in a very understated yet powerful way, and I was really invested in that.
"Whatever happens tomorrow will happen to all of them . Together they will live or die"
I loved how the other people had roles to play too, the author focuses on Cilka's struggles and Leon coping after being with Mengele.
Also the fact all these people suffered at Auschwitz and when Lale talks of it to someone, that someone has never heard of it and that astounded me.
Overall, this book was really powerful with writing that allowed you to visualise the book. The fact these events happened is horrible but we must take solace on that the more we know, the more we can hope this doesn't happen again.I didn’t know how I would go with this book but I am so glad I picked it up.
July 27, 2019
Well this is a difficult one to review!
I think it had so much potential, that it unfortunately didn’t quite live up to. Bad bits first, so I can finish on a positive.
1. I kept waiting for the story to go somewhere. Ok, so I know this book was based on real and terrible events, but it reads like a simple description of Lale’s time at Auschwitz, rather than as a novel - I don’t feel like there is a climax as such. I also don’t feel like it’s impressed upon the reader very well how terrible the events really were.
2. I feel like more time could have been given to Lale’s leaving Auschwitz and his life before he finally got home. This part of the book felt rushed and it was disappointing that after finding refuge, we hear very little of Gita until the pair reunite at the end of the story.
3. I think Lale was the only well-written character, who felt multi-dimensional. Baretski was OK too but so much more could have been explored with him; I would have loved Lale to have helped him change his ways somewhat, at least outside the concentration camps; of course this would have required much poetic license but it IS a novel.
4. Lale seemed to know too much from the start. Of course, with hindsight, he would tell the story knowing more than he was aware of at the time, but in its novelisation, I didn’t feel that he was as shocked and distressed by events as he actually might have been.
2. I didn’t like that the whole thing was written in the present tense. I think this was done to make it feel more immediate and close in time and vital, but it added to that descriptive, rather than story-telling, vibe.
Now for the parts I liked:
1. I loved knowing that this was a real story and knowing that it would have some kind of happy ending. I particularly enjoyed the section at the end with photos of Lale and Gita and I liked knowing what they went on to do in their lives.
2. I enjoyed Lale’s character development and thought that he was really well written, though this did make Gita’s character seem especially flat; when reading the author’s notes I think this is because she didn’t meet Gita so was having to create a character for her only from Lale’s recollections.
3. I think this story has been very sympathetically written, considering the author is not Jewish. It is very gentle and would be a great first introduction to the subject for young readers, e.g 11-13 year olds.
Overall, I think there are probably better novels about the Holocaust but I did enjoy reading about Lale Solokov’s life. I think it would have been better written as a biography or memoir than a story - I wanted more description and depth than I got.
I think it had so much potential, that it unfortunately didn’t quite live up to. Bad bits first, so I can finish on a positive.
1. I kept waiting for the story to go somewhere. Ok, so I know this book was based on real and terrible events, but it reads like a simple description of Lale’s time at Auschwitz, rather than as a novel - I don’t feel like there is a climax as such. I also don’t feel like it’s impressed upon the reader very well how terrible the events really were.
2. I feel like more time could have been given to Lale’s leaving Auschwitz and his life before he finally got home. This part of the book felt rushed and it was disappointing that after finding refuge, we hear very little of Gita until the pair reunite at the end of the story.
3. I think Lale was the only well-written character, who felt multi-dimensional. Baretski was OK too but so much more could have been explored with him; I would have loved Lale to have helped him change his ways somewhat, at least outside the concentration camps; of course this would have required much poetic license but it IS a novel.
4. Lale seemed to know too much from the start. Of course, with hindsight, he would tell the story knowing more than he was aware of at the time, but in its novelisation, I didn’t feel that he was as shocked and distressed by events as he actually might have been.
2. I didn’t like that the whole thing was written in the present tense. I think this was done to make it feel more immediate and close in time and vital, but it added to that descriptive, rather than story-telling, vibe.
