The Tattooist of Auschwitz: A Novel


Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
1902
Narrator
340
Release Date
September 4, 2018
Duration
7 hours 26 minutes
Summary
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.

“The Tattooist of Auschwitz is an extraordinary document, a story about the extremes of human behavior existing side by side: calculated brutality alongside impulsive and selfless acts of love. I find it hard to imagine anyone who would not be drawn in, confronted and moved. I would recommend it unreservedly to anyone, whether they’d read a hundred Holocaust stories or none.”—Graeme Simsion, internationally-bestselling author of The Rosie Project

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

Imprisoned for over 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 re-creation 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.
Reviews
Profile Avatar
Ria P.

Excellent story and narration.

Profile Avatar
Richard F.

I loved the story from its opening chapter to the ending which was so moving and memorable. I did not know this was SPOIL ALERT this was a true story until the Author’s notes were read to me at the tail end of this novel. Now I feel even more for all those men and women that suffered and died in the concentration camps revealed in this audio book. I have always had a problem realizing how all humanity could be stripped away in a period when the world seemed to go mad and has now seemed to want to forget. This book tugs at your heart but gives the reader a greater understanding of how much pain these people endured. I give it five stars. I was never bored but clung to each chapter. I hope others will listen to this book and come away as moved as I did.

Profile Avatar
Alyssa P.

Beautiful story. Captivating. I enjoyed the narrator as well.

Profile Avatar
Tammy H.

Wonderfully written and narrated story of love, struggle, brutality of war, human survival and miracles. The narrator was marvelous.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Book was engaging from beginning to ending! Hope and love in the midst of the most vile and evil. Great reminder of the things we should be thankful for on a daily basis!

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Excellent!!!!

Profile Avatar
JILL V.

Highly recommended

Profile Avatar
Lanette F.

Very well written/narrated

Profile Avatar
Debbie J.

Couldn’t quit listening. What a captivating, but eye opening story.

Profile Avatar
Lgower2003

This book is amazing! Such and incredible story. I loved it!!

Profile Avatar
Malnie B.

A captivating a love story. I love the narrators accents; it made you feel like you’re in the story.

Profile Avatar
Pamela H.

Great narration and It kept you interested from start to finish.

Profile Avatar
Kelly G.

This story is very well written. I did not care for the editing of the narration - way too choppy.

Profile Avatar
Kathleen T.

Unbelievable story of survival and love. Narration was amazing - variety of accents and voices making it feel like you were really listening to each character

Profile Avatar
Anne B.

My first book on audio books. Beautiful story, love the narrator.

Profile Avatar
Rachel R.

Beautiful story. I couldn't put it down. Keep your Kleenex handy while you listen. Wonderful tribute to the lives and hardships of this couple's lives. Narrator was also great and added extra warmth and compassion to the story.

Profile Avatar
James H.

I found the narrator's accent and attempts to use German and Russian accents off-putting. Perhaps it is due to the way the book was written.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Captivating and convicting! Excellent narrator

Profile Avatar
Robert J.

The narrator was excellent! I was touched by the story and was both appalled and also inspired by this account. There is both evil and goodness in the world. Choose goodness.

Profile Avatar
Jodi B.

Powerful. Loved it!

Profile Avatar
Barbara

A must read. Very moving.

Profile Avatar
Lauren D.

Moving, amazing

Profile Avatar
Lgatny

Fantastic book! Could not stop listening to this important piece.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Simply stunning. Remarkable book.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Wonderful!

Profile Avatar
Sonya B.

The book has a wonderful story that held my attention every second. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would give it a 10.

Profile Avatar
Maria R.

Loved this Bitter sweet story with great narration.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

If there can be such a thing as an upbeat story of the concentration camps run by the Germans, this is such a story. However, it's not really upbeat. It is a very good story about a time in history that MUST NEVER be forgotten.

Profile Avatar
Christina G.

If you liked where the crawdads sing, you will like this one. Loved that this was based on a story of a man's life. We must learn about the past so that we can see the signs of it repeating itself. A very good story about perseverance and love.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

good book

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Loved this series

Profile Avatar
Amanda W.

Captivating and well narrated.

Profile Avatar
Tracy A.

A heartbreaking story that grabbed from the beginning and would let me go until I finished the book. Great story and narration.

Profile Avatar
Katfish

This book is quite tough to handle but is well worth the read. How people can be so inhumane is unbelievable, but the main character’s grace and kindness is a beautiful juxtaposition.

