I just couldn't stop reading this book. I've read articles about the holocaust, but never a whole story before, and this helped me understand so much more about the horrors of what happened. How people survived, and what they did to survive such cruelty, beyond belief. Its a hard book to read, but threaded through it is a love story that endures all the horrors. I didn't realise, till the end, that it was a true story and to then see a photo of the Gita and Lale was a lovely surprise. Really recommend this book. Its a 5 star recommendation from me.

A beautifully written true story. The detail is amazing and harrowing. To hear this Lales story is so important, the suffering and ability to find optimism and love in amongst the worst depths of hell.

This is a harrowing, yet ultimately hopeful story. I was drawn in by the determination and love Lale and Gita show in the face of unimaginable brutality and death. But, and sadly this is a big but, I found the style of the writing really distracting and annoying. It felt like the author couldn't choose between writing in the form of a novel or biographical non-fiction which kept pulling me out of the events she described.

What an amazing book ... what an amazing story .... I don’t recall the last time I cried so much reading a novel ... it is a book that should be mandatory reading in schools... that man can be so cruel to each other .is not something I can comprehend .... but this novel based on a real story provides some hope for the human race ....

Have you ever wondered what you would do, if you were put in an extremely difficult situation? How would you survive? What sort of compromises would you be willing to make in order to pull through? Lale finds himself interned in a German work camp during the war, and quickly learns what it will take to survive. Lale will do anything to survive, even if it means making nice with German commanders in order to work the system that is breaking his people. This is the story of strength under persecution, and how one must sometimes twist their ethics in order to help themselves and the people around them. In doing so, Lale finds the love of his life, Gita, who is also a survivor above all else. This is a true tale of love and life, lived out under the direst circumstances. Sometimes the world is not as clear cut as it seems, and living in the gray area is the only way to make it through. A must read.

The true story of Lale - transported to Auschwitz in 1942. He became the person that tattooed the others who arrived there. This was how he met Gita - when he had re-tattoo her number. A story of horrible atrocities but above all love and survival.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

4.5 stars! My heart opened up and welcomed Lale in from the first page of this powerful story.

This is a truly unforgettable story of one man’s journey of survival through one of the most horrendous and appalling times in our history – Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz. Lale Sokolov survived the brutal hell known as Auschwitz for over two years where his “job” was to tattoo prisoners with their identifying number. What he endured and witnessed is nothing short of horrific and devastating.

The author, Heather Morris, did an outstanding job giving Lale a voice. I will not ever forget reading this life changing and emotional story. How wonderful that Lale’s legacy will live on through the wonderful work of Heather Morris. It is so important that stories like this are not forgotten.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and Heather Morris for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was sent a copy of The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris to read and review by NetGalley
The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a heart breaking but hope filled true story. It is written in an accessible and quite matter of fact way, somehow without sensationalizing the horrors of the concentration camps Auschwitz and Birkenau, but quietly telling the tale of the survival of two people who met and fell in love in the most unlikely of places.
It is almost more horrifying to read Lale’s story within the context of his day to day life knowing that for everyone in those camps the despicable horrors that occurred had to become the norm of existence. This true account of the Holocaust is a very humbling read and needs to be read and remembered for all time.

Lale Sokolov was the tattooist of Auschwitz, a Slovak Jew he was taken there and given the job of tattooing the new arrivals and it was here that he fell instantly in love with Gita his wife to be. He was an incredible man who used his unique position to try and help his fellow inmates in any small way that he could, no doubt saving many lives in the process and then surviving , marrying Gita and making a life for himself in Australia

This is such an amazing true story, I could not put it down until I had finished it, the subject matter is obviously harrowing but so interesting I am visiting Auschwitz later this year and I am so glad that I have read this book beforeI go.

The Tattooist Of Auschwitz by Heather Morris is a true story. It is a powerful story. It is a harrowing story. And it is a story that needs to be told in memory of the six million innocent men, women and children who perished in the holocaust.
Auschwitz was hell on earth. It was physical torture. It was mental torture. A place of unspeakable horrors. It was a place where people did what they had to in order to survive. "Choosing to live is an act of defiance, a form of heroism." Every man, woman and child in there was a hero. They must not be forgotten.
There were individual acts of bravery. People who did try to ease suffering. And people who would give their lives for the sake of another. "To save one is to save the world."
Auschwitz was the place where Dr Mengele was. His inhumanity to man knew no bounds. "Mengele, a doctor... who will cause more pain than he eases."
The Tattooist Of Auschwitz is a difficult read. It is not pleasant but we need to read it in memory of the six million. May we never forget them.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

This book was so raw, emotional and powerful. It was a struggle at times to continue reading, and I had to put it down and have breaks from it sometimes because it just made me feel so much. It really is amazing, but be prepared when you read it.

This was such a great book for me. I loved the characters especially and sped right through it.

I loved that, for the most part, the gas chambers, crematoriums and the other human atrocities were scenery. Not to say that it wasn't prevalent, but it wasn't the gist of the story.

The story was about a man who did everything he could to save himself and still be able to live with himself. And, also what he could do for the people around him. He was responsible for saving many lives by sneaking in food, hiding people, etc., whatever it took.

Such a great, great book! I loved it!!! A really strong feel good read, despite the atrocities, that had me speeding right through this one.

Thanks to Bonnier Zaffre and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a book that I will always remember, sweet, emotional, heart wrenching and very powerful.

A book about the holocaust like no other I have ever read.

Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is held prisoner at Auschwitz and falls in love with a fellow prisoner, Gita, this is a story about how love conquers all.

A stunning true story and an absolute must read.

