This is the story of Toninu, a little boy growing up in Furjana, a suburb in the tiny island of Malta, during the 50s of the past century when it was still a British colony. His gradual awareness of life's realities, equally harsh and sweet, sets him on a voyage of discoveries and gently untangles the bonds of parental love that seeks to shelter him. His journey is peopled with colourful characters weaving in and out of the rich tapestry of life around him. The novel provides a unique description of life of islanders.
Let Fair Weather Bring Me Home revolves around a number of characters living on the small Mediterranean island of Malta, then a British colony, in the 1930s. It tells the anguished story of a mother who is reunited with her son, born out of wedlock and raised in a Roman Catholic Church institution, and a much maligned priest who returns to the island his reputation finally vindicated. It all takes place around Malta's fabled Grand Harbour where for more than a century Britain kept her fleets. Oliver Friggieri is an acclaimed novelist with numerous international publications to his name. His stronger novels are set around the Mediterranean, particularly on the island of Malta and its people, both of which provide him with an ideal environment to discuss customs, prejudices and crumbling once firmly embraced beliefs.
Children Come By Ship is a devastating novel set in the 1930s that attempts to discover the roots of a long-gone social and religious interrelationship on the Southern Mediterranean island of Malta, a former British colony. The drama plays havoc with two central characters, a heroic Roman Catholic priest and an unmarried young girl betrayed by her own innocence. In an attempt to rehabilitate the hapless Susanna, the priest falls under suspicion, is condemned by all, ostracised, and eventually forced to flee the island.Oliver Friggieri is internationally renowned for his in-depth analysis of Mediterranean cultures, particularly that of his native Malta. His works have been translated into several languages. His novels provide a skilful portrayal of customs, prejudices and once strongly held beliefs from an era which has long disappeared but still marks today's generations. He is best known for his bestselling skillful, captivating style. His works flow from a deep understanding of the spirit that writs large in the Mediterranean but is common to mankind.
Susanna has done her best to raise her son, Wistin. After the heartache of having him taken away, and the struggle to reclaim him, she hopes her marriage to Arturu would bring happiness and stability to their lives. Wistin is now a young man. Dissatisfied with life, he feels he has no place, that he is worthless because of who he is (or who he isn't). His real father is out there, though, and may or may not have answers. Father Grejbel knows the truth; he and Susanna went through the heartaches together. He has always tried to help and to care for the villagers. He has a special connection to Wistin, but perhaps not even his counsel will stop Wistin from becoming a man like his father: disenchanted, rudderless, unable or unwilling to face up to responsibility. It seems Wistin needs to learn what's important all by himself. Oliver Friggieri is a widely acknowledged author with several international publications to his name. Most of his themes centre around the picturesque natural Grand Harbour of his native island of Malta and the Mediterranean. His skilful excavation of Mediterranean customs, prejudices and strongly held beliefs has made him an undisputed authority on the subject.
Die Geschichten von Oliver Friggieri bestechen durch Schlichtheit, Sensibilität und einen ausgeprägten Sinn für soziale Gerechtigkeit. Auch zeugen sie von einer tiefen Verbundenheit des Autors mit seiner Heimat Malta. Dass sie niemals larmoyant daherkommen, macht ihren besonderen Charme aus. „Die beste Art, ein Land kennenzulernen, ist seine Schriftsteller zu lesen“, schrieb der Soziologe Albert Memmi einst in einem Vorwort zu einer Anthologie. Zum Beitritt Maltas in die EU möchten wir diesen weisen Satz aufgreifen und Sie einladen, sich auf Malta einzulassen.
Friggieri entführt uns in ein kleines maltesisches Dorf in den zwanziger Jahren des letzten Jahrhunderts. Man lebt nach festen Regeln, die es einzuhalten gilt. Die Protagonistin erfährt leidvoll, wie sie aufgrund einer ungewollten Schwangerschaft sanktioniert wird. Einziger Beistand ist der Dorfpfarrer, dem seine Hilfsbereitschaft und sein ungebrochener Glaube an das Gute im Menschen zum Verhängnis werden sollen…
