The Tattooist of Auschwitz

A Novel

By: Heather Morris

Narrated by: Richard Armitage

Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

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

Critic reviews

"Richard Armitage is a superb narrator whose performance here is among his best.... Armitage's performance captures every emotion from fear to trepidation to hope and even to love with understated warmth." (AudioFile)

"The audio version of this book is a particularly strong marriage of narrator and material. The British actor Richard Armitage uses an impressive variety of actorly tools as he shifts perspective.... He skillfully conveys the cruel, mocking tone that the SS officers and guards often used with prisoners as a way of reinforcing their power. Even when he isn't portraying a specific character, Armitage keeps the listener engaged and alert by modulating his tone, sometimes within individual sentences. At times it seems as if there are two narrators, so often, and ably, does Armitage vary his delivery.... [The author's] compassion for her characters, combined with Armitage's riveting delivery, makes this an immensely satisfying book to listen to, whatever else you might happen to be doing." (The New York Times Book Review)

"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 best-selling author of The Rosie Project)

Incredible story, performed brilliantly

An incredible story of perseverance and hope! I finished listening to the book this morning and I've been deeply affected, to say the least. Of course, I've read and learned much about the Holocaust in my lifetime, but this is a different perspective. And it's a first-hand account of one who was there. There were multiple times while listening that I had tears streaming down my face. One of the things that really stood out to me was the details of the individuals Lale met. You see each person as an individual with their own personal struggle to survive. And through the eyes of each person, you see a different experience during this dark time.

Richard Armitage is a MASTER of narration. You truly feel like you are listening to the actual people speaking, in all of their different dialects and accents- rather than just one man expertly stepping into their voices and experiences. Richard is truly a master of his craft. Thank you, Richard Armitage, for bringing this story to life in a way I'll never forget.

TREMENDOUS

I resisted this book for weeks, always passing it over for an " easier" title. I am so glad I " Bravely decided to delve into this book. It is extremely well written. If you enjoyed a gentleman from Moscow this is your next read.

Heart wrenching but powerful .

We need to remember the great sacrifice of those in the concentration camps, but, it is also important is to remember their lives.

Well written, harsh to listen to at times but very well done. I was a little disappointed in the reunion scene, but it was probably factual and I am just a listener.

Thoughts..

The voice is annoying at times, but the story is gut wrenching and very much worth the listen!

Never forget

this was an excellent written experience of a person who was involved directly in the death camps of Germany during World War II. it was not so graphic that it was repulsive but you definitely understand what a horrible time that was. this was a true story and should be read by many so we never forget.

An important addition to Nazi horror

A vivid harrowing true story of one man’s life as he suffered and survived in Auschwitz and Birkenwahl at the hands of the Nazi’s during WWII. Extraordinary performance by the reader.

Heartbreaking, powerful, and a must read

I dont think anyone of us will ever understand the depth of evil that happened there....and although this is based on Lale's life and experience, i realize it isn't all fact......but i did love this glimpse into his life.

His unbreakable optimistic attitude, and restlessness will to survive, read in sweet dulcet tones by Richard Armitage will have you saying "just ten more minutes" well into the night.......

the strength of love in the world's worst tragedy

very well written of moving emotion descriptive depiction of worst world tragedy. this is a story about ones inner strength and the motivation that love brings to fight and live to see tomorrow.

Loved every moment!

What an undeniably powerful story of human survival. It is hard to imagine that such events actually took place but to hear it read with honesty and sincerity I felt swept away.

chilling story. cannot be forgotten. the cruel of people, yet the kindest of one comes through.