Il-Gżira l-Bajda u Stejjer Oħra
Short Stories by Joe Friggieri
A review
Generations of students at the University of
Malta know Joe Friggieri as a Professor of Philosophy and the author of the
first (3-volume) history of philosophy in Maltese. He is, however, also one of
the leading literary figures who came of age in the Maltese modernist “wave” of
the 60s and 70s. His literary output
includes plays, poetry and the form in which he is most prolific – short stories.
"Il-Gżira l-Bajda u Stejjer Oħra" (The White
Island and Other Stories) is a recent collection of stories (published in
2017) many of which are appearing in print for the first time. They are characterised by brevity – at a
handful of pages each, they could almost qualify as “flash fiction”.
At first glance, the majority of the featured pieces appear to
follow a linear narrative. However, one barely needs to scratch under their
surface to realise that they are more cryptic than they initially reveal. Take “Vaganza
t-Tuniżija” (A Holiday in Tunisia).
Law students Paul and Ruth go on a trip to North Africa.
Paul is looking forward to an amorous conquest. Ruth joins only because Paul is
footing the bill. Once there, she contrives to separate from her would-be lover, not unlike
the protagonist of Antal Szerb’s Journey by Moonlight. Ruth finds a local
guide, seeks alternative accommodation and cuts off all communication with
Paul, who only learns of his companion’s whereabouts through the Facebook page
of their common friend, Sara. When the
time comes to go back to Malta, Ruth stays on for another week. On her return, Ruth
seeks out Sara to tell her about her experience, but discovers that Paul and
Sara are now a couple. The story
is deceptively simple, the narrative satisfying. But what exactly is its
message? Should we feel sorry for Ruth, unceremoniously ditched by a potential partner
who has run off with her best friend? Or should we admire her as a strong female
figure, who has chosen independence over what was expected from her? Or is it just a matter of Sara and Ruth
having different priorities, with different views on femininity?
For a male author, it is surprising how many of the stories feature female
protagonists and/or narrators and deliver a feminist message. One could mention the title piece,
“Il-Gżira l-Bajda”, about a new wife who is already seems to be having doubts
about marriage during her honeymoon; or “No(ra)vella” in which a woman sends
her unfaithful husband a string of mischievous emails.
Throughout, one gets the sense that the stories
mean more that they say and that there are hidden depths in them waiting to be
discovered. In this respect, perhaps these stories are best understood when one
remembers the other forms at which Friggieri excels. The dialogue – as befits
the work of a playwright – is natural, witty and reveals much about the
characters. And, as in poetry, brevity is by no means an indication of
superficiality.
Hardcover, 176 pages
Published 2017 by Kite Group
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