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The Tattooist of Auschwitz: A Novel Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Heather Morris (Author), Richard Armitage (Narrator), HarperAudio (Publisher)
4.5 out of 5 stars 172,666 ratings

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This beautiful, illuminating tale of hope and courage is based on interviews that were conducted with Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov - an unforgettable love story in the midst of atrocity.

In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a äٴǷɾ (the German word for "tattooist"), tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners.

Imprisoned for more than two and a half years, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism - but also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive.

One day in July 1942, Lale, prisoner 32407, comforts a trembling young woman waiting in line to have the number 34902 tattooed onto her arm. Her name is Gita, and in that first encounter, Lale vows to somehow survive the camp and marry her.

A vivid, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful recreation of Lale Sokolov's experiences as the man who tattooed the arms of thousands of prisoners with what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is also a testament to the endurance of love and humanity under the darkest possible conditions.

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Tattooist of Auschwitz
  2. Listening Length
    7 hours and 25 minutes
  3. Author
    Heather Morris
  4. Narrator
    Richard Armitage
  5. Audible release date
    Sept. 4 2018
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    HarperAudio
  8. ASIN
    B07BZDMLN1
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
Next slide of product details

Product details

Book 1 of 3 Tattooist of Auschwitz
Listening Length 7 hours and 25 minutes
Author Heather Morris
Narrator Richard Armitage
Audible.ca Release Date September 04 2018
Publisher HarperAudio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07BZDMLN1
鶹 Rank

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
172,666 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the content amazing, well-written, and better than most movies on the subject of concentration camp. They describe the story as touching, powerful, and good to hear survivors stories. Readers describe the book as informative, insightful, and simple. They find the emotional and aesthetics beautiful, not too graphic, and the ending beautiful. Opinions are mixed on the subject matter, with some finding it educational and eye-opening, while others say it makes it a difficult read at times.

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ContentStoryReadabilityEmotionalAestheticsSubject matter
194 customers mention "Content"188 positive6 negative

Customers find the book amazing, a page-turner, and better than most movies on the subject of concentration camp. They say it's heartwarming, heartbreaking, and emotional. Readers also mention the book is moving and keeps the reader's attention to the very last period.

"Great book" Read more

"...horror of the holocaust but needs to have the blow softened by a well written story. I give it a 4 on 5." Read more

"Watched the movie, book also good." Read more

"...are interested by what happened in concentration camps, this is a good read!!!" Read more

127 customers mention "Story"116 positive11 negative

Customers find the story touching, fantastic, and powerful. They say it's good to hear survivors stories and thank them for their bravery. Readers also mention the book is based on an actual story. They appreciate the time, effort, research, and care put into historical novels like this to make the power of love despite insurmountable odds.

"...These stories need to be shared and kept alive! We can never forget." Read more

"...This is a story of a lifelong love which began and flourished in this ghastly, deadly setting...." Read more

"This is a fantastic retelling of a love story that wins in the worst circumstances...." Read more

"Interesting story but the writing is a little amaturish I felt...." Read more

18 customers mention "Readability"14 positive4 negative

Customers find the book informative, insightful, and simple. They say the description and detail of the events are very good.

"...this book because not only is it a love story but it’s also very informative of what life looked like in the concentration camps." Read more

"...The description and detail of the events were very good and created a lot a empathy for what people went through...." Read more

"A compelling and informative read on the experiences of one man who not only lived through the Holocaust as a prisoner himself, but was also forced..." Read more

"This story is very very difficult to read because of the emotions, nature, and tragedy of this story...." Read more

15 customers mention "Emotional"11 positive4 negative

Customers find the book emotional, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. They say it's written in a way that you understand the terror felt. Readers say they felt like they watched a movie.

"...Very powerful and emotional, but I don't like that it was potentially dishonest on the part of the authors and find it disrespectful to the actual..." Read more

"...Not too graphic, but written in a way that you understand the terror felt and the will to survive. It helps to have some knowledge of the Holocaust." Read more

"...dialogue and little to no description which makes it hard to truly feel the emotions/sadness." Read more

"...I felt like I watched a movie. I could picture everything written. As sad as it were at times I would have loved to meet Lale and Gita ...." Read more

7 customers mention "Aesthetics"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful and not too graphic. They say it's one of the most beautiful books they've read. Readers also appreciate the beautiful ending.

