In 1942, Lale Sokolov arrived in Auschwitz-Birkenau. He was given the
job of tattooing the prisoners marked for survival – scratching numbers
into his fellow victims’ arms in indelible ink to create what would
become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust.
job of tattooing the prisoners marked for survival – scratching numbers
into his fellow victims’ arms in indelible ink to create what would
become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust.
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 was determined not only to survive himself, but to
ensure this woman, Gita, did, too.
So begins one of the most
life-affirming, courageous, unforgettable and human stories of the
Holocaust: the love story of the tattooist of Auschwitz.
This is the beautiful true story of Lale and Gita who survived Auschwitz-Birkenau, with their love for each other holding them together. I’m a firm believer that the stories of the people who survived the Holocaust should never, ever be forgotten so as long as there’s books like this out there, I’ll read them. Lale Sokolov story is beyond amazing and without spoiling it, reading his reason for wanting the book to be written when it was definitely had my eyes filling up. Lale’s story is a little different to ones I’ve read before as he managed to get a job within Auschwitz which actually provided him with quite a bit of protection. It was so interesting to read about the relationships he formed with other prisoners, SS officers and workers brought in from neighbouring towns.
No review I write can do this powerful story justice, you honestly need to read it for yourself. It’s only a very short story but manages to pack in lots of detail about Lale’s life before, after and during the Holocaust. Personally I could have read a much longer version of Lale’s life but this was still a great book.
Rating: ★★★★★
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