Profile Avatar
Shannon A.

This was a phenomenal book and a must read!!

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

LOVED this very awful and beautiful book

Profile Avatar
Taylor P.

This book and narration were wonderful! This is my first experience with Audiobooks and it was a great one to start with. I ended up listening to it at a faster speed, but it was still very easy to listen to at a faster speed. I highly recommend this book!

Profile Avatar
Robert B.

Amazingly well written. Hope is strength. Love this man.

Profile Avatar
Marcy Smith

Bravo! Inspiring life example as to how to wake up each day, despite our circumstances, and be grateful for life.

Profile Avatar
Suzanne M.

Narrator did a great job with accents and kept me engaged!

Profile Avatar
Carolyn K.

This book woke me up to many more things that weny on at these two camps.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Well researched. An inspirational journey through horrific times.

Profile Avatar
Jorjita56

It was to the point. It makes me realize how fortunate I’ve been to live during a time where this type of hatred was not as prominent. I found myself feeling very stressed for Lali and Geta over the abhorrent treatment. And to realize they did many things we normally might not do just to stay alive through that horrible period of time. The narration was good and captured some of the sorrow of two young people desperate to live and be in love.

Profile Avatar
Angelia H.

This is an amazing book, one I could read again and again.

Profile Avatar
Elizabeth M.

A mesmerizing, heartbreaking and yet hopeful story of incredible resilience, survival and love. We must never forget this terrible time in history in order not to repeat it.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Great book

Profile Avatar
Claudia G.

I did like the book even though I knew the subject would be depressing. I was surprised that although it delf with a time in history we would all like to forget the presence of hope and love made me pay more attention to the daily interactions and dreams of the future

Profile Avatar
Pat C.

Great book.

Profile Avatar
Laura K.

The story is a good one, but the writing lacks oomph. The sentences lean short and the vocabulary is so boring that, a short ways in, I wondered if I had accidentally purchased a piece of juvenile fiction. I was moved to tears several times when the book described the cruel horrors of the Nazi concentration camps and death marches, although usually these were described only briefly, as the focus of the story is the love story of the tattooist and another prisoner. I found a number of details in the book far-fetched, from penicillin being smuggled into the camp to the top commander's multi-year relationship with one of the imprisoned women. Looking it up afterward, I learned that the book has been heavily criticized -- including by Holocaust historians -- as rife with factual errors. So although the book kept me occupied during a long boring drive on the interstate, I really cannot recommend it to others.

Profile Avatar
Misty E.

loved this book. well read...

Profile Avatar
Jamie

What a great story. Well written and well read.

Profile Avatar
Sheila L

WOW! What a story! I'm sure there was a little extra added here and there for drama, but wholly smokes, these people endured way too much and my heart breaks for them. The writings held me captive throughout the reading; I felt like I was there watching over his shoulder, experiencing everything he did. Such a strong man to have endured so much, with such grace and incredible perseverance while simultaneously being sad yet filled with so much historical information. We must never let this happen again! I’m grateful he decided to live and later on share his story before he passed. Excellent narration, too. This one is a must read [listen]. You won’t regret it.

Profile Avatar
Marshall H.

amazing story and excellently told by the narrator

Profile Avatar
Caroline D.

Captivating!

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

The story was lacking the historical facts, sometimes ot sounds like a school experince not a death camp. The narrator, on the other hand, was the most brilliant there is.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Amazing. Heart-breaking and touching beyond words. I couldn’t stop listening. Ended up finishing it in two days. Highly recommend!

Profile Avatar
Jeff H.

Very good story. I'm always saddened by the incomprehensible suffering the prisoners of those camps endured. I also feel a sense of awe at the super human courage and strength the victims mustered!

Profile Avatar
Cyn K.

I haven't had a book grip me like this in a long time. It was not only beautifully written but the narrative is a well-told and engaging story (if not also horrific). The narrator was spot on with accents and sealed the deal for me. Excellent all the way around.

Profile Avatar
LeeAnn M.

Loved the book and the narration. Very well done.

Profile Avatar
Francois S.

It was difficult to listen to this book because you realize that all the small things you are stressing over is a walk in the park compared to what this book tells you the prisoners in the camps went through. Nice listen but be prepared for the goosebumps it will make you have.

Profile Avatar
Jme K.

Fascinating and full of hope.

