The Tattooist of Auschwitz

By: Heather Morris

Narrated by: Richard Armitage

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, two Slovakian Jews who survived Auschwitz and eventually made their home in Australia. In that terrible place, Lale was given the job of tattooing the prisoners marked for survival - literally scratching numbers into his fellow victims' arms in indelible ink to create what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust. Lale used the infinitesimal freedom of movement that this position awarded him to exchange jewels and money taken from murdered Jews for food to keep others alive. If he had been caught, he would have been killed; many owed him their survival.

There have been many books about the Holocaust - and there will be many more. What makes this one so memorable is Lale Sokolov's incredible zest for life. He understood exactly what was in store for him and his fellow prisoners, and he was determined to survive - not just to survive but to leave the camp with his dignity and integrity intact, to live his life to the full. Terrible though this story is, it is also a story of hope and of courage. It is also - almost unbelievably - a love story. 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 determined not only to survive himself but to ensure that Gita did, too. His story - their story - will make you weep, but you will also find it uplifting. It shows the very best of humanity in the very worst of circumstances.

Like many survivors, Lale and Gita told few people their story after the war. They eventually made their way to Australia, where they raised a son and had a successful life. But when Gita died, Lale felt he could no longer carry the burden of their past alone. He chose to tell his story.

©2018 Heather Morris (P)2018 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

amazing story

what a true story. to hear the horrors of concentration camps from a survivor , and what he went through makes me feel blessed. he was a hero and survivor.

Amazing book. Couldn’t stop listening. What a story

Incredible. I loved this. It’s a true story and just such a compelling read. I’m sad to have finished it. Just such a wonderful example of the power of the human spirit.

Such a tender story

Important stories must be told over and over again. We may not think about what it took to survivs each day... For a story of survival this is filled with such heart break... Great narration.

Narrated with such sensitivity.

A beautifully respectful retelling of the harrowing life and love of two ordinary humans caught in circumstances outside of their control.
No excess words. None needed.
This ‘story’ (for want of a better word) gave me reason to reflect on the fact that even when it appears we have no power, when choice seems to have been removed far from us, we are still able to choose. We can choose love, compassion, and life until it is taken from us.

Apart from a few minor glitches in audio where recording obviously stopped and restarted, the narration was of a very appropriate speed and tone. Beautifully sensitive to the topic and laden with the emotion that becomes palpable to the listener. This book was not merely read. It was shared.

A profound story of love stronger than death

Profoundly moving .. what a testament to the human spirit... so moving... thank you for a sublime story of a love stronger than death...