There Tattooist for Auschwitz by Heather Morris

The Tattooist of Auschwitz was recommended by my book club. With several members listing it as their top choice, it was hard not to be excited when this was the next book on our list.

I downloaded it on audible, which I'm glad I did. The narrator did a supurb job with accents and made the book come to life.

Based on a true story, this book is gut wrenching, and yet restores your faith in the goodness of mankind.

Lale is assigned to tattoo the numbers on the arms of his fellow prisoners. It was a task that was hard to come to terms with, knowing he was literally branding and contributing to the dehumanizing of those captured by the Nazi's. But Lale's position, with the extra but limited freedoms, allows him to use that position for good. He befriends outsiders that work in the camp building gas houses and crematoriums, asking them to sneak in food for him and others. In return he is able to repay them with the possessions from deceased prisoners.

During his stay Lale discovers love, and promises his sweetheart, Geta, that they will survive and live to see the day when they are free to be together. I cringed the first time I heard him make such a promise, after all, they were Jews in a Nazi concentration camp. Millions entered, but few left alive. However, as I continued reading, I could feel the hope that such a promise would give. After all, without hope, what do we have?

With all the atrocities of the Nazi regime, this story reminds us of the hope, love, friendships and trust that survives even during the ravages of war. 

Read and reviewed by L. M. Potter