This novel tells the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, 2 Slovakian Jews who survived Auschwitz.
This is an incredible novel which tells a beautiful story of the strength of love to survive against all odds, and the lengths that people will go to survive against the horrors of the Holocaust.
The courage that both Lale and Gita show during this novel is astounding, and the courage and strength that Lale showed in retelling and thus reliving this story after Gita's death in order that this novel could be written is so inspiring to read about.
This is an extremely harrowing topic for a novel, but the novel has moments of such light and beauty that it never becomes overwhelming, and the underlying current of the love between Lale and Gita is something beautiful to be privy to.
I actually learnt quite a lot about the Holocaust from this novel. It covers a lot of aspects of the concentration camps that I don't think are really covered in general discussions about it, and it definitely gave me a greater insight.
I would definitely recommend this novel to everyone, I would confidently label it a "must read". It is compelling and unputdownable, and so engaging. A special shout-out must be given to the author who has done a brilliant job of writing/telling Lale's story. Her compassionate and sensitive writing makes this narrative emotive and thought provoking, and ultimately adds to the overall power of the novel.
I enjoyed the way this novel made me think. It questions exactly what a human will do to survive a place like Auschwitz? And how does one deal with the guilt of being a survivor?

Wow what a brilliant book...enjoyed it from the first word to the last. Such a great insite as to what went on in the concentration camps.....A love story, a story of heartache, death, and every emotion you can think of.....Loved it couldn't put it down.

Moving, sad, and an emotional rollercoaster ride. A truly amazing and original story of survival during the Holocaust.

This book stayed with me for several weeks after I finished it and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Oh wow! I’d heard good things about this book but I don’t always share other people’s views so I started this book with an open mind. I found a tender, beautifully told, love story set in the harshest of situations.

I very rarely give a 5 star rating to books, saving that honour for the very best. This book is one of those.

I cannot recommend it highly enough & know that you will also fall in love with Lale & keenly feel his passion for Gita.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz, by Heather Morris, is a novel that I have been struggling to write a review for. How can a true, harrowing story be rated? The novel follows Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, as he lives his daily life Auschwitz and struggles to protect the love of his life, Gita, whom he meets in the camp. I really did appreciate it was inspired by the true events of a couple; both humbling and heartbreaking, I was captivated by their love story.

I felt like this point of view was incredibly original. Lale was not just a typical prisoner of Auschwitz concentration camp- he was the tattooist. I have never read any WWII fiction with this type of perspective and I was in awe of the atrocities he experienced were explained. The lengths that Lale goes through to protect Gita were astonishing and their will to survive was fascinating. I am always in awe whenever I read a Holocaust story.

Now, although I loved the general story, I did struggle with a few things. Something about this novel just felt very “young”. I’m not sure if it is supposed to be categorized as Young Adult but it really felt as if it was written with this audience in mind. This became a little bit distracting for me, especially since I struggle with YA. I also found the novel to be a little bit long; bits of the story became to feel incredibly redundant. I realize that, obviously, the Holocaust was filled with routines but for the sake of the written story, I felt like parts could have been shortened.

I also had a couple of issues with my actual copy of the novel which I realize are no fault of the author. I received an advanced reader’s copy of this novel through Netgalley and there were some issues about my actual copy that made it difficult to be completely engrossed in the story. Many of the paragraphs were repeated throughout the novel and some of the paragraphs were out of order (for example, in one chapter, a few paragraphs appeared at the beginning, the middle and the end of that chapter). This became distracting and took me out of the moment. However, this is just something to note with my general experience of the novel and I know that this should be fixed by the time the book goes to print.

Overall, I felt like the story was worth the read and any historical fiction fans will enjoy!

*thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Zaffre for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

4 stars.

Wow. Such a powerful story. Concentration Camps stories are always hard to read about, knowing that what happened, really happened. It is the worst type of horror story and yet, Lale and Gita somehow managed to fall in love and hold out hope for just another day, for a better time, going through unimaginable suffering. This story is so so heartfelt. The ending will have a few people in tears as it's really rather emotional but this is one story not to pass up. It needed to be told and I am so thankful that it was. This is one story that will be remembered.

There are books about concentration camps and then there is this book about Auschwitz. The others I've read can't even come close to comparing! In 1942 all Slovakian households are told they need to send one male household member 18 years of age or older to a concentration camp. He volunteered himself since his older brother was married and had children and he didn't want to break up the family. The journey starts out in a cattle cart where the men are so crowded they can't sit or lay down. They smell of urine and feces and sweat from fear,they were in these cattle carts for days being transported with no food or water. Unknown to them they are on their way to Auschwitz. The language is rough in the book as I am sure it was realistically . The torture is something that when describes just breaks your heart. The guards think nothing of shooting you for no reason and keep your eyes lowered . Lale manages to get the job of ‘Tetovierer’ or ‘Tattooist, he tattoos the incoming prisoners. In this harsh environment Lale does his best to give his extra portion of dinner to those needing it. When a group of women prisoners arrives he meets Gita and through the horror going on around them they manage to meet and get to know each other. He vows to marry her and eventually does. After escaping he returns home and realizes his parents were taken and killed shortly after he left,his brother has died but his sister is still living. Lale and Gita eventually make their way to Australia where they raise a son and have a successful life. After Gita's death Lale can no longer bear the weight of his life's story and he must tell it quickly before he meet's his beloved Gita again. What I didn't know when I read this story the whole way through as I was reading it is, oh my goodness it's actually based on Lale's true life story. The people in the book are not just character's in a made up fictional book, there were actual people that went through this torture for real. The author writes in such a way that you can feel, hear and see the things happening to the people.
Pub Date 11 Jan 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.