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Change: Elin's Story 1
A tender historical novella set in 1860s Sweden — where a young girl stands at the edge of childhood, and the edge of the world she’s always known.
Dalsland, Sweden – 1864.
Twelve-year-old Elin rises before dawn to milk the cow, mind her younger brothers, and stir thin porridge over the fire. In a quiet village where everyone knows your name—and expects you to stay—she begins to feel the first stirrings of something more.
A failed harvest. A baby’s fever. A carved wooden horse. And a boy named Jonas, whose dreams stretch far beyond the lake. As childhood fades and winter closes in, Elin must choose between roots and wings, between what is safe and what might be waiting across the sea.
Change is the first novella in The Early Tales of Dalberg — a quiet, atmospheric coming-of-age trilogy that unfolds nearly two centuries before the modern-day Dalberg series begins. With folk sensibility and deep emotional resonance, it’s a story of girlhood, grief, first love, and quiet strength in a forgotten corner of Sweden.
For readers who loved The Snow Child, Anne of Green Gables, or the soul of Kristin Lavransdatter, this gentle historical novella will linger like winter light.
Elin’s story continues in Part Two — Shift — available now.
Part Three — Home — is coming soon.
Dalsland, Sweden – 1864.
Twelve-year-old Elin rises before dawn to milk the cow, mind her younger brothers, and stir thin porridge over the fire. In a quiet village where everyone knows your name—and expects you to stay—she begins to feel the first stirrings of something more.
A failed harvest. A baby’s fever. A carved wooden horse. And a boy named Jonas, whose dreams stretch far beyond the lake. As childhood fades and winter closes in, Elin must choose between roots and wings, between what is safe and what might be waiting across the sea.
Change is the first novella in The Early Tales of Dalberg — a quiet, atmospheric coming-of-age trilogy that unfolds nearly two centuries before the modern-day Dalberg series begins. With folk sensibility and deep emotional resonance, it’s a story of girlhood, grief, first love, and quiet strength in a forgotten corner of Sweden.
For readers who loved The Snow Child, Anne of Green Gables, or the soul of Kristin Lavransdatter, this gentle historical novella will linger like winter light.
Elin’s story continues in Part Two — Shift — available now.
Part Three — Home — is coming soon.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2025
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6 people want to read
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April 24, 2025
Change: Elin's Story 1 (Early Tales of Dalberg) novella
This wonderful story helps to flesh out a part of the history of Sweden presented in the Tale of Dalsland: A Swedish Heritage Book (Tales of Dalberg). The drought and famine that affected the people of Sweden in the late 1800s caused hundreds of thousands to relocate . Most Swedes came to America. The story of Elin and Jonas was the story of many Swedes. My grandfather was one who came to America because of the famine. He was 16 years old and the oldest child. When my grandfather left it was one less mouth to feed, and he was old enough to take care of himself in his parent’s eyes. I could feel how hard it was for families to be torn apart by hunger and a cast system through this novella. It was a blessing to me to read to feel a closer bond with my father’s family.
This wonderful story helps to flesh out a part of the history of Sweden presented in the Tale of Dalsland: A Swedish Heritage Book (Tales of Dalberg). The drought and famine that affected the people of Sweden in the late 1800s caused hundreds of thousands to relocate . Most Swedes came to America. The story of Elin and Jonas was the story of many Swedes. My grandfather was one who came to America because of the famine. He was 16 years old and the oldest child. When my grandfather left it was one less mouth to feed, and he was old enough to take care of himself in his parent’s eyes. I could feel how hard it was for families to be torn apart by hunger and a cast system through this novella. It was a blessing to me to read to feel a closer bond with my father’s family.
Displaying 1 of 1 review