Having written the most successful trilogy in Maltese publishing history is a tough act to follow. Four years ago, Loranne Vella – together with co-author Simon Bartolo – changed the face of Maltese fantasy literature with their Fiddien trilogy: Sqaq l-Infern, Wied Wirdien and Il-Gnien tad-Dmugh smashed all sales records for Malta, won the National Book Award for each of the three instalments, garnered fans from the 10+ age group right through to adults, and set a whole generation of hitherto “will-read-anything-as-long-as-it’s-in-English” reading a Maltese adventure.
To say that everyone has been waiting for Vella’s next oeuvre is an understatement of sorts. And, having seen an exclusive pre-publication in-the-works draft manuscript, we can confirm that, yes, Loranne Vella’s much-awaited new novel will be line-for-line as powerful, as intense and as beautiful as anything in Fiddien.
SOMETHING NEW
Yet it is also something utterly different, as different in fact from the trilogy as one could imagine. And that, perhaps, is the pleasant surprise. Far too many authors, locally and internationally, get caught up in their own successful formula and spend a career rehashing slightly modified versions of it. It takes a courageous – not to mention extremely talented – author to risk changing course and trying out something new. But this is exactly what Vella has done, and managed to pull off, with her new novel.
manic! can reveal that Vella’s new book will be called Magna™ Mater. Enigmatic as names go, although everything will be clear upon reading the novel. Set in the not-too-distant future, it is a compulsive page-turner that takes us on a rollercoaster ride through a rich, multi-layered plot.
Fans of Vella, especially those familiar with her other non-Fiddien writings, such as her contribution to Merlin’s 45 anthology, will not be surprised to learn that she can move effortlessly from writing about futuristic situations, to writing about gadgetry and virtual realities, to anything-but-virtual tough neighbourhood situations, to delving into relationships, friendships and family life. Vella’s writing refuses to be stereotyped – and Magna™ Mater confirms this. Beautifully written, Magna™ Mater will confirm Loranne Vella as one of the most interesting – and intriguing – writers of her generation.
SKATEBOARDING SUBCULTURE
One of the myriad landscapes for the novel is the world of skateboarding – a subculture that’s possibly never been explored in Maltese literature. Yet even this is done in Vella’s special way: we cannot reveal too much here, but prepare yourselves for a journey through skateparks as you’ve never seen them before.
The characters in Magna™ Mater are one of the highlights of the novel: well-rounded, life-like characters with their own fears, foibles, neuroses and relationships. A number of characters remain mysterious throughout most of the novel, as layer after layer of the narrative is unpeeled and we see more and more of the real picture that is the world of Magna™ Mater.
Magna™ Mater is currenty in pre-publication stages and will be published by Merlin Publishers in a few months’ time. Those who have laid their hands on an early manuscript copy predict that it will be one of the highlights of the Maltese publishing year. Merlin’s art director Pierre Portelli is putting together a striking visual concept to complement Vella’s narrative, with artwork by artist Steffi Degiorgio.