The Tattooist of Auschwitz

by Heather Morris

When the men try to engage him in conversation, he responds with words of encouragement, trying to turn their fear into hope. We stand in shit but let us not drown in it.

It’s only your own space if you make it yours.

‘Don’t “what if”. I don’t know, you don’t know, none of us knows.

My life is too good to end in this stinkhole.

Work will make you free.

He doesn’t know where he is, or what work he is expected to do, but the idea that it will set him free has the feeling of a sick joke.

Do as you’re told. And always observe.

I will live to leave this place. I will walk out a free man. If there is a hell, I will see these murderers burn in it.

Politics will help you understand the world until you don’t understand it anymore, and then it will get you thrown into a prison camp. Politics and religion both.’

Do those making the decisions have a family, a wife, children, parents? They can’t possibly.

Lale quickly learns that the bad treatment gets worse if he tries to prevent it.

‘Yes, she is. She’s been throwing me little smiles all day, just enough to reassure me. Her beauty goes beyond the surface.’

this is a man whose soul has died and whose body is waiting to catch up with it.

She feels the back of his hand across her face as she closes her eyes and gives in to the inevitable.

Will the two ever meet? Will the younger learn from the older? Will Mumma welcome and love Gita as I do?

‘Be attentive, Lale; remember the small things, and the big things will work themselves out.’ He heard his mother’s sweet voice.

Death alone persists in this place.

‘To make love wherever, whenever we want to.

A bullet is surely preferable to the ovens.

‘You know something, Tätowierer? I bet you’re the only Jew who ever walked into an oven and then walked back out of it.’

‘To be free to make love whenever, wherever we want.’

Choosing to live is an act of defiance, a form of heroism.’

How can a race spread out across multiple countries be considered a threat?

After breaking up their fights his mother would take him aside and explain to him that he would find someone else one day to love and care for. He never wanted to believe her.

‘I know, but can’t he do both? Earn money and make you smile?’

‘You must first learn to listen to her. Even if you are tired, never be too tired to listen to what she has to say.

Learn what she likes, and more importantly what she doesn’t like.

When you can, give her little treats – flowers, chocolates – wome...

‘When I’ve got money, I’ll bring you flowers and chocolates, I promise.’

‘You should save your money for the girl who captures your heart.’

his mother had said were important: flowers, chocolates, his time and attention.

Their lovemaking is slow and gentle.

He feels tears well up and fights them back. This is the deepest love he’s ever felt.

‘Czech, German, French, Hungarian and Polish.’

‘Her name is Gita and I am promised to her. I love her.’

I know he is not perfect; but I also know he will always put me first.’

‘You will get better. Move to a faraway land and have a son.’

‘As long as we are alive and healthy, everything will work out for the best.’