This emotionally heavy historical book focuses on the true story of Lale Sokolov, the tattooist of Auschwitz, and his love for Gita.
Beginning in April 1942, the story focuses on the atrocities that occurred under the Nazi regime to those taken to concentration camps, particularly Auschwitz.
Lale, a respectable 24-year old Jewish Slovakian, is taken to Auschwitz in a crowded unhygienic wagon filled to the limit with other men. Using his natural charms, caring nature and life-saving strategies, he reluctantly becomes the tattooist of Auschwitz. While tattooing the new members of the concentration camp he lays eyes on a fragile woman who he later finds out is called Gita. The story follows the risks he took to survive, help feed fellow camp prisoners, while also collecting treats for his new love, Gita. Narrowly missing death numerous times, this book elicits the deepest emotions of fear, sorrow and despair, while also enticing you to fall in love with Lale and Gita’s prospering love in a situation that seems endlessly dark.
Heather Morris vividly brings Lale Sokolov’s story to life, providing a voice to a survivor of one of the most inhumane events in history, reflecting the horrors that many faced while slaved to the concentration camps.
I highly recommend this book to everyone, as a reminder of the worst of humanity, in the hopes that we will not allow the occurrence of a similar atrocity.
Rating: 5/5