The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Bratislava has been greatly deformed by bombing and war. There is nothing for Lale here, and he decides to “find a way back to Krompachy, some two hundred and fifty miles away” (245). The journey takes four days, but he arrives at his family home, his mother’s garden strangled by weeds.

An old woman in the opposite house, Mrs. Molnar, recognizes him. She reveals that Lale’s sister, Goldie, is still alive, and living in their old house. Goldie faints when she opens the door and sees her brother. The two have a tearful reunion.

The news she presents is grim. Lale’s parents were taken by the Nazis shortly after he was. Their brother, Max, joined the partisans and died in combat. His wife and kids were taken as well. However, on a positive note, Goldie has fallen in love and married a Russian; her last name is now Sokolov. Her husband will be returning soon from a business trip. Lale tells her only that “he has been in a work camp in Poland and that he is now home” (247).

He tells Goldie and Mrs. Molnar about his love for Gita. He knows in his heart that she is still alive, but the only information he has to go about finding Gita is her last name: Furman.