Profile Avatar
Donna P.

Well written... Well read...

Profile Avatar
Debra C.

A very engaging and heartbreaking book from beginning to end. Had me on the edge of my seat!

Profile Avatar
Latoya L.

I have been seeing this book for the past couple of years, but bypassed it because of what it was about. Well......I'm happy ai gave it a chance. It is an open and detailed account of what happened at one of the concentration camps during the holocaust. Lale was a Jew who was a prisoner made to tattooist. He wasn't like many other prisoners. He was given more food because of his job, instead of eating it all, he shared it with many of the prisoners. While in Auschwitz, he fell in love with another prisoner Gita. Even under the hardships they were able to love. They found each other afterwards, married, face another hardships, escaped started another life, had a son. #Book25of2021 #bookworm #whatsnext #GreatRead #Holocaust #LoveUnderUnusualCircumstances

Profile Avatar
Melissa T.

I’ve never rooted so hard for a main character. What an amazing story!! The authors note at the end was a wonderful finale.

Profile Avatar
Patricia I.

Excellent read

Profile Avatar
Caroline L.

Found the characters very unconvincing. Perhaps it was the narration.

Profile Avatar
Chribarn

Gut wrenchingly horrible and overwhelmingly touching all in one. Love LS this!

Profile Avatar
Teresa V.

An excellent book and narrator. Highly recommend

Profile Avatar
Clint B.

Beautifully put together. A stark image of the tragedy of evil dictators and loss of freedom. And, a vivid reminder of how grateful we should be for what we have in life.

Profile Avatar
Angela S.

This is one of those books that I believe everyone should read / listen to once in their life to remind us all of history and to be compassionate to each other and all living things.

Profile Avatar
Tracy B.

One of my all-time favorite books. Deeply moving and couldn't wait to listen everyday. Narration was superb.

Profile Avatar
Peri P.

Amazingly heart wrenching. Great book!

Profile Avatar
STEPHANIE WITHERS

Very good, very moving, very sad

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Story was incredible. Narrator made the women in the book sound like air heads. Not impressive but his accents were good.

Profile Avatar
Suzanne M.

Very interesting Different twist to other holocaust books. Very personel

Profile Avatar
Terence K.

As a fan of Historical Fiction, I had heard a lot about this book. It did live up to the hype. The story was very sad, but also informative and interesting. It was very hard to stop listening, and I finished it in a few days. The interview at the end also gave great insight.

Profile Avatar
Matthew P.

This book is absolutely amazing. Fantastic writing. Fantastic narration. A horrific, beautiful, devastating and compelling story- a story everyone should read, lest we forget the unspeakableness of that moment in history.

Profile Avatar
Janice Hall

Absolutely riveting. I'd stop and fact check not believing it was historically factual & every time it was.

Profile Avatar
Debra B.

Engaging story of survival

Profile Avatar
Beverly H.

Fantastic read!

Profile Avatar
Tana D.

The characters were believable in a time of unbelievable cruelty. So hard to understand how that it is possible for people to treat one another like this, and yet the desire to survive and overcome was triumphant! Really enjoyed the book.

Profile Avatar
Robert L.

Lovely story, powerful.

Profile Avatar
Sara M.

I found the story to be captivating however I didn’t like the ending. I also didn’t like how they didn’t really focus much on how it really was durning that time.

Profile Avatar
Tonya Darden

A story sharing the plight of the prisoners of WW2. What a horrific time. I enjoyed this glimpse into history.

Profile Avatar
JulieB

I really enjoyed this book. The narrator did a great job of making the characters come to life.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Powerful story and wonderful narration

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Amazing story of life and service Lale was able to perform in Aushwitz. His love and for Gita as well for others who expressed fear and need helped Lale keep his powerful confidence alive for many. The author was able listen strongly believe his ordeals with percussion and art. I learned much abut human wills and hearts. I loved this story

Profile Avatar
Nicole R.

I loved the story and the narration. Was a little disappointed with the ending, it seemed a little anticlimactic but overall worth the listen!

Profile Avatar
Heather J.

Wonderful, heart-wrenching, and overwhelmingly powerful. It makes you truly grateful for humanity and the strength that can be present when people endure incredible hardships. The narrator’s voices for the individual characters makes the story come to life!

Profile Avatar
James J.

A nice one

Profile Avatar
Sergio A.

Loved the narrator and the story...really makes a difference in enjoying the book.

