The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Book 2 of 2020

This is a story about love and life enduring despite great oppression. To be able to believe living through the horror of this book’s setting is possible, you must also believe that the selflessness and kindness of the fellow prisoners is also possible.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz, is a fiction book based on the real life of Lale Sokolov. Lale was was the tattooist at Auschwitz and Birkenau, a survivor. The story is centered on a man fate selects to be the assistant to the Tatowierer (german for tattoo artist) when he gets off the cattle car at the concentration camp.

When he becomes the Tatowierer, which provides him a better, higher position within the camp. He uses this rank, to become a getter of things. The women who go through the prisoner possessions when they arrive, steal money and gems, for Lale to use as currency thought out the camp. He provides food, medicine, and care to many around the camp despite the great danger using this contraband.

By helping so many around camp, when the time comes that he needs support, or he will be killed, a legion of people that he as assisted, selflessly some to his aid.

There are many dangers in camp for what he is doing. The book based in truth, has fictional elements, but also has may of the actual names of officers and doctors documented through history that were at the camp and who conducted experiments on prisoners.

The story is also a beautiful love story. Lale tattoos a young women Gita, and there is an instant connection. She does not share her actual last name until the camp is being evacuated because the Russians are coming. But their love, and vow to live until they can be free together, is a beautiful thread perfectly woven through the story. It is the ink of hope.

I enjoyed this book. It is beautifully written. It has photos of the couple as they have aged and lived and loved in life.  I recommend this book. It is a fast read with moments of joy despite the hopeless environment. I think we call can use that message every now and again.

Sending you love and light. Be Your Own JoyMaster. xoxoxox Lisa