★★★★ (4/5)
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris is a WWII novel based on the true story of Lale Eisenberg (later Lale Slovak) during his imprisonment at Auschwitz-Birkenau. It's the first read of our new quarterly "Ya-Ya" Book Club (don't ask on the name), and I'm so happy this is what we started with! It has received a ton of hype and I feel like I finally got to find out what all the fuss has been about.
The book is considered historical fiction but the author wrote it based on her interviews with Lale recounting his experiences during the war. It begins with his transport to Auschwitz-Birkenau in April 1942. Shortly upon his arrival, Lale contracts typhus and is left for dead - but is rescued by a friend who ultimately gives his life for Lale (not a spoiler, this happens really early on). The rescue attracts the attention of Pepan, the resident tattooist, who decides to take on Lale as his assistant. This kicks off Lale's ultimate "career" as the Tätowierer, and it becomes his job to ink the incoming prisoners with their assigned identification numbers. During one of his first shifts, Lale sees a beautiful woman, Gita (while he's tattooing her), and falls in love instantly. The rest of the book follows their journey along with the excruciating horrors they experience & witness in Auschwitz and beyond.
Of course, at the end of the day this is a love story, which is just another amazing element. The lengths Lale goes to in order to protect Gita are unending. Their journey is both chilling and beautiful - it's their love that keeps them going through the very worst.
TToA definitely stands out amongst the many WWII books I've read. It doesn't read as a novel as much as a direct recount of Lale's interview (it was actually first written as a screenplay) - but I think that makes it feel more authentic in some ways. There were quite a few scenes where I really had to sit back and process the fact that they were true and had been relayed to the author by the person who had experienced them. The nature of Lale's (and the other prisoners') depth is amazing; he has to live in two opposing mindsets - "do what it takes to survive" and "to save one is to save the world." This internal struggle is seen in many characters and is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
Overall, I was really moved by this story. I was especially impressed by Morris's ability to obtain such a comprehensive account from Lale (I understand he was pretty old when she interviewed him) - I really could go on and on about what an achievement it was. Final rating is a 4.5/5 and I can't wait for the book club discussion in the new year!
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris is a WWII novel based on the true story of Lale Eisenberg (later Lale Slovak) during his imprisonment at Auschwitz-Birkenau. It's the first read of our new quarterly "Ya-Ya" Book Club (don't ask on the name), and I'm so happy this is what we started with! It has received a ton of hype and I feel like I finally got to find out what all the fuss has been about.
The book is considered historical fiction but the author wrote it based on her interviews with Lale recounting his experiences during the war. It begins with his transport to Auschwitz-Birkenau in April 1942. Shortly upon his arrival, Lale contracts typhus and is left for dead - but is rescued by a friend who ultimately gives his life for Lale (not a spoiler, this happens really early on). The rescue attracts the attention of Pepan, the resident tattooist, who decides to take on Lale as his assistant. This kicks off Lale's ultimate "career" as the Tätowierer, and it becomes his job to ink the incoming prisoners with their assigned identification numbers. During one of his first shifts, Lale sees a beautiful woman, Gita (while he's tattooing her), and falls in love instantly. The rest of the book follows their journey along with the excruciating horrors they experience & witness in Auschwitz and beyond.
Of course, at the end of the day this is a love story, which is just another amazing element. The lengths Lale goes to in order to protect Gita are unending. Their journey is both chilling and beautiful - it's their love that keeps them going through the very worst.
TToA definitely stands out amongst the many WWII books I've read. It doesn't read as a novel as much as a direct recount of Lale's interview (it was actually first written as a screenplay) - but I think that makes it feel more authentic in some ways. There were quite a few scenes where I really had to sit back and process the fact that they were true and had been relayed to the author by the person who had experienced them. The nature of Lale's (and the other prisoners') depth is amazing; he has to live in two opposing mindsets - "do what it takes to survive" and "to save one is to save the world." This internal struggle is seen in many characters and is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
Overall, I was really moved by this story. I was especially impressed by Morris's ability to obtain such a comprehensive account from Lale (I understand he was pretty old when she interviewed him) - I really could go on and on about what an achievement it was. Final rating is a 4.5/5 and I can't wait for the book club discussion in the new year!
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