Anders Swanson always wondered why his adventure ended where others saw beginnings. He had endured the third-class crossing, the humiliations and the shattered dream of acres for himself.
Always late, he had accepted work where his able body could deliver. But lingering too long, his strength and wealth had waned into prohibition bourbon.
It was time to face retreat, the country that he once had left was now a dream for wealth. Once again he could be Anders Svensson — Sven’s son — who left his family to broken promises. For his father’s sake he would now repay those debts.
© Copyright Jean L. Hays
The emigration from Sweden was stunningly large. 1.3 Million Swedes emigrated from a country that was a among the poorest in Europe. Those that came first could break new land, and many were successful. Other’s became workers and faced moderate success or failure. Actually about 20% of those that emigrated returned to Sweden, that changed rapidly at the same time. Read more in the Wikipedia article here, or if you have time check out the emigrant series by Wilhelm Moberg.
The videoclip (in Swedish) is from the musical Kristina från Dufvemåla, written by Björn Ulveaus and Benny Andersson of ABBA, and describe another failure (gold turning to sand).
Friday Fictioneers is a wonderful blogging community under our faithful leader Rochelle Wissoff-Fields and we all write fiction in 100 words to the same picture.
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January 7, 2014
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Dear Bjorn,
Fascinating history and a great tale to accompany and illustrate. Perfect for the prompt and even more so for those Swedes that returned home. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
I grew up with the films and the books of the emigration…It was actually 25% that emigrated.. that make it one of the largest percentages…
Dear Björn,
So many emigrants endured hardship for the promise of land and freedom only to be robbed of their life savings and self-esteem. You’ve told the story well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I think that many that came late had more problems.. they where cheap labor, and I’m sure that it affected many other immigration groups more.
Wonderful characterisation in such a short piece Bjorn, and a great story to tell. I’m sure it’s just me but it felt like the last line was missing a word or two at the end – repay what?
Claire
Ah.. I have to think about that.. it needs a noun.. but there is a debt embedded there… hmm Thank you for the input. Repay his debts.. (means I have to cut a few words somewhere else .. I try to be 100 words strict).
I think it works better now… hmm
the relationship of father and son is always so deep and encompasses so many levels- whether the relationship is seen as good or bad does seem to matter- the depth and the consequences/ results are always there.
Indeed.. and hopefully making amends will help.. a father should always be ready to forgive his son.
Strong tale of disillusionment, well told.
Thank you.. yes you have to know yourself before a venture…
Not all who immigrate find their dreams come true, no matter how hard they work. I love the way you characterized it with “his strength and wealth had waned into prohibition bourbon.” Heart-breaking, but I hope he’ll find redemption when he returns home.
janet
Many did.. Sweden had changed a lot during the time they where away, and coming back I’m sure he could redeem himself…
At least he had somewhere to which he could return. Not everyone had that.
Excellent story Bjorn. I never cease to learn at Friday Fictioneers.
Thank you.. yes I know there are always something new to learn
The historical background definitely added to the richness of this tale. I could almost see a parallel between this and the American gold rush, where travelers headed west to seek their fortunes, and so very few found them.
Actually the song below is about the younger brother that fail in the goldrush and comes back a wreck, so inspired me a lot…
Ooo, a story and some history. My favorite sort of read when going through the other entries for FridayFictioneers. I’ll admit immigration from Sweden to America has never really demanded much of my attention 1.3 millions from a country that size is certainly breath-taking. I also really love the warmth that seems to radiate from the idea of going home and being “Sven’s son” once more. There’s a lovely completeness about it.
It was a time of rapid change in many dimensions.. and directions..
Going home. Lovely thought. Have you read Accordion Crimes by W Annie Proux – she looks at most of the immigrant groups using their music as a link.
No I have not read it.. Thank you for the tip.. I might follow up on that one.
Great story told in a nutshell. I have read all of Wilhelm Moberg’s novels and really enjoyed them at the time.
They made me aware of all potential relatives I might have there.
Dear Bjorn,
I knew next to nothing about Swedish immigrants before reading your post today although I have long been aware of their presence in some of our northern states. Thanks for sharing this bit of history.
