My thanks to the Publisher via NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I gave this a well deserved 5 stars or 10/10.

Heather Morris after time spent with Lale, has woven narrative around his life story detailing his life spent in Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps and how he found love against the odds with Gita.

This was a heart wrenching tale detailing the barbaric practises of the Nazis towards the Jews and other nationalities, who were unlucky enough to find themselves as inhabitants of the camps. Whilst, trying to stay alive and remain below the radar of the Nazis it shows how some occupants were able to help others from time to time. Often putting their own lives in danger to help others.

I found this an emotional roller coaster of a read and wonder how I would have acted if I'd been unlucky enough to have found myself living there. This book needs to be on School curriculums, as it chronicles a part of history that should never be forgotten about.

What an incredible story and even more so that it’s true. My only negative point is I felt the style it was written was for it to be made into a film so really wasn’t as brutal and harsh as it was in real life.

I really enjoyed this book, as much as you can "like'" a book about such a horrendous subject. I learned a few things about the Holocaust that I didn't know and the perspective of the characters were very interesting to me.

This has to be my new all time favourite book now. Based on a true story it relays the hard times, the friendships and the story of hope and love. Lale was a great charater and I'm so glad he wanted to share his story with Heather Morris. He was a bit of a cheeky chappy and when reading there were so many times I was holding my breathe for the outcome because of his actions. He definitely had 9 lives!

This book is so well written, it will have you laughing, crying, shocked and feeling a little fuzzy inside. I couldn't put it down and quite sad I have now finished it.

Fabulous read that will stay with me for a very long time.

Thank you Netgalley fir giving me the opportunity to read and review this amazing book.

The tattooist of Auschwitz deserves every little bit of the hype it has received thus far.
It's a emotionally harrowing read yet so beautiful and moving i found myself gripped until the last page.
Based in (you guessed it) Auschwitz this story is a testament to the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov and beautifully explores topics such as courage, survival and hope.

This is one of those stories that i believe will stick with me for quite some time.

An emotional read, based on a true story from the horrors of Auschwitz.. It follows the story of Lale and Gita, two Slovakian Jews living through the holocaust.

The book takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions and is a very powerful book which was very difficult to read at times.

Well-written and a definite 5 stars.

– I read this book in one sitting, absolutely absorbed. The book is based on the experiences of Lale Sokolov, who was taken to Auschwitz during the second World War. It tells of his experiences, and how he met his love, Gita, inside the camp. I'd heard so much about this book online and was desperate to read it, and it didn't disappoint. It is not a comfortable read - the experiences of Lale, who, becoming befriended by the Tätowierer, starts out as his assistant, tattooing people with identification numbers as they arrive at the camp. When, one day, the Tätowierer is no longer there, Lale is forced to take on the role.

- I found myself physically affected by the brutality of the story. Morris is able to weave two very opposing tales around each other, blending a tiny thread of hope into the darkest of realities. The blossoming love between Lale and Gita is contrasted starkly with the horrific experience of Auschwiz and Birkenau. This is a story of survival and how people find an element of humanity where your life can be extinguished at any time. It is a hard read, but an important one. At the back of my mind, the entire time, was the harrowing fact that this was real, it really happened - as years move on, it is important for us not to disconnect from the horrors experienced in Auschwitz, Birkenau and other concentration camps during and after the war.

- Lale's story is both fascinating and horrifying - a window into how people survive when all is taken from them. Stripped of all dignity and forced into anonymity, identified only by a number, experimented on and beaten, all under the dark, omnipresent shadow of death. It is a testament to Morris's writing that I still think of this as Lale and Gita's story - told and experienced by them, rather than narrated by another. I've not read a book for a long time that affected me as much as this one. Read it!

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

"The Tattooist of Auschwitz" is a beautiful, moving book - made even more so by the fact that it is a true story.
We follow Lale's story, which is at times inspiring and at times harrowing. There were moments where I felt frustrated and fearful for him, and times I was cheering him on.

Heather Morris adds a unique, human touch to the story - elaborating on characters and people Lale meets. We've all heard about the horrors of the Holocaust, but this book makes it so much more real and personal.

This book was one of the few that left me unable to start another immediately afterwards. In other words, massive book hangover. A beautiful book, and well worth reading.

