The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Introduction

"Based on the true story of Lale Sokolov, The Tattooist of Auschwitz recounts the harrowing experiences of a man tasked with tattooing identification numbers on the arms of his fellow concentration camp prisoners. Amid the horrors of the Holocaust, Lale finds love and hope in Gita Furman, a fellow prisoner, as they navigate unimaginable hardships together."

This book has been on my radar for a while due to its critical acclaim and popularity, but I found myself conflicted after reading it. While I can understand its widespread appeal, I had significant issues with the way the story was told, particularly in how it handled such a serious and complex topic as the Holocaust.

Thoughts

From the beginning, the simplicity of the writing style stood out to me. For such a heavy and harrowing topic, I expected prose that would reflect the gravity and depth of the story. Instead, the tone felt far too simplistic, often undercutting the emotional weight of the events described. While this style may make the book more accessible to a wider audience, for me, it felt like a disservice to the complexities of the subject matter.

One of my biggest issues was the romanticised approach to the story. The book continuously emphasises the love story between Lale and Gita, to the point where the Holocaust itself becomes a backdrop, a recognisable setting rather than the core focus. As an article I read perfectly put it, "The striped uniforms, box cars, barracks, abuse, starvation, and death form the backdrop to a story of courage and hope with a redemptive, triumphal ending." (Said article: https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2024/05/The-Tattooist-of-Auschwitz-is-historical-accuracy-more-important-than-awareness#:~:text=The%20main%20criticism%20related%20to,Historians%20remained%20sceptical.) This focus on entertainment over education left me feeling uneasy.

Significant moments that deserved more attention were often skimmed over. For example, the removal of the Romani prisoners - a tragic moment - is rushed through, and Lale’s grief over it is quickly dismissed by Gita, who urges him to move on. This struck me as deeply unsettling, as it denied the story the space to explore the emotional impact of such events. Similarly, Leon, who played an important role in Lale’s life, seems forgotten for stretches of time, without even a passing mention, which felt like an oversight.

That said, the book does raise an interesting debate: while it sacrifices historical depth for a more accessible, novelistic approach, it also brings Holocaust stories to readers who may not otherwise engage with them. But for someone like me, who values both storytelling and historical accuracy, this trade-off left me wanting more.

What I Loved About the Book

• The story of Lale and Gita is undeniably moving, and their resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship is inspiring.

• The book shines a light on an individual experience within the larger tragedy of the Holocaust, which adds a personal, human touch to history.

  
  

What Didn’t Work for Me

• The overly simplistic writing style felt ill-suited for the complexity of the story.

• The romanticised tone and entertainment-first approach undermined the gravity of the historical context.

• Significant moments, such as the removal of the Romani prisoners or Leon’s role, were either rushed or neglected, leaving gaps in the narrative.

  
  

Final Verdict

2.5/5

While I understand why The Tattooist of Auschwitz resonates with so many readers, it didn’t work for me. The simplicity of the writing, the romanticised focus, and the lack of narrative depth made it difficult for me to fully appreciate the story. However, I do acknowledge that its accessibility might bring more awareness of Holocaust stories to a broader audience, which is an important achievement in its own right.

Who Should Read This Book

If you enjoy character-driven and tragic love stories with historical settings, this book might be for you. It’s also a good starting point for readers unfamiliar with Holocaust literature. However, if you’re looking for a deeper exploration of history or prefer books that handle heavy topics with more complexity, this might not be the right fit.