One Sentence Summary
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris is a historical novel based on the true story of Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau Tattooist, Lale Sokolov.
Book Genre
Historical Fiction.
Main Topic of the Book
The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a heartbreaking story of courage, resilience, and survival in the face of unfathomable tragedy.
Key Ideas
- Love and Hope: The novel is filled with themes of love and hope, even in the darkest of moments. It shows how even in the depths of despair, love and hope can prevail. Even in the bleakest of realities, there is always something to hope for.
- The Power of Forgiveness: The Tattooist of Auschwitz shows that forgiveness can be a powerful tool in overcoming our struggles. Even in moments of persecution and tragedy, no one should be beyond the reach of a forgiving heart.
- The Importance of Courage: The novel stresses the importance of courage in the face of adversity. It is only with courage that we can overcome the most difficult of obstacles. Courage is key to finding strength and hope in the darkest of times.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
The Tattooist of Auschwitz follows the story of Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew who is transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Upon his arrival, he is given the task of tattooing numbers onto prisoners for identification purposes. In this bleak environment, Lale finds hope and courage and eventually begins a love affair with prisoners Gita. Lale risks his own safety to ensure a better life for Gita and the other inmates, and in the process, discovers his inner strength. Eventually, his courage is rewarded as the prison is liberated in 1945.
Key Takeaways
- Love and hope can exist even in the darkest of moments.
- Forgiveness is a powerful tool to overcome struggles.
- Courage is key to finding strength and hope in the darkest of times.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Heather Morris is a New Zealand author and 94-year-old Holocaust survivor, Lale Sokolov’s friend. She has dedicated more than 10 years of her life researching and writing about the experiences of Lale and Gita, the couple whose story she tells in The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Target Audience
The Tattooist of Auschwitz is suitable for adult readers of all ages who are interested in historical fiction, Holocaust literature, and stories of courage, resilience, and survival.
Publisher and First Publication Date
The Tattooist of Auschwitz was first published in January 2018 by Zaffre Publishing.