BESTSELLING KIWI AUTHOR'S DREAM COME TRUE
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand|April 27, 2024
Heather Morris is thrilled her book, The Tattooist Of Auschwitz, is about to hit screens
Lucy Croke, Josie Rozenberg-Clarke
BESTSELLING KIWI AUTHOR'S DREAM COME TRUE

As soon as a book becomes a bestseller, you can bet Hollywood comes knocking  and that's exactly what happened with Te Awamutuborn author Heather Morris' 2018 debut novel, The Tattooist Of Auschwitz.

"Within six months, there were lots of conversations with studios going on," smiles Heather, 71. Now, six years on, after selling more than 12 million copies, the book is finally coming to our screens in the form of a six-part series.

The Tattooist tells the reallife story of Lale Sokolov, d a Jewish Slovakian who was tasked with inking numbers on his fellow World War II prisoners as they entered notorious concentration camp Auschwitz, where he met his wife Gita Furman.

While they were both living in Melbourne, Lale shared his incredible survival story with Heather before his death, at age 90, in 2006. She originally wrote it as a screenplay, not a novel, so she's stoked it's been turned into a series.

"For me, it always should have been on the screen," Heather says. "That's how  I wrote it and how Lale wanted it, so that was the dream." While the series is faithful to the book, a major change is that Heather herself features as a character. Scenes from the war are intercut with modernday moments where viewers see the older Lale, played by Harvey Keitel, telling his story to social worker-turned-writer Heather, played by Kiwi star Melanie Lynskey.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMAN’S DAY MAGAZINE NEW ZEALANDView all
TREASURE & TRAUMA
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TREASURE & TRAUMA

The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

JUDGE JAY-JAY

Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas

time-read
2 mins  |
August 31, 2024
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'

The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO

The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!

Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR

The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay

time-read
2 mins  |
August 31, 2024
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'

The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
CARMEL SEPULONI  I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!

Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR

The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!

time-read
5 mins  |
August 31, 2024
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!

Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024