Did I mention I now work at Barnes & Noble? YEP!!
This one has been on my radar for some time, it has been popular at work and so I used my shiny new employee discount and grabbed a copy. I have read other great books about the Holocaust, both fiction and nonfiction (Sarah's Key, Schindler's List, Night, The Diary of Ann Frank, The Zookeeper's Wife, to name just a few). This joins that list.
Lale is taken to Aschwitz-Birkenau in April 1942. Earlier that month Gita is sent there. When he becomes the Tätowierer, the one who tattoo's the numbers on the arms of the Jews and later the other prisoners too. It comes with some measure of privilege and safety and he uses it to try and help others survive the horrible nightmare they find themselves living in. And he meets Gita.
During the three years they are captives they fall in love. Amid the blood and fear and cruelty these two people hold on to their humanity and find love and hope. A small circle of friends grows around them and it keeps them going. Late uses his position and access to villagers working in the camp to smuggle food and chocolate to those he can. It is amazing at how small bite of sausage or a nibble of chocolate can help a body hang on long after it wants to lay down and give up.
There is an afterward that tells you where Lale, Gita, and other main figures end up. I don't know that I agree with what happened to one person but it is good to know who went where and how they did.
This is a powerful and moving reminder of how easy it is to lose hope and humanity and the endurance of love and the human capacity for resilience.
(Finished December 6, 2018)
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