Kim

by Kim Malthe-Bruun, Vibeke Malthe-Bruun

Kim Malthe-Bruuns dagbog og breve fra Anden Verdenskrig har inspireret, bevæget og rørt generationer, siden bogen første gang udkom i 1945.KIM er en klassiker fra den danske frihedskamp - ja, i dansk litteratur. Som kun 21-årig blev Kim Malthe-Bruun henrettet af nazisterne den 6. april 1945 - få uger før krigens afslutning. Hans dagbog og breve fra krigens år rummer en nysgerrighed, livskraft og kærlighed, der har hjulpet og inspireret generationer langt ud over hans egen.Med sine dagbogsoptegnelser fra livet på søen, breve til kæresten Hanne og den tunge afsked fra fængslet inden døden tegnede han ikke blot et portræt af Danmark under besættelsen, men gav et af de stærkeste vidnesbyrd i dansk litteratur om vundet og tabt ungdom.Denne nye udgave rummer forord af Kim Malthe-Bruuns søster, Ruth Berner, og et omfattende billedmateriale fra familiens arkiv.”Er lige så bevægende læsning i dag som lige efter krigen.” 6 stjerner, Jyllands-Posten”Kim skriver som en digter.” 5 hjerter, PolitikenSom kun 21-årig blev Kim Malthe-Bruun henrettet af nazisterne den 6. april 1945 - få uger før krigens afslutning. Hans dagbog og breve fra krigens år rummer en nysgerrighed, livskraft og kærlighed, der har hjulpet og inspireret generationer langt ud over hans egen.

Genres: World War II, History, Nonfiction, Biography

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1949

About the author

http://www.executedtoday.com/2011/04/...

Reviews

[Aldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was... not what I expected. Kim Malthe-Bruun was a young Danish seaman who joined the anti-Nazi resistance movement in late 1944, before being arrested and executed a couple of months before the end of WW2. This book, published shortly after the war, contains his diary entries and letters to his girlfriend and mother, as well as another close confidante/relative, written between 1941 and 1945. And... except for the last 20 pages or so, there is absolutely nothing in this book about his involvement in the resistance. Nor are there any editorial additions that might provide some context about Denmark's involvement in the war or the general state of the Danish resistance movement at the time. Basically, it's a collection of letters a young dude sent to his loved ones while at sea. They're highly personal and frequently philosophical and it's not like they're dull to read, but I also often felt like I shouldn't be reading them, because, you know, personal. The Germans are mentioned a few times but even in the very last part of the book, when Kim is writing letters from prison awaiting his execution, there's next to no mention of how he came to be involved in the resistance or what he did for them (smuggling arms is mentioned in passing). I gather it's a personal project published by his mother; still, I didn't expect it to be quite so un-edited and context-free. They're touching letters, for sure, but to describe this as a book about a resistance fighter is beside the point given how little focus there is on that aspect of his life.

[summer61 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of letters by Kim Malthe-Bruun, a young Canadian-Dane who went to sea as a teenage merchant marine in Denmark, and then joined the Danish resistance during WWII. Malthe-Bruun had just fallen in love when he set out, and his letters to his girlfriend are full of the passionate idealism of an adventurous young man excited as he launches into the world. For me, a heartbreaking symbol of all the promising lives that were lost during that war and all wars.

[Søren Westergaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genlæst: Brevene står nu stærkere og mere bevægende end nogensinde. Også hans beskrivelser og kærlighed til sømandslivet, samt indtrykkene fra de krigshærgede lande gør indtryk. Hans glæde og begejstring ved livet - også dagen før sin henrettelse - er beundringsværdigt og smittende. For alle (unge) mennesker : Et MUST READ!!!

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I profiled Kim in an entry on the Executed Today blog.

[Bjørn Helge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stor kunst, hans alder tatt i betraktning. Moden og sterk leseropplevelse.

[Mari McR · Rating 3 out of 5]

To read this journal of a young man, who recounts his first love and his pending death, was humbling. Yes, I agree with the other reader, Aldi, that 95% of the diary described Kim's experience as a mariner during WWII, and given the lonely and long nights at sea, Kim dedicated long passages on his homesickness, loneliness, his cabin mates, his first and only love.

Although I wish the publication delved into how and the catalysts that led to Kim joining the resistance, I felt privileged to read Kim's thoughts before his execution. The most valuable reading passages were the last 20-25 pages where Kim describes how his realizations before his death might be "the best moments" as he did not fear death. He remained strong mentally with life-affirming thoughts.

I am uplifted reading how Kim's heart remained full of heart and courage and forgiveness, how he spent his final days thinking of Socrates and Jesus, Nitte, his Mom, Hanna...He felt LOVE rather than fear or hate. His yearning was not for himself but long lives and happiness for his Mother and his dearest friends.

Kim's Mother, whom I presume titled this diary when publishing, chose the title of "Heroic Heart." In my humble opinion, because so little of this book dwelt of Kim's involvement in the resistance, this book is more appropriately titled "Courageous Heart." I cannot fathom how Kim rose above the torture, the physical turmoil, disease, and starvation. He even described how he saw his last weeks seemingly from above: He viewed his German torturers as "little creatures" who are merely doing what they are told but that his soul and spirit remained untouched and surprisingly peaceful.

This 22 - 23-year-old man, similar to Anne Frank, experienced brilliance of mind and spirit, beyond not just their years, but many of our lifetimes.

[Bob Rehfeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story of a merchant mariner who eventually works with the Danish resistance against Germany in WWII. The story is told through letters to the young man’s girl friend and mother. It’s more of a philosophical narration of the young mans view on life and his eventual acceptance as a Christian.

The book falls flat because the author did very little to provide any factual or historical context to support the rather vague narrative in the letters. For example what was the role of Danish merchant marine during the war. A few pages describing the Danish resistance would have also helped the reader appreciate the dangers these young patriots endured.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this gem after briefly reading, Number the Stars. It is now out of print but I was lucky enough to find one lonely copy within the district. It has brought tears to my eyes a few times but I suggest this book to all of my friends who love to read. Kim Malthe-Bruun was an incredible man.

[Morten Lustrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tæt på det bedste jeg har læst fra den periode, om det så er fra KZ-fanger, modstandsfolk, politikere eller andre. Han er en ung udgave af Victor Klemperer, på den anden side af VK's husarrest, fra et andet land i Europa.

[Jens Beyerholm · Rating 4 out of 5]

En rigtig god bog som giver et indblik i Danmark under besættelsen.