All my best,
Marie Gail
Love a bit of historical fiction!
I didn’t know about this mass emigration. It is a bitter reality, how people have to leave their homelands in search of better opportunities elsewhere.
A thoughtful tale. I liked the reference of changing back to Svensson, “Sven’s son”, sounding almost like Sweden’s son. 🙂
Well, I just read that at one time Chicago was the city with the highest number of Swedes outside Stockholm! It must have been hard to immigrate, but I do know that Swedes contributed much to the US.
Very nice story! Poor guy.
a nice bit of history here
This is a very interesting story, and I think it’s always very brave to return home when such things happen. I like your protagonist despite his lack of success.
Bjorn,
the area I live now in Iowa has a lot of immigrants from Scandinavia, so there are still a lot of evidences of the culture in this area. The name switch in your story is telling. I’m sure that was the case for a lot who came to North America during that era.
-David
Great story. Immigrants have it tough – no matter what the era. (Your last line reads nicely now per Clairs’s suggestion)
interesting read. i’m an immigrant myself, so this story does ring a bell.
A fascinating story – I had no idea immigrants left Sweden in such large numbers or that it had once been poor. You capture the problems that face many an immigrant well.
Isn’t that interesting. In my mind I can not imagine who would ever want to leave Sweden.
A really touching story of disappointment, but not despair. I like how you had him return home and revert to his original name. The immigrant road is always difficult.
It always surprises me how one can express emotions in just 100 words. Very well done. Very touching.
I like the turn-around, his dreams of a future in a new land turned to dreams of a future in the land he left behind.
That is a sad tale, but I really enjoyed how you were able to weave in some historical truth into it. The lure of dreams can be strong, but sometimes the pull of home can be stronger.
This is one of my favorites of yours, Björn. It rings with truth and bittersweet reality. Anders’ journey brings him full circle, and given how many of these journeys ended poorly, that is a much better outcome! The history and video at the end is icing on the cake! Thanks for including it.
2 suggestions: In the first sentence, it should be otherS. In the final paragraph, first sentence, drop the the “had” before left. Passive voice– without it is stronger and you save a word. 😉
Excellent suggestions.. And then I can add a word to make it even stronger – thank you so much Dawn.
My ancestors came from southern Germany in 1805 and landed near Philadelphia. It took about 100 years to work their way to Arkansas and homestead the property we now live on. Loved the history and the video.
Even your stories read like poetry, Bjorn. Emigrants have a lot at stake and make a lot of sacrifices. Nicely told.
I enjoyed your story, and hope there’s a happy ending in store for Anders.
Great story, Björn. I’m glad he was able to come home with a new sense of pride and purpose. So often people prefer to remain stuck in their misery far from home than admit that the dream didn’t work out.
I have a Norwegian friend who has researched her own vast family’s migration to America. She says she’ll have to be careful writing it up because there are some skeletons she’s uncovered!
My great grandparents were original immigrants from Sweden. I still drive by their old house from time to time. They were among the moderately successful.
Excellent story Bjorn, there is always something new to learn here. Well done.
The US is full of such stories. The Gold Rushes in particular tended to create broken dreams and a decent into alcohol.
interesting, happy new year
Interesting background and story. Sometimes what you seek is right where you are.
To cross the ocean in search for better life, just to realize you left it behind…Well captured
Love a history lesson in these 100 word challenges, nicely told.
Cheers
KT
Fascinating bit of history retold. I liked the little footnote at the end too.
This is a very touching story and one that left me feeling sad. Sad in the good way though, not in the bad way. We have a very large Swedish population here in Minneapolis, MN. I’m always hesitant to plug my blog on other blogs but you’ve visited there before so it’s not like it’s total spam. Plus, you might like the post.
Good story! I emigrated from my country, too but had no choice since I was still a child. Our family have found success here in Canada. But there are losses, too. I thought I could go home but I was wrong. I can never go home again – not to stay. That is one of our losses.
Lily
I can only imagine, Bjorn, how homesick people were for families and countries left behind, especially when they met with misfortune in the country they traveled to and worked so hard in. That was a beautiful story and the song was lovely. What a talent that young man has. Well done. — Suzanne