The Tattooist of Auschwitz is based on a true story of a couple who found love in the most horrific place imaginable. There has been much debate about just how much of the story is fictionalized. Personally, I don't care. Fact or fiction, it is a beautifully written story.

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Horrifying, yet uplifting at times. The underlying love story of Lale and Gita was the saving grace of this book for me. Their true story addresses the unthinkable treatment in Auschwitz and Birkenau and what many prisoners had to do just to survive.

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This book is based on a true story. Lale and Gita met in Auschwitz and fell in love. I listened to the audio and found it to be a powerful read. It's a book that will stay with you after you finish. As I visited Auschwitz during my trip to Germany in 2000, I was able to picture in my mind's eye the scenes as they were laid out. It is a book about love, courage and hope for survival for Lale and Gita. I was glad that Lale was about to reconnect with Gita after the war and they finally married. I highly recommend this book as I found it very hard to put down. Looking forward to reading the sequel, Cilka's Journey.

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I enjoyed reading about the endurance and strength of the individuals that were put through such extreme and awful circumstance. I know this is historical fiction and not a completely accurate account.

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Was a could not put down book!

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When Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, arrives at Auschwitz-Birkenau, he is appointed Tatowierer (German for tattooist). He will mark thousands of fellow prisoners with identification numbers. For almost three years, Lale sees the Nazis commit horrific atrocities and barbarism. Yet there are acts of bravery and days of boredom where the inmates are too starved to do anything at all. To help his fellow prisoners, he uses his position to obtain and exchange jewels and money from the murdered to by food and medicine to help fellow prisoners.

As tattooist he has some privileges including improved rations and better sleeping conditions. He can move freely in many parts of the camp. That is until he is caught, removed from his position and cruelly tortured. When he is reinstated and he is more careful about what he does for others. For example, he befriends a worker from outside working on camp construction. The farmer brings food to be shared as Lale sees fit.

One day Lale comforts a trembling prisoner who is waiting to have her arm tattooed. The attractive young woman is Gita, with whom he falls in love. He realizes in that short interlude he will do whatever he can to endure, leave this place and marry her. Unbelievable as it seems, the love affair blossoms, demonstrating that love and humanity can flourish under such dark frightening conditions.. Lale eventually leaves the camp and meets his sweetheart.

It took the author years to tell Lale's story. Becoming a friend, she tells his story with care, compassion and sensitivity. Leaving emotion aside, she writes factually following the lovers into their new life beyond the camp.

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