Eight Maltese Books Any Literature Lover Needs To Get Their Hands On This Christmas
Fun, educational, and inspirational books are hands down the best Christmas present.
In celebration of Maltese literature, Malta’s Book Council came through with its yearly National Book Prize ceremony. From novels to research publications, this event shined a light on some of the best books our country has to offer.
Having said that, here are eight award-winning local publications the bookworm in your life will simply adore this Christmas. Let’s go!
1. Il-Wiċċ L-Ieħor by Ġorġ Peresso
This minimalist novel lets your imagination take control of the abstract narrative.
Il-Wiċċ L-Ieħor focuses on two characters – a man and a woman. The former is an art critic who loves looking at faces but has a blank face himself. The latter is a beautiful woman, moved by nothing but luxury and faces. These characters come together in this novel where sensuality is laid bare.
Il-Wiċċ L-Ieħor won author Ġorġ Peresso the prize for ‘Best Novel’ during the National Book Prize 2020.
Click here to purchase this novel.
2. Għall-Glorja Tal-Patrija! by Aleks Farrugia
Does Maltese society pique your interest? If the answer’s yes, then Farrugia’s Għall-Glorja Tal-Patrija’s the perfect book for you.
This collection of 20 short stories studies Maltese society through different periods of the country’s history. These comedic, tragic, and sometimes ironic stories pose some pertinent questions, like ‘could Malta have won the Great Siege by mistake?’ and ‘who was the first Maltese person?’.
Author Aleks Farrugia won the National Book Prize for ‘Best Collection of Short Stories’ for his work on Għall-Glorja Tal-Patrija! – so you know it must be good.
Click here to purchase this book.
3. Tluq by John Aquilina
Thinking of giving the literature lover in your life the gift of poetry this Christmas?
If so, then you’re in luck! Well-renowned local poet John Aquilina released a new collection of poems titled Tluq not too long ago. This publication was well-loved by critics, winning the author an award for ‘Best Maltese Poetry’ during this year’s National Book Prize.
So you can rest assured that whoever’s lucky enough to be the recipient of your gift this Christmas will love this publication.
Click here to purchase this poetry book.
4. Żewġ Drammi: Appuntamenti / Repubblica Immakulata by Simone Spiteri
Simone Spiteri’s latest collection of plays will leave you thinking for days on end.
Żewġ Drammi consists of two of the playwrights best-known works – Appuntamenti, written in 2009, and Repubblika Immakulata, written in 2019. The former offers some clever insight into human relations whilst the latter’s a political critique of the country.
This collection won Spiteri the National Book Prize for ‘Best Play’, so you know it’s good.
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5. Ir-Redentur: History, Art and Cult of the Miraculous Effigy of Chris the Redeemer at Senglea, Malta by Jonathan Farrugia
Malta’s culture and history is practically shaped by its strong relationship with Christianity.
Priest Jonathan Farrugia takes a close look at one of the country’s most iconic religious statues – the Redentur statue in Senglea. This figure has long been thought miraculous, so much so that devotees from all across the islands often frequent. So make this the best Christmas ever for the culture-lover in your life by getting them a copy of this book.
Oh, by the way! This publication won Farrugia the award for ‘Best Biographical and Historiographic Research’ at this year’s National Book Prize.
Click here to purchase this book.
6. The Joannes Gennadius Maltese Treasure Trove in Athens by Arnold Cassola
Professor, writer, and former politician, Arnold Cassola is the definition of ‘jack of all trades’.
Cassola’s latest publication, The Joannes Gennadius Maltese Treasure Trove in Athens looks into the materials collected by the bibliophile Joannes Gennadius, which are now part of the Gennadius Library of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens.
If you’ve got any history fanatics in your life, then do them a favour and buy them a copy of this book this Christmas – you won’t regret it.
Click here to purchase this book.
7. Murder On The Malta Express by Carlo Bonini, John Sweeney, and Manuel Delia
There hasn’t been a day in the past few years where journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder isn’t mentioned – and with good reason.
In Murder On The Malta Express, Carlo Bonini, John Sweeney, and Manuel Delia set out the evidence on the dirty money merchants exposed by the late journalist. The book’s also written in Caruana Galizia’s honour.
Murder On The Malta Express won the three writers the National Book Prize for ‘Best Literary Non-Fiction’.
Click here to purchase this book.
8. The Unreality Of Realism: An Insular Perspective on the Development of Modern Art by Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci
Art’s one of those things that only looks easy until you get round to trying it out yourself.
Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci’s latest publication offers a critical analysis of Realism as manifested in nineteenth and twentieth-century art. Beginning with the premise that the study of art history is an inquiry into power mechanisms and hence also the relationship between truth and power, the author examines a myriad of canonical positions that have framed the history of modern art.
Schembri Bonaci’s publication won the local publishing house, Horizons Malta the ‘Best Book Production’ award at the National Book Prize.
Click here to purchase this book.