A passage to Sweden

A fictional novel about well-hidden pasts and the emotional consequences of the Estonia-disaster.

A brief encounter with a young Swede on a ferry encourages 18-year-old Tonia Malibovic to turn her back on her gloomy life in the former Soviet Union (today's Baltic state of Estonia) in exchange for a better future in Sweden. She entirely breaks off her relations with her native country. In Stockholm she starts a new life. The years pass and Tonia suddenly finds her carefree life disturbed by a letter from home summoning her to return to Estonia. Two of her children accompany her on her trip to settle some famliy matters. On 27 September 1994 they return home. On an icy cold evening in Tallinn they embark on MS Estonia, never to reach their home again.

A ferry brought Tonia into his life and it was a ferry that tore her away again. Apart from the tragic loss of his wife and daughters Carl Hansson is haunted by his own past, which he had always kept well-hidden from his wife. His son meanwhile is trying to solve the puzzle of his mother's life in Estonia.

A passage to Sweden/Nico de Beer, 288 pages. Publication in The Netherlands in March 2003

7 March 2003

Presentation of first copy of the novel 'Overtocht naar Zweden' to the Swedish Ambassador, Mr Skala, at the residence in The Hague during a very hearty reception.

• presenting the first copy to Mr Skala
• Nico de Beer, Mr Skala and Anita Haaijer
• publisher Maud Diemer (Servo)