Questions About The Tattooist of Auschwitz (The Tattooist of Auschwitz, #1)

by Heather Morris (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (76)

If this is the true story of Lale and Gita, why is it being described as historical fiction?

Angela Meyer Hi Deanna and Frank, I'm Heather's commissioning editor, just replying on her behalf. As with Thomas Keneally's Schindler's Ark, the decision was made…moreHi Deanna and Frank, I'm Heather's commissioning editor, just replying on her behalf. As with Thomas Keneally's Schindler's Ark, the decision was made to release the book as fiction 'based on a true story' because of those moments where creative or dramatic license was taken, such as when she had to fill in small blanks in time, or delve into characters' thoughts. At one point she puts Lale and Gita together, when they were not (when the planes fly over the camp), and some of the names of smaller characters, while representative of real people, are invented. The story is based on what Lale shared with Heather over many years, and if you haven't read it yet you'll be amazed at some of the things Lale and Gita went through. I was astonished, when working on it, to learn just how much of it was true (as told by Lale). The dialogue, for example – at first I thought Heather had invented much of what was said, but many of the conversations are word-for-word what Lale told her. I have seen videos of Lale, too, and can confirm this. Of course, he was an old man by then, and so his memory of these conversations is all Heather had to go on, but in terms of the events, researchers revealed that Lale and Gita's story very much waltzed in step with history. We hope you enjoy the read, and all the best.(less)

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I'm only halfway through this amazing story & I'm already in love with Lale & Gita. Heather will your screenplay become a movie? Thank you for writing this novel Heather & thank you to the incredible Lale for telling you his story & allowing you to put it to paper & sharing it with the rest of the world! Thank you!

Heather Morris Hi Bern. Thank you so much for your words. They really mean a lot to me.
Yeah, Lale had a way of grabbing at everyone he touched by the heart strings.…moreHi Bern. Thank you so much for your words. They really mean a lot to me.
Yeah, Lale had a way of grabbing at everyone he touched by the heart strings. He certainly had me wrapped around his little finger. What I can tell you is that the film rights are being considered. As I originally wrote this story as a screenplay I'm very keen that the story get told through that medium. Stay tuned as they say. As soon as I have something I'm allowed to share, this will be the first place I share it, after my family of course.(less)

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I'm currently reading this book, but have been disturbed by what seem to me to be anachronisms. At one point Lale tries to obtain penicillin. Now as far as I'm aware no penicillin was to be had in Germany at that time. The same goes for nylon stockings. Although produced prior to 1942, all nylon production was diverted to military use thereafter. Comments?

Trogers I think it’s important to remember that this is a work of fiction - based on true events. While I do believe even a work of fction should try and be a…moreI think it’s important to remember that this is a work of fiction - based on true events. While I do believe even a work of fction should try and be as historically accurate as possible, obviously the author has taken poetic license where she felt it necessary. I have read as many non-fictional accounts of the holocaust as I can, so when I read a fictionalized account,I fill in the gaps where I can and take the story a little more liberally (but not lightly of course), and still appreciate the horrendous roles so many victims had to take on to survive. I found this story to be yet another horrifying point of view, of which there are far too many.(less)

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Has anyone else been as disappointed in this book as I have been? I think the story deserves telling, but I would have liked to have heard it told with a much more complex voice, with characters more developed and plots more believable.

Pauline McGonagle Yes. I believe it is down to the way it has been 'adapted' from a screenplay to a novel. Very rarely does this work well. The adaptations are usually …moreYes. I believe it is down to the way it has been 'adapted' from a screenplay to a novel. Very rarely does this work well. The adaptations are usually the other way round when all the detail needs to be stripped down and key moments flagged to focus on images and dialogue. When this is what you have as a main source filling in the details I would imagine is much harder. See how successfully Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (a Polish Jew as it happened) adapted Henry James, Ishiguro and Forster. She did also write original screenplays and original novels. She only attempted to adapt the latter to the screen, but never, as far as I have yet to find, the other way round.(less)

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Why in the world was Cilka charged as a Nazi conspirator?

Joe Higgs I'm assuming that as she wasn't in the crowd of women, the office may have taken her with him?

She would, therefore, have been caught with the Germans…moreI'm assuming that as she wasn't in the crowd of women, the office may have taken her with him?

She would, therefore, have been caught with the Germans, and the Russians weren't exactly operating the most just or proper justice system at the time.

Desperate to find more info too though!(less)

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