Review: Heather Morris "The Tattooist of Auschwitz."

Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/2KAdsYc

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Rineku

Synopsis: 

In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover that he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a Tätowierer (the German word for tattooist), tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners.

Imprisoned for over two and a half years, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism—but also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive.

One day in July 1942, Lale, prisoner 32407, comforts a trembling young woman waiting in line to have the number 34902 tattooed onto her arm. Her name is Gita, and in that first encounter, Lale vows to somehow survive the camp and marry her.

A vivid, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful re-creation of Lale Sokolov's experiences as the man who tattooed the arms of thousands of prisoners with what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is also a testament to the endurance of love and humanity under the darkest possible conditions.

Review: Jo

"The Tattooist of Auschwitz" was a brutally honest story of courage, survival and true love in the most heartbreaking of situations. Powerful, amazing and a must read. I haven't stopped thinking about this book since I turned the final page. 

"Every day of your life, if you wake up in the morning it's a good day, 

live the life the best you can," 

Craving a book that would wow me, I remembered that I had this novel on my kindle, waiting for me to pluck up the courage to read what I knew would be an emotional read. I was instantly pulled in to Lale's account of his real life story of how he survived the most hellish place on earth and found his soulmate. I was transfixed, but also horrified at the treatment that Lale, Gite and the other prisoners dealt with at the hands of the evil SS officers. 

"As they disappear into the darkness, Lale makes a vow to himself. 

I will live to leave this place. I will walk out a free man. 

If there is a hell, I will see these murderers burn in it."

This wasn't a comfortable read, nor was it a love story filled with hearts and flowers. However it was a story that took my breath away and I was in awe of the bravery that Lale showed every single day as he fought through the horrendous challenges he faced to live and also help Gita and his fellow prisoners. He truly was an inspirational and heroic man. His story deserves to be read and shared throughout the world. 

"There will be a tomorrow for us. On the night I arrived here 

I made a vow to myself that I would survive this hell. 

We will survive and make a life where we are free to kiss 

when we want to, make love when we want to."

Lale and Gita's story will stay with me always. I implore everyone to take some time to read this epic take of love in a dark and frightening world. 

"This is the deepest love he’s ever felt."

"The Tattooist of Auschwitz" deserves every single ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I can give it.