The Tattooist of Auschwitz

A Novel

By: Heather Morris

Narrated by: Richard Armitage

#1 New York Times Bestseller and #1 International Bestseller • Now a Peacock Original Series starring Harvey Keitel and Melanie Lynskey

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.

Great Story, Mediocre Production

I feel bad for the author that such a wonderful book wasn't given more time and attention to detail in the production. As others have said, it gets comical around Chapter 26 when words or names are spliced into the middle of sentences with a different voice. The production comes across as the result of a rushed effort to meet a short deadline. Excellent story, still worth a listen, but not at full price.

I hung on every word...

Because I generally listen to audible books while I’m driving or doing other things, I sometimes miss certain passages but THIS book stopped me in my tracks and I listened, focused, until the very last word of the afterword. This compelling story of the overriding strength of will to survive in the face of such horrors is a must read; made even more powerful by the TRUTH of it.

Excellent Read

Best book I have listened to in a long time. The reader was fabulous. Don't miss this one.

Wow

This book would be good for high school age and adults of all ages. The story of Lale and Gita is a powerful story of a strong love, determination, and heroism. “To save one is to save the world.” Lale always said. In such a dark time and place in humanity, Lale displays mental strength and perseverance over and over again. Truly incredible.

Love and humanity

A powerful story highlighting humanity and love during one of the darkest chapters of our human history. We'll written and read very well, too.