My Review of “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris

My Review of “The Tattooist of Auschwitz ”  by Heather Morris

Kudos to Heather Morris, Author of “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” for combining the Historical Fiction and Fiction genres. From the Goodreads Blurb”, “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 this novel, Heather Morris portrays Lale as a charming, and enterprising individual. To save his family, Lale volunteers to leave with the German Gestapo, believing that his family will be safe. Of course, Lale realizes when he is in a crowded  Cattle Car, he suspects that this is the beginning of a devastating time. Lale does reach out and helps calm some other men. In Auschwitz, Lale somehow finds himself becoming The Tattooist,  having to tattoo the numbers on his fellow prisoners. There he meets Gita, a young frightened girl that he has to tattoo. He falls in love immediately with her.

In the concentration camp, Lale is determined to survive. The role of “Tattooist” is regarded  as a high ranking role, and could cause suspicion among the other prisoners.He is also carefully watched by the German guards and superiors. Lale is given a little more freedom, and food, and tries to live each day to survive.

Lale, being enterprising is able to gets his hands on food and other essentials to help others, by doing dangerous things. Lale feels he has to continue and uses the position of “The Tatooist” to try and help others.

These are deadly and devastating times, and many of the people in the camps have given into despair.  Gale manages to find the will to survive and find love with Gita.

I appreciate that Heather Morris has done tremendous research and interview with Lale, who finally wishes to share his story so that others won’t forget what happened to so many people.  I would recommend this story to readers of Historical Fiction that can read about the Holocaust. I received an ARC of this story for my honest review.