The Tattooist of Auschwitz: A Novel

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 171,123 ratings

Price: 16.53

Last update: 01-24-2025


About this item

This beautiful, illuminating tale of hope and courage is based on interviews that were conducted with Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov - an unforgettable love story in the midst of atrocity.

In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a Tätowierer (the German word for "tattooist"), tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners.

Imprisoned for more than two and a half years, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism - but also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive.

One day in July 1942, Lale, prisoner 32407, comforts a trembling young woman waiting in line to have the number 34902 tattooed onto her arm. Her name is Gita, and in that first encounter, Lale vows to somehow survive the camp and marry her.

A vivid, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful recreation of Lale Sokolov's experiences as the man who tattooed the arms of thousands of prisoners with what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is also a testament to the endurance of love and humanity under the darkest possible conditions.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Thelma
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Lale for your Amazing story!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2021
    I was waiting to read Three sisters the third book of this series but when I found that I had to read the first three books of The Tattooist of Auschwitz I decided to start from the beginning and pick up the first book of this series.

    I'm happy that I did that as The Tattooist of Auschwitz was an amazing story and book that I really was missing from it.. this is the story of Lale Sokolov and Gita.

    Lale was a Slovakian Jew, transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau on April 23, 1942, with the number 32407. He survived the worst because of his intelligence and charismatic ways to help and see through many of the other Jews and people who were constantly arriving at these camps as well as he spoke many languages that helped him to secure the most valuable opportunities and jobs to survive.

    Lale was the tattooist of the camp, a job that will provide him with food, jewels, and many favors that eventually can save his life and the life of many others, he trusted many but at the same time, he was careful to continue helping in a low key manner so the SS and the guards will not find out his moves around the camp.

    Lale's life was not an easy one to learn, what he went through in real life was hard for only one to endure. I was really sad to read many of the things he constantly had to endure thinking how can he still be so composed and not lose his mind? but after all, he was the glue that helped many to survive. I'm glad Lale's family was able to share his story with us. it is many of the amazing stories people have to hear and learn.

    The strength, the optimist, and the creativity Lale had, the way he was able to help others. people love him as he always brought hope. for sharing his food and many other things the other people needed in the camps, he was a great man.

    Gita was transported to Auschwitz on April 13, 1942, with the number 34902 she didn't know what was going to happen to her, she only fears she will lose herself in the middle of these walls. she was about to meet the only person that will matter the most and will change her life forever, he was the only one that was able to help her and her friends, he has become the reason for her to continue this journey called life.

    One of the saddest moments of the book definitely was the Gypsy part. it did break me and made me feel terrible. I wanted to hug Lale at that moment immensely

    Many great secondary characters helped to build this world, and helped Lale and Gitas during their journey, and also that contributed to Lale's work and life. Leon, was an amazing help, I cried so much with what he went through, he didn't deserve any of that he was a great friend to Lale, Gita, Dana, Ivana, Cilka, Jakub, even Baretski was a good character.

    The Tattooist of Auschwitz is the real story of Lale, a man who was kind, empathic, and with a heart of gold that his love for Gita was the only thing that helped him to survive the terrible things SS and the Nazis were constantly doing to them.

    Amazing book, I can wait to continue this journey.
  • Candice
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sad love story
    Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024
    Books like these that tell of a terrible part of history are always hard. It is a reminder of just how horrible and depraved humans can become when made to believe we are so different.

    As a semi fictional book the author does a good job telling the story of Lale and Gita. To find out that this is based on two very real people's story is both beautiful and heart breaking.

    I am a true believer that if we ever forget our history we are doomed to repeat ourselves. This story, although I'd not say written well in the traditional sense, is beautifully done. It shows how the Jewish people were resilient, and strong. That did what they had to, in order to survive.

    To be looked at as someone who agreed with what the Nazis were doing just so you could survive, to be scared of being called a conspirator after the hell you lived through is terrifying.

    Lale and Gitas story is one I'm glad was recorded. Even if it's not 100% what actually happened as far as some dialogue. It is one of I'm sure hundreds of thousands of incredible and devastating stories.

    To get a glimpse of some of the actual hell that was Auschwitz. But it also showed that not all Nazis hated all Jews completely. Not that what any of what they did was ok but that they didn't look at them as complete nothings.

    I hope this story makes it far. I hope that younger generations read this and know that no matter what we face having hope and the will to survive is enough.

    At the end when the author is talking to Lale and Gitas son, to hear how even as his parents lost everything, Gita would smile and song because they were together and that meant it would be ok. What a beautiful mindset to have. Sad but beautiful, how little anything worldly meant to her because she had lost everything important already once.

    I rated this 4 stars because it's a tragically beautiful love story. As I said it's not written in a traditionally great way. You wouldn't compare this to great authors and say that the authors writing was superb but the authors does tell a story, she does write in a way that gives you a small glimpse in to two peoples lives. For that I believe it's easily worth 4 stars.
  • Taylor Wilson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable and humbling read for a WWII enthusiast
    Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2024
    A remarkable and humbling read for a WWII enthusiast. This book allowed me to feel as if I was experiencing it myself. The writing was wonderful, and the stories were so humbling. May our world never experience this ever again.
  • Michelle Benson-Welch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing and heartbreaking story!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2025
    Excellent story that tears at your heart and soul. The details bring the story to life and make you feel all the emotions.

    • Best Sellers in

     
     

    Night, Forgotten

    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 71
    18.8
     
     

    Table for Two: Fictions

    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 13914
    19.69
     
     

    The Lost Apothecary: A Novel

    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 50920
    22.04
     
     

    The Measure: A Novel

    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 32626
    25.19
     
     

    The Dark Tower, and Other Stories

    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 307
    14.53
     
     

    Demon Copperhead: A Novel

    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 127746
    35.43
     
     

    Tom Lake: A Novel

    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 44205
    21.25
     
     

    The Nightingale

    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 349557
    21.65