The Hours After: Letters of Love and Longing in War's Aftermath

This collection presents handwritten letters exchanged between Gerda Weissmann Klein and Kurt Klein following their meeting at the end of World War II. In May 1945, after surviving a 350-mile death march from a German slave labor camp to the Czech border, Gerda encountered Kurt, an American soldier, among the first to arrive at the liberated area. The two fell in love but were forced to separate weeks after their engagement. Separated for a year, Gerda and Kurt maintained a correspondence that continued until their reunion and wedding in Paris. Their letters address the horrors of war and genocide while centering on their love for each other. The collection reflects themes of survival, healing, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of overwhelming tragedy. The writers' shared appreciation for literature and values of decency emerge throughout their exchanges, which document both their emotional connection and their plans for the future.