New "Travers" shows humanism still blossoms in an increasingly harsh Sweden

Sven Olov Karlsson's new literary reportage, "Travers," offers a profound look at the lives of seventeen residents in the Westmanland town of Norberg. Karlsson, who was born and raised in Norberg, uses his deep connection to the area to illuminate the stories of its inhabitants. The book presents tender portraits of people living in a Sweden that is increasingly perceived as lacking in tenderness.

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Even the simplest tract can hold entire cathedrals of stories. Like the mining and industrial town of Norberg. I was born there, grew up there, and I still have one foot there.

"Travers" shares a similar structure to Marit Kapla's acclaimed "Osebol," which featured interviews with nearly all adult residents of a small village. However, Karlsson's work focuses on Norberg, a smaller urban area with just over four thousand inhabitants. The conversations, recorded as part of the "Hela Norberg berättar" (All of Norberg Tells) project, are preserved at Arkiv Västmanland. Karlsson conducted these interviews in 2022, a time when the effects of the so-called refugee crisis and the pandemic were still fresh.

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Migration Agency. For me, that word is... darkness.

One of the individuals featured is Lena, who runs a sewing and language group for women. She expresses frustration with the Swedish Migration Agency, calling the word "darkness." Lena shares her experiences helping and befriending refugees, stating, "I believe we have mistreated these people. There is no humanism whatsoever in how Swedish authorities have treated them." This sentiment contrasts sharply with the broader societal challenges highlighted in the book, such as the stark economic disparities in Sweden, where 700,000 people live in poverty while a small number of billionaires significantly increase their wealth.

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I believe we have mistreated these people. There is no humanism whatsoever in how Swedish authorities have treated them.

The book also touches upon Norberg's economic past, once home to Europe's most modern blast furnace. Inga-Stina recalls its opening, mentioning royal attendance, but explains that declining raw material prices and the high cost of mining led to the closure of the mine. She notes the devastating impact of losing three hundred jobs on a small community, affecting local businesses, banks, and schools. Karlsson's "Travers" thus captures a community grappling with structural changes, rising inequality, and the enduring resilience of its people.

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It hits a small community very hard when three hundred jobs disappear. Everyone around is affected. The shops, the banks, the schools.