In response to a strong market demand the publishing house SKS (Sensiela Kotba Socjalisti) is launching a reprint of Alfred Sant's epic-historical novel La Bidu, La Tmiem, 1599 (No beginning, no end, 1599). The new edition will be launched in the beginning of November to coincide with the Book Festival at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
Sant, long considered to be one of Malta's foremost playwrights and novelists, started writing this novel in 2000. Published by PEG in a first edition that flew off the shelves, demand for it (even from public libraries) has been consistent over the years.
With his academic and economic background in major universities, Alfred Sant's writing is marked by a scrupulous attention to a method and style that is accessible to the reader.
La Bidu, La Tmiem can be read on different levels: there's that of the historical adventure genre and there's a reading that weaves together all the plots and conspiracies of 16th century Europe, when Catholic Spain was the dominant political power in Europe.
Sant delves into intriguing scenarios that blend together male and female demons, hermits accused of supernatural deeds and labeled "heretics", as well as dramatic events, such as the raging storm over both Rome and the caves in the Miskat Valley, limits of Rabat (Malta).
The author writes about giants and gods, elderly grubby people living in caves, Knights and rich Maltese who had gone to live in the new capital city, Valletta. The novel's ambience seems to be in thrall to the demonic world, a popular obsession in the century in which Sant's novel is set.
Sant, who has always shown a keen interest in the socio-historical and political novel, also tackles the Order's rule in Malta at a time when the Knights had abandoned their religious vows of charity, poverty and chastity and lived a disreputable and profligate life tarred by corruption, luxury, women and assorted prostitutes of both sexes.
The Europe that appears in Sant's novel is that of cities such as Madrid, Rome and Palermo. This is an expansive work chock-a-block with scenes reminiscent of classic cinema in its depiction of hooded monks, threats and dangers on cliffs and the discovery of a mysterious trove of bones.
Readers who find thrilling and fast-paced literature difficult to put down are in for a treat and should be delighted with Alfred Sant's impressive work, now available in a new edition.