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The Tattooist of Auschwitz

By: Heather Morris
Narrated by: Richard Armitage
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Publisher's Summary

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, two Slovakian Jews who survived Auschwitz and eventually made their home in Australia. In that terrible place, Lale was given the job of tattooing the prisoners marked for survival - literally scratching numbers into his fellow victims' arms in indelible ink to create what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust. Lale used the infinitesimal freedom of movement that this position awarded him to exchange jewels and money taken from murdered Jews for food to keep others alive. If he had been caught, he would have been killed; many owed him their survival.

There have been many books about the Holocaust - and there will be many more. What makes this one so memorable is Lale Sokolov's incredible zest for life. He understood exactly what was in store for him and his fellow prisoners, and he was determined to survive - not just to survive but to leave the camp with his dignity and integrity intact, to live his life to the full. Terrible though this story is, it is also a story of hope and of courage. It is also - almost unbelievably - a love story. Waiting in line to be tattooed, terrified and shaking, was a young girl. For Lale - a dandy, a jack-the-lad, a bit of a chancer - it was love at first sight, and he determined not only to survive himself but to ensure that Gita did, too. His story - their story - will make you weep, but you will also find it uplifting. It shows the very best of humanity in the very worst of circumstances.

Like many survivors, Lale and Gita told few people their story after the war. They eventually made their way to Australia, where they raised a son and had a successful life. But when Gita died, Lale felt he could no longer carry the burden of their past alone. He chose to tell his story.

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

What listeners say about The Tattooist of Auschwitz

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I didn' want it to end (I know that seems ghastly)

Would you consider the audio edition of The Tattooist of Auschwitz to be better than the print version?

As the subject matter was so harrowing there was something very reassuring about the calm, gentle voice of Lale telling his journey. It made it somehow easier to get through.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Tattooist of Auschwitz?

The story of liberation for the two of them. While we know only a tiny percentage of those who were sent to the death camps survived, it seems extraordinary that anyone did - let alone surviving for three years.

What about Richard Armitage’s performance did you like?

Lale's voice was so gentle and calm and it really helped with the horror of the story. The german and other accents were very good. However - the female voices always seems overly breathy and weak (these were women who were enduring untold horror sure, but they seemed too feeble at times). Also there seems to be a huge section where Lale's name has been edited in. Its very distracting. Its like it was pronounced wrong in the original recording and had to be edited over.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and no. I had to break it up (car journeys) and was always frustrated I couldn't keep listening. On the other hand the story was so harrowing you needed time for parts of it to sink in before you could progress.

Any additional comments?

By the end you were so committed to the characters you wanted to hear about the rest of their lives.

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35 people found this helpful

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Brilliant but hardest read yet

Lale's story was incredible. Horrific, sad, and entwined with a beautiful love story all at once. The hardest, most sobering book I have ever listened to.

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10 people found this helpful

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Loved it!

Loved the story, loved the narration. Incredibly heart-wrenching tale of love and survival in this horrendous time in world history.

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3 people found this helpful

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A new perspective on historical stories

It took a little to get into this book but persevere. It is so worth it. Beautifully told story.

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2 people found this helpful

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  • MJB
  • 29-05-2019

Heartmoving Story

Extremely well written novel but the narration was substandard. A continual change of tone throughout.

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2 people found this helpful

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captivating

the story is captivating, horrifying and enlightening with themes of hope and love. loved it

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Poignant and compassionate- a most beautiful love story

Such a hopeful and uplifting message during unspeakable and horrific endurance. This commendable performance from Richard Armitage (whom I love) simultaneously fills and breaks my heart. To travel along with (you can’t say characters- as they are real people) as they maintain their humanity whilst enduring what they have faced, is a privilege. Knowing this is two of the many million stories demonstrate the scourge of war and tyranny of the Nazis in particular. A beautifully, well told story of love and optimism.

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Block out your calendar

I was transfixed by this story. I listened every chance I got until the story was done. And I still wanted more. Great narration and such a moving story of both the best and worst of the human capacity ❤️

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Must Read....

A story of that highlights the worst, and best of humans and the will to do what is required to survive for love and life

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Heart felt

absolutely amazing story. to hear the pain and suffering of someone yet to go one for love is beyond amazing

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