Profile Avatar
Joni

Very realistic as if you were there. So tragic this place ever existed!

Excellent book. Couldn’t put it down!

Profile Avatar
Amanda K.

Wonderful story of finding love in a place of hell.

Profile Avatar
Molly W.

Wonderful story. Captivated from the beginning to the end.

Profile Avatar
Elizabeth D.

A heart wrenching story of truth, love and courage against all odds. I loved it.

Profile Avatar
Van J.

Very well written and the narration was outstanding

Profile Avatar
Matt A.

It’s a story of the power of human spirit and will to survive! Must read!

Profile Avatar
Nicole O.

Absolutely amazing storey!! Loved it!!

Profile Avatar
Diane M W.

It was hard to believe it’s bases on true events. Some of the hard ships that were eased by things that seemed a little too unbelievable. Like being given the jewels. Like finding her after the war just walking down the street.

Profile Avatar
Eunice M.

what a great book! I love it.

Profile Avatar
Anna B.

I loved this book. I rated it a 4 due to the last part of the book being rushed. The entire book was slow moving (in a great way) and filled with detail. The last few chapters seemed as if they were a synopsis of what the author wanted to write. I wanted the same pace and detail that I had enjoyed the rest of the book. Otherwise. it's a beautiful story and narrated very well.

Profile Avatar
Suzproctor

Beautiful story!

Profile Avatar
Loralee V.

This book reached down and tugged on my heartstrings ... a reminder of the heart of survival amidst unbelievable situations.

Profile Avatar
Susie G.

Such a beautiful love story Love It

Profile Avatar
DakuMcQ

Such a heavy book but beautifully written. The narration was so wonderful. Bravo.

Profile Avatar
Dru C.

A great book about survival and finding joy in the midst of it all.

Profile Avatar
Julie W.

Narration was great and with the different accents it was easy to visualize the characters. What a tremendous and probably difficult story to share.

Profile Avatar
Kim R.

Beautiful story. .Narration was excellent

Profile Avatar
Dawn B.

Narration excellent. Hard to turn off...so difficult to imagine the horrors these beautiful people had to endure. Hard to put down, captivating.

Profile Avatar
Sue D.

Captivating, Unbelievable story of Love and survival. *****

Profile Avatar
Dina G.

Once I got over the heaviness of the horror of the subject, I was captivated by the characters and the story. The narrator was fabulous. At first he seemed a bit monotoned, but then I realized to over dramatize the reading would detract from it. His language proficiency was impressive as well as his accents. I also really enjoyed the author telling us about how he came to write the story and the son of the main character's memories of his parents and what they told him. All in all the story itself is amazing, the narration so well done, I feel I have a better understanding of what the victims and survivors of World War two concentration camps had to endure.

Profile Avatar
Andy D.

I couldn’t stop listening, one of the best audio books ever.

Profile Avatar
Unknown U.

Loved every word!

Profile Avatar
Mayda T.

Beautiful story, well done

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

It was a wonderful book from the beginning to the end. What a wonderful love story through great horror and tragedy. I first read the book and then listened to it. Such evil and yet there was kindness as well. I loved this book.

Profile Avatar
Heather K.

Wonderful book would recommend !!!

Profile Avatar
Karen H.

A phenomenal book. I didn’t want to stop listening, but I didn’t want it to end. I appreciated the author’s comments at the end of the book. Narration was incredible. A must read!

Profile Avatar
Gary Y.

Must read for anyone Cover to cover your feeling extreme emotions over the plights of fellow human beings.

Profile Avatar
Barb S.

Remarkable story - mesmerized from the first moment - the narration is superb. Don’t miss it.

Profile Avatar
Jeri F.

Captivating story of Auschwitz survivor, Lale and his love Gita. Makes you appreciate how fortunate you are not to experience such cruelty.

Profile Avatar
Leanne E.

Words cannot express the amount of emotion the narrator was able to make me feel. This was my first audiobook. What a great, well written book. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Profile Avatar
Sharon R.

A beautiful story of will, determination and perseverance!!! I found myself thinking about the characters and the story long after having to put the audiobook away!!!

Profile Avatar
Suzie K.

It was spell bounding. Awesome!!!

Profile Avatar
Mary G.

This was a fantastic book! Not sure if it was a download glitch but had trouble with bookmarks.

Profile Avatar
Jennifer S.

Awesome listen.... the narrator deserves an award for an amazing rendition.

