The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Ratings6
Average rating4.7
15
Ratings6
Average rating4.7
I tattooed a number on her arm. She tattooed her name on my heart. In 1942, Lale Sokolov arrived in Auschwitz-Birkenau. He was given the job of tattooing the prisoners marked for survival - scratching numbers into his fellow victims' arms in indelible ink to create what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust. Waiting in line to be tattooed, terrified and shaking, was a young girl. For Lale - a dandy, a jack-the-lad, a bit of a chancer - it was love at first sight. And he was determined not only to survive himself, but to ensure this woman, Gita, did, too. So begins one of the most life-affirming, courageous, unforgettable and human stories of the Holocaust: the love story of the tattooist of Auschwitz.
Reviews with the most likes.
Wow, it's nice to have read a book that really lived up to the hype surrounding it (I've not always had the best of luck with those!)!
This book had everything from sadness, heartbreak, bravery, despair, and hope.
It was truly horrific reading about the atrocities faced by the prisoners of Auschwitz...and it makes you wonder how something so horrific could've been allowed to happen. One of the most awful crimes against to have occured.
I know Lale was the tattooist and he felt really guilty about it, but I think he did what he had to do in order to survive. I admired his bravery in trying to help his friends in whatever way he could.
I say the same for Cilka, who I can't believe was charged with being a collaborator and sent to Siberia for sleeping with the ‘enemy'! And for 15 years! Like she actually had a choice in the matter! It was either that or ending up dead, since I don't think the commander's ego would've been able to handle being turned down! Like one horror camp wasn't enough, she had to go through it all again!
Going back to Lale and Gita, it's admirable that they were able to build a life for themselves afterwards despite the horrific trauma they were put through in Auschwitz. I also love that they were able to find love in amongst all that daily terror, when never knowing if they would be surviving from one day to next.
I have loved reading this book and would definitely recommend it!
