In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, was 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 more than 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.

I think what made this such a special book is that it’s a work of fiction but based on real lives. Just knowing that real people lived through such a horrifying, tragic historical event is both mind-boggling and inspirational. I was awe-struck by the courage, bravery, and determination these people had during their confinement in one of the most horrific, brutal concentration camps during WWII. 

Lale and Gita were both very likable characters. Both were heroic in their own ways. They overcame so much during their time in Auschwitz. There aren’t any graphic scenes in the book, but there are descriptions of the atrocities that happened in the camp between the SS guards and the prisoners. It made me sick to my stomach that human beings could be so vile and evil to each other.

This is a very emotional book, and I did tear up at times. The subject matter was very serious and difficult to get through. I really had to be in the mindset to sit down and read this book. I didn’t feel like it was a story to just pick up at time to read. But the story itself was incredible. It was also very easy to read and extremely immersive. The things these people had to endure over a period of three years were heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. However, amidst all of the horror, pain, grief, and sadness, there was hope, a will to live, and even love. 

This is a story about finding genuine, true love during the bleakest of times. It was like finding the light in the darkest tunnel. It was an absolutely beautiful love story, and to watch it unfold was breathtaking. I admire Lale and Gita (along with all the other Holocaust survivors) for their faith that they would live long enough to see the end of the war and their freedom. It made me appreciate my own freedom and everything I have a lot more. I appreciated their gallantry for sharing their stories and giving us this amazing book with so many life lessons that we can learn from them. 

If you want to feel an appreciation for your life and life in general, you need to read this book. It’s so impactful. This is definitely a story where “not all heroes wear capes.” It’s heartbreaking as well as heartwarming, gripping, and compelling. I highly, highly recommend this powerful book. This is one that will stay with me for a very, very long time.