This book will stay with me for a very long time. I couldn't put it down and found myself experiencing such a range of emotions, one minute sad and upset and the next smiling at the beautiful love story which unfolded throughout.

The fact that this book is based on the true story of lale and Gina adds to the books appeal to me. Lale
a Jew arrives in Auschwitz vowing to survive against all odds. He speaks several languages fluently and this allows him to secure the privileged position of the Tatowier (tattooist), who responsibility is to mark the new arrivals with their prisoner numbers.

On meeting Gita a new arrival, Lale is instantly smitten. He vows to share a life with Gita outside of the camp. This reinforces his determination to survive, and gives him a focus away from the harrowing events which he witnesses daily.

The authors knowledge of the events surrounding the book is first class. Her friendship with Lale has enriched the book and allowed the true story of such harrowing historical events to be shared. I cannot recommend this beautiful book enough!!! a must read for every age to make us appreciate how lucky we are!!! Thank you to the author ,Netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this fantastic book, but my biggest thanks are to Late and Gita for sharing their remarkable story , truly inspirational .!!

"You will honour them by staying alive, surviving this place and telling the world what happened here"

And that is exactly what Heather Morris does on behalf of Ludwig Eisenberg. Ludwig,  known as Lale,  was transported to Auschwitz on 23rd April 1942 and this book tells his story of survival in a truly harrowing environment. As Heather Morris puts it, this is a "unique lesson in humanity".

This is the first account I have read by someone who survived in the concentration camps and I have learnt so much from it, both personally and from an historical perspective.

Historically for example, I hadn't even considered that there could have been Americans captured and put in the camps...I would neber have known that had it not been for one of the friendships Lale forged with Jakub, an American who had been visiting his family in Poland when they rounded people up.

I had no idea that outsiders were paid to come in daily and help build the camps. Another important alliance for Lale.

I hadn't considered that "turf wars" happened within the camp between people from different nations.

On a personal level, this was a reminder of just how strong the human survival instinct can be...and how important mental state of mind is. The physical pain, trauma and living conditions within the camps is astounding, however it was their mental strength and attitude that shines through in this book. Lale's mental strength and his ability to protect himself and push boundaries to help those he loves shows how bravery and kindness always shine through even in the most tragic of circumstances.

All of these are examples of why it is so important for people to understand and never forget what happened.

I loved the section by the author at the end. Knowing that Heather and Lale spent time together, got to know each other and formed a bond makes this book even more important. It was a beautiful surprise at the end to see photos of Lale and Gita...I hope they are together somewhere right now...

#libraryatsevern #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookworm #bookmarkit #goodread #tattooistofauschwitz @bonnierzaffre

The story of Lale and Gita who endured the horrors of Auschwitz & Berkenau touched my heart.

Both Jews from Slovakia, they spent 3 years in the camp meeting when Lale, the titular tattooist, tattooed Gita with her identifying number. Both fought sickness, cruelty and the deaths of friends; even after the war ended Lale carried guilt as well as trauma, he worried that he could be seen as a collaborator as he mutilated inmates with their number.

It astonishes me that love can blossom in such dire circumstances, that people can be so selfless and brave, and others so evil. This is the first memoir I have read about life in the concentration camps; I read it in one sitting.
It has left its mark on me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy in exchange for a review.

Lale is dressed up suit and a briefcase thinking he is off to find new work as the German's advance. You read it and know this is not what is in store and it's heartbreaking.

It feels strange to say that this is a great book. When you remember that this book is about someone's life it's even more incredible and compelling. It's no surprise that I shed some tears towards the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Heather Morris for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Beautifully written, such a amazing true story. I will definitely read again and recommend to all my friends.

A brilliant novel. Highly recommended. I had thought I would find nothing new in a novel about the Holocaust but this has a freshness and immediacy that was very unexpected. A great and memorable read.

