The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris is a powerful novel based on the true story of Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew who was forced to work as the tattooist in Auschwitz-Birkenau during the Holocaust. The book tells the story of Lale's survival and his love affair with Gita, another Jewish prisoner in the camp. Morris's book is a haunting and heart-wrenching portrayal of the horrors of the Holocaust and the resilience of the human spirit.
The book begins in 1942 when Lale Sokolov is transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. He is given the job of tattooing identification numbers on the arms of new prisoners, and it is in this role that he meets Gita. Despite the horrors of the camp, Lale and Gita fall in love and vow to survive the war and build
…show more content…
While I wouldn’t consider her a “one hit wonder”, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is definitely her most popular book by a wide margin.
While Morris is not an authority on the subject of the Holocaust, she has conducted extensive research to ensure the accuracy of the historical details in her novel. She spent three years researching and writing the book, including visiting Auschwitz and consulting with Holocaust experts and survivors. She also drew from interviews and recordings with Lale Sokolov, the real-life inspiration for the book, who passed away in 2006.
Morris's educational background is in screenwriting, and she has worked as a script editor and producer for several Australian TV shows. While she does not have direct experience or participation in the Holocaust, her commitment to honoring the memories of the victims and survivors through her writing is evident in the care she took in researching and writing the
…show more content…
It was a good love story, and Lale, the main character, captured my attention and emotional support right away, which made me always want to continue reading, to see what he does next, and if the story will end with a happy ending.
I think Lale’s character, and the way he carried himself, really intrigued me. His kind and confident personality really resonated with me. I admire his willingness to give, and put others first. I think that, especially in the situations he was put in, it is remarkable how he could still put others before himself, and always be a kind friend to talk to. I always wondered how prisoners in the camps kept on living life, and they didn’t turn insane and turn against each other. But I now know it was people like Lale, that kept communities, even inside a concentration camp, together.
Picking a topic to read for this term was an absolute no-brainer for me. I knew immediately that I wanted to read about the Holocaust, and I even knew the book I was going to read. My mom and two of my sisters read The Tattooist of Auschwitz. They all said amazing things about the book, so I knew I needed to read it, I was just waiting for a time, and an excuse, to do so.
I chose to read about the Holocaust not only for the history, but because of the Jewish aspect of the