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The Tattooist of Auschwitz

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The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Written by: Heather Morris
Narrated by: Richard Armitage
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About this listen

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, two Slovakian Jews who survived Auschwitz and eventually made their home in Australia. In that terrible place, Lale was given the job of tattooing the prisoners marked for survival - literally scratching numbers into his fellow victims' arms in indelible ink to create what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust. Lale used the infinitesimal freedom of movement that this position awarded him to exchange jewels and money taken from murdered Jews for food to keep others alive. If he had been caught, he would have been killed; many owed him their survival.

There have been many books about the Holocaust - and there will be many more. What makes this one so memorable is Lale Sokolov's incredible zest for life. He understood exactly what was in store for him and his fellow prisoners, and he was determined to survive - not just to survive but to leave the camp with his dignity and integrity intact, to live his life to the full. Terrible though this story is, it is also a story of hope and of courage. It is also - almost unbelievably - a love story. Waiting in line to be tattooed, terrified and shaking, was a young girl. For Lale - a dandy, a jack-the-lad, a bit of a chancer - it was love at first sight, and he determined not only to survive himself but to ensure that Gita did, too. His story - their story - will make you weep, but you will also find it uplifting. It shows the very best of humanity in the very worst of circumstances.

Like many survivors, Lale and Gita told few people their story after the war. They eventually made their way to Australia, where they raised a son and had a successful life. But when Gita died, Lale felt he could no longer carry the burden of their past alone. He chose to tell his story.

©2018 Heather Morris (P)2018 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
Historical Jewish Literary Fiction War & Military

What listeners say about The Tattooist of Auschwitz

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A brilliant story and performance

This is just my second audio book and I was skeptical about listening to fiction. But Richard Armitage’s performance made it into a brilliant experience. While personally I’d still prefer to read a physical copy to appreciate the nuances of the written word, good performers like Richard Armitage make it a completely different experience.

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Brilliant original story

Loved the book. Inspired by the characters. Story writing is simple and a joy to read.

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I Highly recommend it

It is a memoir that is going to live within me for days to come. Narration is so good that it adds a dimension to the read. I highly recommend it

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Gripping story

I loved the simplistic style of story telling. It did kind of underplay the horrors the characters went through. The narration attempt at giving different male and female voices was not necessary.

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1 person found this helpful

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everyone needs to know about this.

Summary: Unbelievably beautiful story, Simple writing, Pathetic reading.

SPOILERS HERE
Ludwig Sokolov's real life story of surviving through a concentration camp and waging rebellion against the Nazis by not only surviving but also falling in love needs to be told more widely. His story is the anathema of everything that is wrong in today's world. His story is the potion of hope that so many in the world today need. To imagine what he went through and what he ended up with just because of his unending grit and steadfast stubbornness to live is like getting a fresh lease of life.

Yet, once you read it, the simplistic writing of Heather Morris makes it difficult for you to empathize with 'Lale'. It's not a bad writing, it's pretty simple and can be consumed by everyone in the world. Yet in the quest for simplicity the depth is obliterated and you fail to appreciate the true spirit of his life. Yet, as I said, it's simple and hence I believe a lot of people can partake his journey.

But what's unforgivable is Richard Armitage's performance. It's absolutely pathetic, sorry to say. The pitch changes randomly, the voices change randomly, there is no consistency of voices-sometimes within the same dialogue. It becomes very very difficult to discern who is speaking after a point of time. And that terrible accent- I can't fathom if Richard was trying to voice a Russian or German or an English. He mixed it up all throughout.

Please read the book. Its important that you know Lake's and Geta's story. But don't go for this audible version.

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I cried

It was beautiful. In the worst of humanity, people found the hope and the will to, survive, live, and eventually thrive.

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Rivetting true life story

Another true life story of survivor of Auschwitz read with great emotion by Richard Armitage. Brings back tears to read what atrocities one human being can commit on another.

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Deeply moving

It’s such a profound book with experiences of such atrocities forced upon humanity and endured by these people it makes you thankful for the life you have. You ought to be blessed to not have to be see or do any of what you did. It truly does teach you a different perspective of life

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worth listening

beautiful story of human resilience and love during the cruelest of times in mankind's history

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A journey one must definitely take up

I smiled when laale met Gita
I cried every time someone was shot or poisoned or gased or burned

this book is a mix of so many beautiful emotions

it's difficult to get away once you get entangled in the lives of laale and Gita

I feel sorry for poor circa, I wish Gita could meet Dana and Ivana just one more time

I'm glad I embarked on this journey from death to life

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1 person found this helpful