Now for the parts I liked:
1. I loved knowing that this was a real story and knowing that it would have some kind of happy ending. I particularly enjoyed the section at the end with photos of Lale and Gita and I liked knowing what they went on to do in their lives.
2. I enjoyed Lale’s character development and thought that he was really well written, though this did make Gita’s character seem especially flat; when reading the author’s notes I think this is because she didn’t meet Gita so was having to create a character for her only from Lale’s recollections.
3. I think this story has been very sympathetically written, considering the author is not Jewish. It is very gentle and would be a great first introduction to the subject for young readers, e.g 11-13 year olds.
Overall, I think there are probably better novels about the Holocaust but I did enjoy reading about Lale Solokov’s life. I think it would have been better written as a biography or memoir than a story - I wanted more description and depth than I got.
July 18, 2019
Flawless hero character. Slovakian. Survival.
Story: The story begins in a cattle car, stuffed with human passengers soon to be prisoners. They don't know where they are going but one man remains positive and hopeful among the group. Lale, whose life, along with those standing alongside him, will become a matter of survival, day by day, in Auschwitz.
Language: This book has a low lexile rating. I read the YA version (by accident) and for the first hundred pages I was disappointed at how simplified the story and language was. I went scouring online to find out what the difference between the YA and adult version were and found an audio sample of the first few pages of the book. And it was the exact same, word for word. I started reading reviews and finding repeated comments on the lack of depth. And I realized the YA version was basically the same as the adult (I read there are some edits and cuts). How disappointing. Everything is told as more of a soap opera than a war novel. Action happens action happens action happens and all the characters just follow along one dimensionally. No inner conflict. No development.
Characters: Lale is the main character, and based on a true story. However his book character is absolutely flawless. He's smiling and a ray of sunshine no matter what. Everyone around him looks up to him and think he's fantastic, male and female. Even some of the SS like him.
I would have liked this book had it been a biography. But this fictionalized and romanticized version of events to me ignores completely, or covers up in a major way, the true and daily horrors of Auschwitz. I read the hot key book version and it's descriptors on the back cover are love, survival, history and truth with a warning for some strong language. Seriously? Perhaps this should be classified as a romance novel and not historical fiction. Survival? I think we only see a sliver of what prisoners had to do to survive. History? I think a lot has been left out or modified. Truth? No, fiction. And a warning for strong language? What about all the horror and violence - physical and sexual?
Read this if you are looking for a romance novel set in Auschwitz. If you are looking for a Holocaust novel, seek elsewhere.
Story: The story begins in a cattle car, stuffed with human passengers soon to be prisoners. They don't know where they are going but one man remains positive and hopeful among the group. Lale, whose life, along with those standing alongside him, will become a matter of survival, day by day, in Auschwitz.
Language: This book has a low lexile rating. I read the YA version (by accident) and for the first hundred pages I was disappointed at how simplified the story and language was. I went scouring online to find out what the difference between the YA and adult version were and found an audio sample of the first few pages of the book. And it was the exact same, word for word. I started reading reviews and finding repeated comments on the lack of depth. And I realized the YA version was basically the same as the adult (I read there are some edits and cuts). How disappointing. Everything is told as more of a soap opera than a war novel. Action happens action happens action happens and all the characters just follow along one dimensionally. No inner conflict. No development.
Characters: Lale is the main character, and based on a true story. However his book character is absolutely flawless. He's smiling and a ray of sunshine no matter what. Everyone around him looks up to him and think he's fantastic, male and female. Even some of the SS like him.
I would have liked this book had it been a biography. But this fictionalized and romanticized version of events to me ignores completely, or covers up in a major way, the true and daily horrors of Auschwitz. I read the hot key book version and it's descriptors on the back cover are love, survival, history and truth with a warning for some strong language. Seriously? Perhaps this should be classified as a romance novel and not historical fiction. Survival? I think we only see a sliver of what prisoners had to do to survive. History? I think a lot has been left out or modified. Truth? No, fiction. And a warning for strong language? What about all the horror and violence - physical and sexual?
