The Tattooist of Auschwitz

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Very colourful story of life of a Slovakian Jew, Lale Sokolov, imprisoned in German concentration camp in Auschwitz and given duty of tattooing serial numbers on prisoners' forearms.
In an afterword, the author mentions importance put by the story teller to the credibility of his story.
He might have justified concerns that his story might look too good to be true.
Just few points: since being nominated a tattooist he got allocated a separate room, moves freely about the camp, his SS guard treats him as a mentor, he is allowed for privacy with his beloved girlfriend, got access to substantial amount of jewelry, which in turn enables him trade in food and other essentials.
On one hand I see it as a story of great human character, strength and enduring love. On the other hand as I had a chance to meet few Auschwitz survivors and read a number of Auschwitz-centred stories I somehow instinctively reject any optimism growing in this place.

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