The Tattooist of Auschwitz, a novel by Heather Morris, rose to the top of the New York Times bestseller list in November 2018. It tells the love story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, set in the Auschwitz concentration camp, where they were both held prisoner. The novel is “based on a true story,” from Morris’ interviews with now-deceased Holocaust survivor Lali Sokolov. Public criticism about the accuracy of the novel by members of Sokolov’s family, as well as historians, has not prevented the success of the book, nor the commissioning of a sequel.

As the last survivors of the Holocaust are passing away with each day, we must consider how stories of the Holocaust will be told moving forward. Holocaust prevention and education over the past seventy years has taken on a survivor-centered approach. What role will fiction play in the transmission of this event in years to come? Should a testimony even become fiction? And, specifically, a novel centered on a love story in the camps? How will a shift away from a survivor-centered approach impact how genocides and mass murders are both researched and taught.

The Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies invites you to dinner and a discussion, with Jewish Studies Professor Jennifer Cazenave. Did you read The Tattooist of Auschwitz this summer? What did you think? Bring your questions and your appetite. A pizza dinner will be served! Open to all BU students.

Please be aware: our historic building is not fully accessible, although it is equipped with a ramp entrance and small elevator. For accessibility questions and needs, please email ewcjs@bu.edu or call 617-353-8096.