Read this if you are looking for a romance novel set in Auschwitz. If you are looking for a Holocaust novel, seek elsewhere.
December 30, 2019
Such a captivating read, I could not put this book down.
A beautiful story of love in hell on Earth.
Something that really touched me was how all the pain and unimaginable suffering they faced and all their horrible and wonderful life experiences made their life after Auschwitz so wonderful.
Reading their sons afterword was so moving. To see all the love and life they poured into their family even after everything was so warming to me.
10/10 read, I feel very lucky to have been able to read this book.
A beautiful story of love in hell on Earth.
Something that really touched me was how all the pain and unimaginable suffering they faced and all their horrible and wonderful life experiences made their life after Auschwitz so wonderful.
Reading their sons afterword was so moving. To see all the love and life they poured into their family even after everything was so warming to me.
10/10 read, I feel very lucky to have been able to read this book.
August 14, 2022
This was a very well written story! I would give it five stars but reading it straight after the three sisters the stories seemed quite similar. Heather Morris is a very gifted author!
January 18, 2024
Ik ben afgelopen jaar naar Auschwitz en Birkenau geweest. Wat ik daar heb gezien, gevoeld en gehoord heb ik daarna eigenlijk redelijk snel in een ver hoekje van mijn hoofd weggestopt. De verhalen waren zó heftig dat ik niet goed wist wat ik daarmee aan moest.
Een paar maanden later was ik er aan toe om me er verder in te verdiepen. Nu heb ik dit boek gelezen en het zet me weer helemaal stil. In mijn hoofd zie ik de plekken in de kampen waar gebeurtenissen uit het boek zich afspelen en dat maakte het akelig levendig. Het verhaal van Lale is een verhaal wat het absoluut waard is om verteld te worden: opdat wij niet vergeten. Opdat wij blijven herdenken wat voor vreselijks Holocaust-overlevers hebben meegemaakt. Opdat we dankbaar mogen zijn voor onze vrijheid, en vrede blijven nastreven in een wereld waar dat nog altijd niet voor iedereen vanzelfsprekend is.
Ik vond het een prachtig boek dat ik iedereen zou aanbevelen die meer wil weten over het leven in Auschwitz Birkenau. Ook (en juist!) als je het kamp niet bezocht hebt. Een boek wat je af en toe even weg moet leggen omdat het je te erg aangrijpt, maar een verhaal wat het dus meer dan waard is om te lezen.
Een paar maanden later was ik er aan toe om me er verder in te verdiepen. Nu heb ik dit boek gelezen en het zet me weer helemaal stil. In mijn hoofd zie ik de plekken in de kampen waar gebeurtenissen uit het boek zich afspelen en dat maakte het akelig levendig. Het verhaal van Lale is een verhaal wat het absoluut waard is om verteld te worden: opdat wij niet vergeten. Opdat wij blijven herdenken wat voor vreselijks Holocaust-overlevers hebben meegemaakt. Opdat we dankbaar mogen zijn voor onze vrijheid, en vrede blijven nastreven in een wereld waar dat nog altijd niet voor iedereen vanzelfsprekend is.
Ik vond het een prachtig boek dat ik iedereen zou aanbevelen die meer wil weten over het leven in Auschwitz Birkenau. Ook (en juist!) als je het kamp niet bezocht hebt. Een boek wat je af en toe even weg moet leggen omdat het je te erg aangrijpt, maar een verhaal wat het dus meer dan waard is om te lezen.
