Throughout reading this my fiancé would ask me, “How is your book?” and I would respond “As good as a book about Auschwitz can be.” I’m a huge fan of historical fiction, and The Tattooist of Auschwitz was no exception. I have read several historical fiction novels (and several nonfiction books) about Nazi Germany, and I am shocked every time by the new atrocities I learn of. The reviewers that gripe about the “graphic nature” of this novel must be…new to Earth? It’s a book about the Holocaust, I would certainly never pick it up anticipating it would be about rainbows.

Lale and Gita’s story is awe-inspiring both in what they endure and overcome, but also in this incredible love they share when so much is wrong, knowing so much about their lives will never be the same again. Stories like this you can’t help but try and picture yourself in their shoes. Would I have been as cunning and determined to help others as Lale if I was in his position? The story elicits introspection of a new kind and begs us to ask the question ‘what kind of person am I?’ This story really highlights the bright spots of human nature, the banding together to help those most in need, especially in the face of a common enemy.

The story telling is simple and straightforward, which I have conflicting feelings about. On one hand, Lale’s story tells itself. The lack of embellishment speaks to the authenticity of the story. On the other hand, I wish Morris had given us a little more. The novel did lack a certain color that comes from good storytelling, even when the story is based on true events. It felt very “this happened, then this happened, and then this happened”, rather than a true narrative flow.

I would recommend this book to everyone. The perspective it provides is a necessary piece of history. Come for the history, stay for the love story.