KlabbKotba Maltin have recently published Alex Mizzi’s second book of short stories in Maltese, Sbiehil-Hadd.Novelli.
I just love short stories. I had passed through a phase when I literally gulped down all the short stories by Somerset Maugham, Bashevis Singer, Chekov, Alice Munroe, de Maupassant and many others. I have always been charmed by the fact that so much can be said, inferred or hinted in a few pages. But what is interesting, every writer does so in a very individual manner. The different arts of short story telling are like the distinctive brushstrokes of Van Gogh, Leonardo, Matisse or de Chirico. They could be made of the same pigments but the end result is different.
I enjoyed Alex Mizzi’s collection of fourteen short stories. Naturally I have my favorites butthat is quite normal.These short stories are always narrated by the main character.The writer does not describe the character.It is the narrator’s job to reveal himself or herself casually and very often indirectly by his/her own words, expectations, laissez faire, doubts, and intuitions.So the reader feels immediately immersed.
This author is a very keen observer of the minutiae of every day life, normal reactions, which often pass unnoticed, beliefs and suspicions. So he paints with small brush strokes, which give a realistic feeling. The reader identifies himself or else feels familiar with the scenario and feels involved.
His language is very direct, not convoluted at all, using words and commonly used expressions. He does not shy away from using certain words, which are strongly derived from English or Italian, which betray our colourful language.
Sometimes he is very subtle and gentle, preferring mildhints, which the reader takes up and suddenly becomes aware of a different reality. An example is Madeline where the narrator, a priest, talks about his conversations with a woman with marital problems and whom he meets every Sunday. The relationship was indeed a strong one with utterances of love. Those of you who, like me, are made of corrupt flesh fill in the dots in one way. Blessed are those who do not judge!
I think my favourite is the first story,In-Neqqu. The title is the nickname of the narrator’sgeography teacher whom he meets again by chance after many years in an old people’s home where he (the narrator) is trying to find his grandmother’s room. The old teacher takes up precious time engaging in small talk with his erstwhile pupil who reaches his grandmother’s room when she is already fast asleep. He leaves and tells herroom-mate that he would pass again but weeks go by and the grandmother dies. Remorse, doubts, anger. He goes again to the old people’s home to meet the room-mate and see if she did in fact tell his grandmother of his visit. The guilty person often tries to justify the ego, arguing that the body has tried hard even though the spirit was weak. Whilst there, he meets an old school mate who had suddenly left school and was working in the home as a cleaner. During a short discussion this narrator informs his friend about his meeting with In-Neqqu, and then the story explodes. That Neqqu had tried to abuse of the friend; hence the reason whyhe had abruptly left school. Revenge, anger! The friend, who was unaware of Neqqu’s presence in the home, is now furiously determined to face this dark figure from his past that had ruined his life.
I shall not divulge the ending of this short story because endings are often the very essence of the plot. I strongly recommend to the author, Alex Mizzi, not to stop writing short stories but I am completely convinced he should now experiment with full-blown novels. In factIn-Neqqu could very well be developed into one with additional characters and intertwining plots.
Humour finds its nest in the story Felix, who is the newly introduced kitten that takes over the entire attention of the family, leaving the narrator (the husband) feeling demoted to a mere inconsequential figure in the household. The husband tries to get rid of this pest and almost succeeds. No there is no cruelty involved but the wits of this poor husband are really and truly tried. But once again, I shall not divulge the ending. Really funny!
Just a taste of one other story, Ismael. That’s the name of a dark coloured boy who has been adopted by a Maltese couple. The adoptive father was a sailor who passed most of his time away from Malta.His wifewas a quiet village girl who felt quite alone for months in her husband’s absence. She is talking to her adopted son, Ismael. Shehad always told him she had broughthim from the Crèche sisters after she had given birth to a stillborn child, well before her husband could return backto Malta. Her husband had since died and Ismael has grown into a fine lad. The son gloats over old photos of his adoptive mother. Wonderful memories. Or not?
Alex Mizzi can weave a good yarn but even when the story is almost a non-event he reaches out and engages the reader. He creates pathos in what would otherwise be a very bland situation and sows doubt or suspicion by just a causal reference. He can surprise without being loud and remains sottovoce. He brings to the fore what we would otherwise ignore as secondary. He respects the reader by not trying to over-explain but leaves it to the reader to suck in the soft hints, which he inserts here and there. That is in essence what makes Alex Mizzia very good storyteller.