Lale Sokolov's Family Fate in Slovakia

This character-destiny thread follows Lale's family from his voluntary transport to the news of his parents' and brother's fates and his sister's survival.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Poster and the Decision

The Poster and the Decision Lale Sokolov returns to his parents' home in Krompachy after learning that Jews are being rounded up. His sister brings home a poster demanding that every Jewish family surrender a child aged eighteen or older for German labor. Max Offered First His brother Max Eisenberg says he will go, but Lale will not allow it. Max has a wife and two young children, so Lale volunteers himself. A Trade for Safety Lale believes that his sacrifice will keep his family safe at home. He reports to the local office where former friends process his paperwork and send him to Prague.

Farewell at the Train

Farewell at the Train At the platform in Krompachy, Lale Sokolov sees his father Jozef Eisenberg with tears in his eyes for the first time. His mother Serena Eisenberg runs alongside the train, arms outstretched. The Sobbing Departure His two young nephews chase the train, oblivious to what is happening. Lale leans his head against the window and sobs, finally feeling the weight of his choice. The Last Images He carries the image of his father crying and his mother running until the train disappears. It will be the last time he sees them.

Parents Taken

Parents Taken While Lale Sokolov waits in Prague for his transport to Auschwitz, his parents are deported from Krompachy. Jozef and Serena Eisenberg are killed immediately upon arrival at Auschwitz. The Silence of Not Knowing Lale believes for years that his sacrifice may have saved them. The truth is hidden from him for the rest of his life and only discovered after his own death. A False Hope He imagines his family safe in Krompachy while he trains to tattoo prisoners. The distance between what he believes and what happened is one of the novel's deepest ironies.

Max's Fate

Max's Fate Goldie Sokolov tells Lale Sokolov that their brother Max Eisenberg went off to join the partisans and was killed fighting the Germans. Max's widow and their two sons were taken away, destination unknown. The Broken Family Tree The brother Lale protected with his sacrifice was not protected after all. Max's death removes the anchor of the family. A Legacy of Loss Lale has to absorb the news after already surviving Auschwitz. The war has hollowed out the family he once tried to save.

Goldie Alive

Goldie Alive Lale Sokolov stands across from his family home and is scolded by a neighbor before she recognizes him. He learns that his sister Goldie is alive and living in the house. The Fainting Doorway When Goldie opens the door and sees her brother, she faints. Lale carries her inside, and they weep together over everything they have lost. A Reason to Stay Goldie is the only immediate family member left. She encourages Lale to find Gita Furman, giving him a reason to keep moving.

Name Change to Sokolov

Name Change to Sokolov After the war, Lale Sokolov changes his name from Eisenberg to Sokolov, the Russian last name of his married sister Goldie. The name is more readily accepted in Soviet-controlled Slovakia. A New Political Reality Lale marries Gita Furman and builds a business importing fine fabrics. His new name protects them from some of the hostility directed at Jewish survivors. The Burden of a Name The change is practical, but it also marks the loss of the family name. Lale's children will carry Sokolov, not Eisenberg, into the future.

early 1942, in Krompachy

April 1942, at the railway station in Krompachy

March 26, 1942, while Lale is still in Prague (revealed after the war)

during the war, later recounted by Goldie Sokolov

1945, when Lale returns to Krompachy

1945–1949, in Soviet-controlled Slovakia