Hello Everyone!
Today I thought I would share an absolutely breathtaking and heart-racing book that had a real impact on me. It is partly autobiographical, with some fictional elements. I love anything about the Holocaust and this book didn't disappoint.
Lale, along with millions of Jews is sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau. There he is made tattooist. Every time a new transport arrives it is his job to tattoo the numbers onto the victim's wrists. He doesn't enjoy his job but it is far less laborious than the other jobs and it saves him from too much punishment. Lale tells himself to keep a low profile but when he sees an opportunity to get food from the outside, he takes it, putting the lives of too many people at greater risk then they already are.
One day a transport of women arrives and Lale tattoos a number on the wrist of one of the most beautiful girls he has ever seen. Even with her shaved head and ragged clothing, he falls instantly in love. He is determined that he and the girl, Gita, will make it out alive. He promises that he will live a life with her outside the confines of the camp, where they can be free to do whatever they want. But some promises are hard or even impossible to keep. They both suffer illness and see many of their fellow prisoners die before their very eyes. The book speaks out about the harassments that took place in these camps and the injustices of it all. They are trapped though. If they refuse to co-operate, they are shot. Lale witnesses friends being taken away and never to be seen again. They live in constant danger.
One day, they are separated and Lale has to do all he can to find Gita again. But will he find her? Is she even alive?
I would say this book is for 12+ as it has some strong language and the themes are very difficult.
There really was a Lale and Gita and Heather Morris was asked by Lale to tell their tale. You can find out more about Lale here. It is an interview with the real Lale Sokolov for the book trailer.
I hope you will enjoy this book.
Happy reading!
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