June 22, 2021
I enjoyed the love story between the characters and appreciated that the writer kept the seriousness of the Holocaust in the story. The book is definitely a quick read and you get so involved in the character's journey that you don't want to stop reading. I enjoyed the conversations at the end of the book with the writer and the son. This little addition gave the story even more depth and connection. Great read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2024
I quite liked this book because while it was based on someone’s experience during a time in history it didn’t feel like I was reading a history book. The chapters were short which I liked as well as the overall way it was written. Lale and Gita’s love story goes through so much and yet at the end they make a life together that they love. This is a really good book because you get to read a good book while still learning about an important event in history.
August 9, 2021
Quite a harrowing tale as it retells the story/life of Lale and Gita and their survival of one of the most brutal acts of human history. In amongst all of the horrors of this story one fact remains and shines like a beacon...they both survived. Miraculously somehow they survived and lived to tell this tale.
Read
January 12, 2025I didn’t actually read the Young Adult edition, but only because I didn’t know it existed. So I chose that option to help spread the word. I’m assuming that version leaves out some more intimate scenes and language.
I listened to the audiobook, read by Richard Armitage. It was, of course, superbly done.
I did not realize it was based on a true story until the epilogue.
I listened to the audiobook, read by Richard Armitage. It was, of course, superbly done.
I did not realize it was based on a true story until the epilogue.
June 4, 2022
Both beautiful and devastating, I really enjoyed the writing style and the way the author wrote the story around both the facts and the perspective of Lale (who was an actual person who told her his story).
May 29, 2024
I didn't realise this was a novel for younger readers when I got it, but it was so, incredibly moving. Lale, such a positive person. He always thought about what his life would be like when he was a free man. Gita, a more realistic woman, charmed by Lale. Such beautiful love in such a horrific setting.
June 28, 2019
Very engaging
May 2, 2020
This story is strangely hopeful despite the dark setting. I really enjoyed this one & would be interested to read the follow up book.
March 6, 2025
Made me feel close to manny
June 18, 2019
Adored this book. So powerful. Gets your attention immediately and guides you into a personal history from a perspective you wouldn’t have thought of.
February 9, 2021
This was an incredible read! It’s such a beautiful tribute to what was one of the most terrible moments in history. An important story to be told. Thank you Heather Morris for telling us Lale and Gita’s story and opening our eyes to the horrors of the Holocaust.
August 9, 2023
*Minor spoiler (it happens at the beginning of the book) *
I liked this book with the exception of one thing. They fell in love at first sight. Which is something that for me doesn't make much sense. But it is great to take inspiration from real events and turn them into books (this is not a biography, but is still based on a read story).That way we can remember the past and that is truly important .
I liked this book with the exception of one thing. They fell in love at first sight. Which is something that for me doesn't make much sense. But it is great to take inspiration from real events and turn them into books (this is not a biography, but is still based on a read story).That way we can remember the past and that is truly important .
July 21, 2020
Obviously a deeply sad book, but also hopeful, full of love, resilience and gratitude.
However, I wished it had delved deeper into Gita's life and personality. Also, I think it was Lale's way of dealing with the suffering he endured, but his coldness and lack of feeling to so much of the suffering was sometimes a bit chilling.
However, I wished it had delved deeper into Gita's life and personality. Also, I think it was Lale's way of dealing with the suffering he endured, but his coldness and lack of feeling to so much of the suffering was sometimes a bit chilling.
December 5, 2019
An extremely powerful and important read.
December 27, 2021
The Tattooist of Auschwitz marks the story of Lale, a man who was sent to a concentration camp in Germany, throughout World War II and ended up being the Tätowierer. Throughout his time, Lale ends up meeting a girl, Gita, and falls in love with her throughout the horrors they both live in.
In terms of prose and writing, it wasn't my favorite. Morris relies heavily on dialogue and conversation. Her writing lacks fluidity, scenes are often short and then cut off to move to the next important part. It felt like a play than a story, which might be the case since she actually writes screenplays. Honestly, sometimes the characters felt dull and uninteresting. I didn’t feel any connection with the characters whatsoever, I couldn't really go through the emotions they felt or understand their point of view.