"Well written story of one of the most terrifying times in history. Not too graphic, but written in a way that you understand the terror felt and the..." Read more

"...Such a testament to the human spirit. Beautiful ending." Read more

"...The story of Lale and Gita is both heartwrenching and beautiful. Highly recommended this novel." Read more

"One of the most beautiful books I’ve read. I’d recommend to everybody." Read more

9 customers mention "Subject matter"3 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the subject matter of the book. Some find it educational, eye-opening, and vivid, while others say it's heavy and hard to read.

"Hard subject matter but written well." Read more

"...a novel, not really a biography, not really a documentary - a good, educational, eye-opening often told story, but something is missing...." Read more

"The subject matter made this a difficult read at times but it was a riveting story. It’s unbelievable that this was possible, but it needs to be told" Read more

"This is a hard story to read especially when you realize it is based on a true account...." Read more

Powerful.
5 out of 5 stars
Powerful.
Wow. This is one of those stories that will leave you clutching your chest and blinking away tears. This is a powerful story of hope. Take nothing for granted, as it could all be taken away in a heartbeat. Highly recommend.
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Top reviews from Canada

  • Tanya Burnett
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book to add to School reading lists
    Reviewed in Canada on January 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    As time wages on we are losing so many of the people and stories we NEED to hear. Those soldiers that saw so much, lost so much. And especially the results of following blindly, following in fear, and how that following can and did lead to millions of people, mostly Jews, being murdered and thrown away.
    Seeing what working together to help those in your community can accomplish, helping each other to succeed, then saying that the people that do that are disgusting and because of that they should die.. unfortunately Jews have dealt with that for centuries. Imagine if all the religions were encouraged to support each other and their friends businesses in a healthy way. And then saw how each of those could help each other. And if faith is not your thing, no problem, imagine helping others and KNOWING they would help you.
    Every biggot and senior in high school should read this, to see how blind faith in a group that would throw you under the bus in a second to protect themselves are not the path that will actually give them happiness or any peace. Believe in what you think is right, ask questions find the truth. This book shows what horrible things being a follower of people that cast blame on anyone but themselves for their own problems can be. When you think of it you don’t hear much about the followers, just the leaders of those groups. The people that we celebrate and truly remember are those that stood against them, who beat them by surviving, who put their lives at risk to do the right thing for your fellow human. Those are who we erect statues for and celebrate. I was raised Catholic and could not follow a doctrine so full of judgement, I believe in faith, and admire those that follow their beliefs in what I think a God of all would want. We are better than we think… keep fighting for the good you
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Sabra
    4.0 out of 5 stars Love found after auschwitz
    Reviewed in Canada on December 24, 2024
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    I read a lot of WWII books and have studied the holocaust. I am most interested in this era and the survival instinct of people. The hardship is even beyond most people's thinking so when the truth is put on paper it gives the reader a better understanding of the atrocities of this war and the hatred and venom of the Nazis! But this book shows you that even at the threat of your demise and death every moment of every day love is found and survival becomes detrimental. But loosing each other after they were free is heart breaking for them both...now does love prevail? Can determination and strong desire exists and in a sleepy town love is found once again...This book is a must read
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  • Barbara Joseph
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Canada on March 22, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Great book
    Helpful
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  • Pauline
    5.0 out of 5 stars Remember History
    Reviewed in Canada on February 23, 2025
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This book is a very tough read, and also ghastly reminders of the extinction of 8,000,000 Jews during WWII!!
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  • Shelle wells
    5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful and raw look at life in a Nazi prison camp
    Reviewed in Canada on October 22, 2024
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    I first watched the mini series on the history channel. I wanted to read the book to see and feel the details that I personally don’t get from watching the series. This book made me feel like I was there with them and could appreciate the way people did what they had to do to survive the horrors that were inflicted upon them simply for being Jewish. These stories need to be shared and kept alive! We can never forget.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Carolyn
    4.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable love story
    Reviewed in Canada on September 29, 2018
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    A harrowing , heartfelt account set amidst the horrific obscenity that was Auschwitz. It gives us a picture of some of the atrocities,but rarely in graphic detail. This is a story of a lifelong love which began and flourished in this ghastly, deadly setting.

