The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

 

"The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a story of two ordinary people in an extraordinary time, deprived not only of their freedom but also their dignity, their names, and their identities. It is Lale's account of what they needed to do to survive. Lale lived his life by the motto: 'If you wake up in the morning, it is a good day.' On the morning of his funeral, I woke up knowing it was not a good day for me, but that it would have been for him. He was now with Gita."

                   -from the Author's Note

This book is a both an incredible story of survival and a beautiful love story. Although described as a novel, it is based on the true story of Lale Sokolov who spent years in concentration camps as the tattooist of other prisoners. I was fascinated by the Author's Note where Morris shares an early meeting with Lale. How exciting to be able to interview the person who experienced such horrific events and lived to tell about it! What a privilege to actually get to know one's main character! As a bonus Lale's son, Gary adds an Afterword to share memories of his parents.

Lale Sokolov was taken to the camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1942. The speaker of multiple languages, he was assigned the role of tattooist, a job he hated but which likely kept him alive. He met the future love of his life, Gita, when he inked the number 34902 on her arm. He was very resourceful in making connections to help other prisoners, even at a great risk to himself. The book was not a comfortable one to read, since Lale witnessed many atrocities which are described. 

I am rating the book a 5; it is well-written and compelling.