Universal Library of Hamrun has just published a new book by Anton Grasso, one of Malta’s most prolific writers and the leading author of the horror genre. Bluha (Folly) is Grasso’s 26th volume of stories and his 46th publication. It is produced by Grasso, with the artwork designed by Mario Cocker.
Born in Paola in 1952, Anton Grasso, the eldest of three sons, lost his father at the tender age of eight. He describes himself as sensitive, emotional, a perfectionist and definitely not his mother’s favourite child.
He began writing at an early age, publishing his first writings in local newspapers. Perhaps without knowing it, writing was a safety valve for his sensitivity, his emotion, his keen sense of observation and a peephole into life’s disappointments. It is a valid reason why Grasso sometimes depicts his characters as helpless figures in destiny’s hand. He published his first book in 1974 when he was 22. Iljieli bla Qamar (Moonless Nights) is a collection of 30 stories, mainly with a horror theme. Grasso revised and re-published it in 1997.
In 1978, Anton Grasso began reading his stories on Radio Malta. The programme, simply named Horror Stories, remained popular for over 20 years. For a short time he even read his stories on TVM. After six years teaching religion, Maltese and English at Senglea and Bighi Trade Schools, in 1981 he joined Xandir Malta, today PBS, as a programme director – a post that he held until 2004. For 23 years, apart from directing a large number of various programmes, he translated into Maltese and read scores of documentaries on different subjects.
For 32 years, Grasso has kept a regular appointment with his numerous readers. Today he is a household name and a best-selling author. He has published novels, translations of novels and stories, a book of essays, two studies on the paranormal – of which Enigma was made into a very successful television series – a volume of poems, an autobiography and 26 volumes of stories. Most of his books have been sold out and 10 have been reprinted.
Bluha, which is printed by Printwell Ltd, is on sale at all leading stationeries.