    Lake was a fashionable young man-about-town, popular with ladies of all ages. He, along with other Jews were transported by cattle car from his home area in Slovakia. He was soon selected to tattoo a numerical identification on the arms of multitudes arriving at the death camp. Among early subjects he tattooed was a frightened, trembling young woman, Gita.

    As tattooist, Lale was in a privileged position, but never without dread. He was given a larger portion of unappetizing food and a better place to sleep while many of the inmates were tortured and shot or herded towards the crematorium. He was determined to survive and developed a romance with Gita who returned his love. He promised her they would survive, marry and have children.

    Lale established many friendships within the camp. Among them were women whose duties were to sort through the belongings of those marked for death. They gave jewels and money they found to Lale in exchange for more nourishing food and chocolate which he obtained from a contact outside the camp. With the precious stones and money he was able to bribe some guards for better conditions for others and to get time alone with Gita. He also divided up foodstuff to pass on to as many as he could. He was distraught when a group of Gypsy friends were led away to the gas chambers. He was concerned that he might be regarded as a collaborator with the Nazis.

    The author met Lale in Australia in 2003 where he and his wife Gita immigrated after the war. He had found success as a business man. They had a son. Gita was now dead and Lale wanted his story told before his death. Although the book is described as historic fiction, the publisher believes about 95% is factual. Most of the book has been found to be true with conversations word for word as Lale related them. Inner thoughts were invented by the author. Some minor errors can be attributed to an old man’s hazy memory. Photos of the couple depict them at different stages of their lifetime together.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Callie
    5.0 out of 5 stars amazing book
    Reviewed in Canada on January 12, 2025
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This is a fantastic retelling of a love story that wins in the worst circumstances. I like the tv adaptation as well but missing key details from the book
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  • Susan Anne
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but....
    Reviewed in Canada on September 17, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting story but the writing is a little amaturish I felt. I think there could have been a lot more detail added to the story but the main thrust appeared to be the relationship between Lale and Gita not too much on the tattooist's painful experience with his "clients". It lacked authenticity but nevertheless a difficult subject but with a much more experienced writer it could have been an excellent read.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Annu
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heart Touching!!
    Reviewed in Italy on July 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The book has so much memories that one went through during Holocaust. Innocent lives lost, losing loved ones, found love amid survival, heartbreaks, torture, trust and faith, anything you could think of...
    Highly recommended!
    Report
  • aishwaria
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tattooist of Auschwitz - Book Review❤️
    Reviewed in India on April 4, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I'm truly at a loss for words after reading this. The sheer courage it took to find love in a Nazi concentration camp, where survival was uncertain from one moment to the next, is beyond comprehension.

    Lale and Gita's story is not only one of the most harrowing but also one of the most beautiful and authentic love stories I have encountered. The fact that it is based on real events makes it all the more powerful and unsettling.

    For those accustomed to historical fiction with inevitable tragic endings, this book offers a refreshing, though still deeply impactful, perspective.

    If you're interested in understanding the unimaginable horrors and brutality enforced by the SS and Nazis at Auschwitz and Birkenau, I highly recommend this book.

    I also want to acknowledge the incredible efforts of the author in bringing this story to life, along with the invaluable insight she provides at the end of the book, detailing her journey working with Lale to share his story.

    MUST READ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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  • Norma Yanin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
    Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on December 1, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Good read
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  • 鶹 Hennie
    5.0 out of 5 stars BRILLIANT!!
    Reviewed in Spain on June 21, 2022
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    The best book I have read in years ..makes you feel so humble..
    Why is the world so full of evil people to treat fellow mankind with such inhuman cruelty and think they can get away with it!?
    ..opens your eyes!....
    Report
  • sara
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    It's raw, awful, thought provoking, wonderful, absorbing, emotionally draining and captivating. I read this book on one wonderfully lazy Sunday as I could not put it down. A brutal story but one that shows that love, hope, kindness and friendship can stand up to and defeat darkness, cruelty and evil. A story I will never forget.
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