The characters' emotions and expressions suffered greatly because of the heavy reliance on the dialogue. For example, when Lale and Gita reunite, there was just nothing. It felt so bland as if someone was writing a report. Then there is the way the author describes things or lack thereof. The author 'tells' the reader what happens rather than describing the events in scenes filled with emotion and action. When Lale was mourning over the death of some people in Auschwitz, it was told as if it was from the point of view of someone watching the scene unfold from afar.
The writing overall lacked fluidity and proper prose, it felt like a bunch of scenes muddled up together with no consistency. I would honestly say that the book would have been much better if it were written by someone else.
Moving on to characters in general; Gita was alright. Nothing was very special about her, in the book her personality wasn’t very evident. She was just there, someone who Lale had fallen in love with. Lale, as the main character, was not someone I enjoyed reading about. He came off as creepy sometimes, he mentioned in the book that he believed he was 'flirting' with his mother to experiment on what girls liked and didn't like. Then the fact that he really enjoyed spending time with women. I mean, both of these phrases were mentioned and it rubbed me off in the wrong way.
Lale as a real person was also someone I disliked. This isn't something that is mentioned a lot in the story. But it was written in the epilogue that both Gita and Lale supported the formation of Israel and that disappointed me quite a bit. I don't support or condemn that, so I had to completely detach the real-life Lale from the character, or else I would have thrown the book away and never read it again.
I felt like I empathized more with the side characters in the book than the main one, I empathized with Leon, Cilka, and the people that Lale had shared blocks with. Their stories, even though weren't the main focus, were much more heartfelt to me.
Overall, this was an OK book. I wouldn't read it again and I wouldn't really recommend it. I believe there are better books about the holocaust that are much more accurate.
In terms of prose and writing, it wasn't my favorite. Morris relies heavily on dialogue and conversation. Her writing lacks fluidity, scenes are often short and then cut off to move to the next important part. It felt like a play than a story, which might be the case since she actually writes screenplays. Honestly, sometimes the characters felt dull and uninteresting. I didn’t feel any connection with the characters whatsoever, I couldn't really go through the emotions they felt or understand their point of view.
The characters' emotions and expressions suffered greatly because of the heavy reliance on the dialogue. For example, when Lale and Gita reunite, there was just nothing. It felt so bland as if someone was writing a report. Then there is the way the author describes things or lack thereof. The author 'tells' the reader what happens rather than describing the events in scenes filled with emotion and action. When Lale was mourning over the death of some people in Auschwitz, it was told as if it was from the point of view of someone watching the scene unfold from afar.
The writing overall lacked fluidity and proper prose, it felt like a bunch of scenes muddled up together with no consistency. I would honestly say that the book would have been much better if it were written by someone else.
Moving on to characters in general; Gita was alright. Nothing was very special about her, in the book her personality wasn’t very evident. She was just there, someone who Lale had fallen in love with. Lale, as the main character, was not someone I enjoyed reading about. He came off as creepy sometimes, he mentioned in the book that he believed he was 'flirting' with his mother to experiment on what girls liked and didn't like. Then the fact that he really enjoyed spending time with women. I mean, both of these phrases were mentioned and it rubbed me off in the wrong way.
Lale as a real person was also someone I disliked. This isn't something that is mentioned a lot in the story. But it was written in the epilogue that both Gita and Lale supported the formation of Israel and that disappointed me quite a bit. I don't support or condemn that, so I had to completely detach the real-life Lale from the character, or else I would have thrown the book away and never read it again.
I felt like I empathized more with the side characters in the book than the main one, I empathized with Leon, Cilka, and the people that Lale had shared blocks with. Their stories, even though weren't the main focus, were much more heartfelt to me.
Overall, this was an OK book. I wouldn't read it again and I wouldn't really recommend it. I believe there are better books about the holocaust that are much more accurate.
November 14, 2021
Impressive, strong positive emotions against the horror of WO II
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews