These are some of the most iconic local publications.
There are many Maltese writers making their work public nowadays – something that is only possible thanks to a number of iconic books and publications that paved the way for contemporary local literature.
While it’s pretty impossible to pay tribute to all of these important writers, here are eight of what we believe are the most ground-breaking Maltese books:
Fil-Parlament Ma Jikbrux Fjuri (1986) – Oliver Friggieri
This novel is no stranger to controversy, as it attacked the extreme division stemming from politics during a politically tumultuous period in Malta.
Il-Gaġġa (1971) – Frans Sammut
Il-Gaġġa left quite the impact upon its release – and it keeps doing so to this day.
This book served as the basis for the first feature film to be made with an entirely Maltese script, having been adapted by Mario Philip Azzopardi for his film school thesis. Azzopardi’s work was considered so culturally important that it received a theatrical release in 2007.
The Maltese Bestiary (2014) – Stephan D. Mifsud
As a biologist with an interest in fantastic creatures, Stephan D. Mifsud thought that Malta lacked a concise folklore encyclopedia – so he created one himself!
The Maltese Bestiary, which was in the works since 2011, is a groundbreaking compendium of creatures from Maltese and Gozitan folklore, written and illustrated by Mifsud himself.
Birds of Passage (2005) – Lou Drofenik
Written in English by Lou Drofenik, this novel focuses on Maltese women’s migration to Australia, exploring how the two countries’ respective cultures affected them and their moral identities.
In Drofenik’s own words, the novel commemorates “the resilience of Maltese and Gozitan women” who left everything behind for a better life.
Ineż Farruġ (1889) – Anton Manwel Caruana
Published in 1889, Ineż Farruġ is the first Maltese novel written by a Maltese person, and it was based on traditional Italian novels like Alessandro Manzoni’s I Promessi Sposi.
On the other hand, the first ever Maltese-language novel is Elvira jew Imħabba ta’ Tirann, written by Italian author Giuseppe Folliero de Luna in 1863.
Leli ta’ Ħaż-Żgħir (1938) – Ġużè Ellul Mercer
The first Maltese psychological novel of its kind, Leli ta’ Ħaż-Żgħir explores how ignorance can lead to exploitation.
Leli, the eponymous antihero of the novel, starts reading books lent to him by the atheist village outcast. However, according to Oliver Friggieri’s analysis, the more Leli reads, the more he struggles to “reconcile philosophy with faith” – leading to a personal crisis.
Ħala taż-Żgħożija (1970) – Lino Spiteri
This book of short stories focuses on many topics that remain relevant to Maltese society to this day.
At least one novella focuses on the destruction of the environment, anticipating the construction boom that would arrive later on.
Requiem for a Malta Fascist (1980) – Francis Ebejer
One of Ebejer’s seven English novels, Requiem for a Malta Fascist provides a portrait of Malta throughout three decades: the 1920s, 30s and 40s.
In this book, Ebejer depicts the political and social climate surrounding the Language Question, which escalated during World War Two. The Question was a dispute about whether Malta’s main language should be English or Italian, with Maltese being considered as nothing more than the tongue of the common people.
What are your favourite Maltese novels?
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