Tattooist of Auschwitz hits million copy milestone

Print sales of The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris have surpassed the one million mark in the UK, nearly two years after publication. 

First published in the UK by Bonnier Books UK imprint Zaffre in January 2018, the novel has sold 1,006,897 copies through Nielsen BookScan’s TCM across all print editions, for £6.1m. It has also spent 12 weeks as The Bookseller’s Weekly E-Book Ranking number one. 

Tattooist, which is based on the true story of Lale Sokolov, who is forced to tattoo numbers on his fellow concentration camp detainees’ arms, has also sold more than three million copies worldwide, according to Zaffre. 

The book’s sequel, Cilka’s Journey, published by Zaffre on 1st October, is currently a number two Sunday Times bestseller. Cilka’s Journey is based on the true story of Cilka Klein, who Sokolov, described as “the bravest person I ever met”.

Morris, who is currently on a promotional tour of the UK and Ireland, said: “I am truly overwhelmed and humbled that The Tattooist of Auschwitz has sold so incredibly well in the UK. To have sold a million copies is testament to the incredible man that was Lale Sokolov. Each one of us has been touched by his resilience, passion and love for his wife Gita. I am grateful to all my readers, thank you, and also to the team at Bonnier Books UK for their amazing efforts in championing The Tattooist of Auschwitz.” 

Kate Parkin, m.d. adult trade publishing, Bonnier Books UK, added: “We are immensely proud to publish Heather Morris and The Tattooist of Auschwitz – an extraordinarily special book that has captured the hearts of the readers in the UK and worldwide. Congratulations to Heather and to everyone who has contributed to this success.”