The Tattooist of Auschwitz: A Novel
Written by Heather Morris
Narrated by Richard Armitage
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
#1 New York Times Bestseller and #1 International Bestseller • Soon to be a Peacock Original Series
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.
“The Tattooist of Auschwitz is an extraordinary document, a story about the extremes of human behavior existing side by side: calculated brutality alongside impulsive and selfless acts of love. I find it hard to imagine anyone who would not be drawn in, confronted and moved. I would recommend it unreservedly to anyone, whether they’d read a hundred Holocaust stories or none.”—Graeme Simsion, internationally-bestselling author of The Rosie Project
In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover that 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 over 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 re-creation 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.
Editor's Note
Audie Award winner…
This moving story of love and hope amid atrocities (based on the real-life experiences of a Holocaust survivor forced to tattoo fellow prisoners at Auschwitz) won the 2019 Audie Award for fiction. AudioFile praises the “superb narrator” for capturing “every emotion from fear to trepidation to hope and even to love with understated warmth.”
Heather Morris
Heather Morris is a native of New Zealand, now resident in Australia. For several years, while working in a large public hospital in Melbourne, she studied and wrote screenplays, one of which was optioned by an Academy Award-winning screenwriter in the US. In 2003, Heather was introduced to an elderly gentleman who “might just have a story worth telling.” The day she met Lale Sokolov changed both their lives. Their friendship grew and Lale embarked on a journey of self-scrutiny, entrusting the innermost details of his life during the Holocaust to her. Heather originally wrote Lale’s story as a screenplay—which ranked high in international competitions—before reshaping it into her debut novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
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Reviews for The Tattooist of Auschwitz
4,724 ratings360 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was a novelized form of the true tale of Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew who is transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. While there it is discovered that he speaks 5 languages so he is made to the be the camp's tattooist. While there is meets a trembling young woman waiting to be tattooed, Gita, prisoner 34902. Using his "privileged" position Lale steals jewels and trades them for food morsels which he doles out to others. This is a story of hope and humanity even in the darkest hour. One of the best Holocaust books I have read. 288 pages
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Honesty of a horrible time on our history. The honor, and strength of two people it took to survive is amazing. The way it is written is beautiful and captivating. May their story live on forever.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Incredible story. Incredible narrator. I will definitely listen again in the future.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Not only was it well written, but the reader was amazing!
I was able to
Distinguish each character and invision what each character is going through. I didn't want to stop listening. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Such a deeply moving story of this time in our history. The characters are relatable and the horrors they endured are heart wrenching.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Truly heart wrenching. The writing and the The chosen narrator were Perfect.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Books on the holocaust tend to get a free pass and any criticism is met with shock and outrage so I will begin by saying that this was an engrossing and well written account of one couple’s experience. If I were a holocaust survivor or had immediate family members who were affected by these atrocities, I might be offended or upset by the tone of the story or how relatively normal Lale’s day to day life seems to be. To be specific, he seems to come and go as he pleases and appears to be relatively unfazed by the disappearance of his friend Leon. I don’t want to spoil the story since it is interesting and a good read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book rocked me to my core. I finished it yesterday and am still tearing up when I think about it. UGH! how do I pick up the second book in this series now????
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The heart-breaking and unforgettable international bestseller
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Set in a concentration camp, this is a beautifully told true story of love and survival amidst the horrors of the Holocaust.I listened to the audiobook & found the narrator’s emotion and accents were very effective and enhanced my experience (vs reading the book myself).
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was a heart wrenching, fantastically written book. Highly recommend, especially with the world the way it's going today!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5love historical fiction and this story filled my heart. love that it is based on a real life… and most importantly a happy ending
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beautifully written novel honoring the brave men and women who endured the holocaust.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Well written and read, heartbreaking and beautiful story of love and overcoming.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Heartbreaking… But so beautifully written. Definitely touches on some sensitive issues in our world history but offers a beautiful perspective of love and perseverance in the face of the most awful circumstances.Highly recommend this book!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absolutely soulwrenching! Perfect Narration! A MUST READ!!!! I was blown away
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This heartbreaking historical encounter from a Nazi prisoner and the beautiful story of love and survival. Highly recommend this book! The audio version does not disappoint. The narrator does an amazing job. You’ll be hooked.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An amazing story. I listened to this as an Audiobook and the narrator was fabulous. Some difficult content as it is a true account of the horrors of WWII but done in a respectful way and important that these stories are told.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A beautifully written book with a wonderful story that’s true!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5When I was younger, I read an assortment of books about Nazi Germany and the atrocities that were the camps. Listening to this story broke my heart in so many places. People who lived through this horrific time learned lessons which I feel are lost to the rest of us. As Gary said, "they'd just lost everything and Mom was singing".
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A warm and touching true story. Made me understand more about that time in the camps. Never do judge others. Because we don't know their deepest reasons or fears.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I applaud the effort, but there are major issues with the chronology of events. Either Mr. Solokov's memory is wrong or Mrs. Morris is incorrect in her retelling of his story. I am a Jewish Holocaust educator and understand that communicated accuracy is an absolute necessity when retelling the true events to future generations. Inaccurate timelines give credence to holocaust deniers, and unfortunately, this book falls into that camp.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Well written engrossing novel of a period in history that is almost too terrible to believe. But Morris skilfully takes this first hand account and presents it with tenderness in a story that you won't want to put down. The reader is first class, as I have found to be true with so many audio books from Bolinda.com.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing.. Really makes me appreciate what I have and showcases unbelievable human resilience. A great listen!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing story. I just can’t fathom this event. Recommended read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved this book! Best book from the WWII era I’ve read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Knowing this is based on a true story made the book that much better. It is a beautiful love story among all the horrors of war. So well written, I will add these to my wish list.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book is fantastic and i couldn't stop listening to it. Knowing what people lived through makes it much more important to never let the past repeat itself.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Test
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Jufcv - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It truly is a wonderful story of love and survival!