One of the most interesting features of this novel is the way in which author Heather Morris incorporates the Slovakian Jew tattooist Lale’s time after his internment into her tale, reminding us in this novelistic rendition of a true story that war’s hardships do not simply stop on the day that the treaties are signed.
Because he is multi-lingual, Lale escapes the backbreaking stone picking work of his fellow inmates and becomes the tattooist for Auschwitz. He hasn’t been incarcerated for long when he sees a fellow Slovakian and falls in love with her at first sight. Normally, I’m not one for spoilers but, as this has been a very well publicised true story, it’s not difficult to find out that Lale and Gita, against all odds, survive the war, marry and eventually emigrate to Australia. However, whilst it’s good to see this unfold, it’s not central to the author’s concerns. She seems much more interested in exploring the attitude that must be adopted if one is to survive in such a vicious environment. It’s clear that, whilst the captives are incredibly brave, resilient and supportive of each other, they can also be selfish, manipulative and brutal. In short, Morris shows them as entirely human and this is what brings the tale alive. There is no place for high and mighty moralising if one wishes to survive. Lale does whatever is necessary to keep his SS officer relatively onside as well as committing daily acts of generosity towards prisoners less fortunate than himself. This means that when he is condemned for stealing, his Jewish torturer spares him as far as he is able.
On escaping from Auschwitz amongst the chaos as the war draws to a close, Lale has to work for the Russians for a while, ‘procuring’ girls in the local village for the officers. He shows little distaste for this and we realise that he has been living in a dystopian world for such a long time that it is easy to put aside all normal qualms. In fact, all he cares about is finding Gita as he single-mindedly tracks her down back in Slovakia. The reader appreciates that she is not just the girl that he falls in love with; she also comes to symbolise hope for the future, for a loving family and for a safe place in the world. This is a very readable story in which Heather Morris is careful neither to sensationalise the many real horrors nor to sanctify Lale. In presenting him as an ordinary man caught up in extraordinary events, we admire him all the more.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Publishing Australia for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

A must read. This is a very thought provoking book. Based on the life of Lale and his recollections of life behind the barbed wire fences of Auschwitz concentration camp. It is a story of his determination to survive this horrendous place in order to be with the love of his life, Gita who he meets there. The daily lives of all within the camp are described in, sometimes disturbing, detail and brought to life. The sense that losing your life hangs over everyone everyday is woven through the pages. The cruelty of the guards and the doctor make you realise no-one is safe and care has to be taken in who they can trust. Quite a disturbing book in many ways but necessary to remember these atrocities.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC.

A harrowing story but one that needs to be told and read, lest we forget the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust.

The story is well written and centres around the characters of Lale and Gita who find love in this most unexpected way against the background of Auschwitz and Birkenau. It is a story of a fight for survival at all costs and Lale uses every opportunity to ensure his survival and that of Gita and others, at great risk to himself.

Despite the terrible circumstances, the tales of depravity, cruelty and horror, I found this an easy book to read, devoured in two sittings, and it was uplifting rather than depressing . The triumph of the human spirit against all the odds lies at the heart of this novel and it is even more poignant because it is based on a true story.

A must read.

Devastatingly real, this is a book that will stay with me for a long time to come. Not an easy read, but a beautifully written and haunting one that I highly recommend.

A heartbreakingly moving 5 stars.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is the true story of Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew held during WWII in Auschwitz. This beautifully written book tells Lale’s harrowing true story of survival during the most unimaginable atrocities. There are very few words one can use to describe their feelings towards what happened to the innocent millions during WWII at the hands of the most ruthless and evil Nazi’s, but throughout this book Lale’s determination and hope was a shining beacon.

The romance and love between Gita and Lale was heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measures and proves that the human spirit can’t be crushed by evil and that despite the horrors they witnessed and the violence they experienced during their 3 years at Auschwitz, they were able to help and provide comfort for many others.

This book really needs to be read by EVERYONE as it’s a wonderful reminder of survival, hope and love.

Zaffre Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Tattooist of Auschwitz. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Based on the true story of Ludwig "Lale" Sokolov, The Tattooist of Auschwitz details the young man's harrowing experiences in Auschwitz. With a talent for languages, Lale is forced to ink numbers into the arms of the new arrivals to the camp. Full of despair over the job he must perform, Lale meet the girl of his dreams and vows to do whatever it takes to survive. Able to access goods from the outside, will Lale put himself needlessly into harm's way for the love of Gita?

As The Tattooist of Auschwitz details the horrific view of life in a concentration camp, I expected the novel to be more emotionally charged. The details were all there, but I did not get the feeling that the characters contained within the book were actually real. The novel reads more like fiction, as the author was never able to capture the real life persona of Lale or Gita. Lale's extraordinary story was flat, as a result, and I never formed a connection. In a genre filled with many emotionally charged accounts of life in concentration camps, The Tattooist of Auschwitz unfortunately falls short.