The Tattooist Of Auschwitz is written by Heather Morris, and it follows Lale sokolov, a prisoner of the German concentration camps. He is a talented man who speaks several languages, and as a result is put in charge of tattooing numbers on each prisoners arm when they come into the camp. He is a brave character, who organizes trading in the camp, planned escape, and still has time for romance. So far, I really like it, and although it contains some really sad themes, I find it to be informative and interesting rather than depressing and sad. This excerpt is describing the beginning of the crackdown the SS start committing towards the end of the war in the camps.
The next morning, Gita and Dana are the last to leave their block. They exit with their arms linked, talking, oblivious to their surroundings. Without warning, the SS officer outside their block hits Gita in the back with his rifle. Both girls crash to the ground. Gita cries out in pain. He indicates with his rifle for them to get up. They stand, their eyes downcast.
He looks at them with disgust and snarls, “Wipe the smile from your face.” He takes his pistol from its holster and pushes it hard against Gita’s temple. He gives the instruction to another officer: “no food for them today.”
As he walks away, their capo advances and slaps them both quickly across the face. “Don’t forget where you are.” She walks away, and Gita rests her head on Dana’s shoulder.
“I told you Lale’s going to talk to me next Sunday, didn’t I?”
(page 64, Lila and Gita talking in the camp, Auschwitz. Gita is Lale’s lover, and Dana is Gita’s friend.)
This excerpt is describing the crackdown the SS officers started doing near the end of the war, due to high tension and anger. It also is how the author sets the scene for when Lale and Gita fight about dating in Auschwitz, and how being close to Lale, who has made a reputation for himself may harm Gita. This creates high stakes in the book, and I’m excited to see where it’s headed.
That’s it.