Profile Avatar
Shannon B.

Wonderful book and narration.

Profile Avatar
Jodie R.

What an amazing story. This was beautifully written and so emotional. My heart broke when hearing how awful the people were treated. I’m so glad Lale got to tell his story so it’ll never be forgotten. I loved the narrator and the different accents used.

Profile Avatar
Caroline J.

Amazing story of love and survival. I want to listen to it again right now!

Profile Avatar
Kimberly W.

Really enjoyed this book!! Fantastic narrator. Truly an interesting listen!

Profile Avatar
Amber W.

Amazing, heart wrenching story. The narration was so engaging and really adds color to the story.

Profile Avatar
Jennifer M.

I wouldn't recommend this for young kids as the love story gets rather steamy. However, the story as a whole is beautiful and authentic. It's very well done and shows the true atrocities of the Nazis.

Profile Avatar
Kassandra P.

Enthralling story that keeps you thinking even after you have completed the book. Highly recommend.

Profile Avatar
Jordyn R.

I actually really like the narration of this book. The story is very well written. I would absolutely recommend.

Profile Avatar
Mark S.

Incredible.

Profile Avatar
Beverly H.

This was a great book, disturbing but so real, unimaginable what can and has happened

Profile Avatar
Carly S.

Very moving true love story written about a time in our history when the world truly was a horrible place...especially for Jews. It’s amazing the path and tenacity of two people to survive and love during so many trials and tribulations. You will not be disappointed with this story!

Profile Avatar
Neal R.

Incredibly moving story!

Profile Avatar
Nicole S.

Beautiful, heartbreaking, inspiring.

Profile Avatar
Sandra T.

Riveting account of another survivor of the unsurvivable.

Profile Avatar
Elizabeth V.

Fascinating, horrifying and hopeful. I have read and watched countless stories about the Holocaust and this is perhaps one of the deepest delves into daily life inside one of Hitler’s evil concentration camps that I have ever heard. I absolutely fell in love with Lale and Gita and all of the good people who dared to help them in even the smallest of ways. The fact that this is a true account is devastating and yet beautiful in the midst of such horror. Thank you Lale for sharing yours and Gita’s story so that we may never forget.

Profile Avatar
Angela D.

This is an amazing story! I couldn't turn it off.

Profile Avatar
Aida S.

Hola! Me encantó el tatuador de Auschwitz, el inglés del narrador es excelente, y la novela es muy interesante. Es una novela excelente para quien quiere practicar inglés.

Profile Avatar
Deborah L.

I loved this book. Amazing true story of people's will to live. Wonderful narration.

Profile Avatar
Angela T.

Very good story and narration.

Profile Avatar
Nancy K.

This is an incredible book. It was hard to listen to the atrocities that were inflicted upon the concentration camp prisoners but this is based on a true story and it is important to remember that. It is not only a story of brutality, but also a story of people’s will to live, help each other, to love, and find meaning in their lives.

Profile Avatar
Angela R.

One of the most beautiful stories I have ever heard, beautifully written and read. 5 plus stars!

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Beautiful, sad and Inspiring. Thank you for telling his story.

Profile Avatar
Lisa S.

I was captivated by this story. A very good book. The narration made it great!

Profile Avatar
Nancy K.

Excellent story. I loved the end of the book.

Profile Avatar
Lisa M.

Loved this. Different perspective than similar stories because this is the story of the Tätowierer and all of the moral conflicts he felt, plus an amazing and true love story. Wonderful narrator.

Profile Avatar
Stacey S.

This was a riveting story of the inner world of concentration camp during WW II.

Profile Avatar
Georgiana B.

Heart wrenching account, but amazing love story. Great book.

Profile Avatar
Marcella B.

beautiful story really got to me..

Profile Avatar
Stephen T.

A must read for all.

Profile Avatar
Sarah Z.

Incredible and moving! Must have tissues near by while you listen. The narrator is also amazing!

Profile Avatar
Patricia T.

Just when you think you can't read another WWII story another great one captures your heart.

Profile Avatar
Lizette T.

The author and narrator did a beautiful job telling this story. This book will stay in my heart.

Profile Avatar
Susan R.

Well written book and heart-wrenching story.

Profile Avatar
Charles H.

Great read so many parallels to the world we live in today Scary and sad Just the way I like it

1 book added to cart
Subtotal
$21.99
View Cart