Juann Mamo's cult novel Ulied in-Nanna Venut fl-Amerka about social and political life in early twentieth century Malta and Maltese emigrants in New York will be available soon in bookshops  in a new, critical edition published by SKS Publishers. This is one of the three books being published as part of its Sensiela Juann Mamo, with covers designed by Pierre Portelli, one of Malta’s leading artists and graphic designers.

Edited by Dr Adrian Grima of the Department of Maltese at the University of Malta in consultation with leading language expert Prof. Manwel Mifsud, this fourth edition follows very closely Mamo's original edition published in numbers in 1930-31, including his many footnotes, and then republished in 1971-72 by the satirical newspaper Ix-Xewka and in book form for the first time by SKS in 1984. For decades Mamo’s novel was in effect ignored by the literary and critical establishment because of the unorthodox nature of his literary style and critical content.

The new edition has a critical introduction by Adrian Grima and an extensive glossary that will allow readers to look into the fascinating world of Mamo’s creativity with language. However, SKS is also publishing a companion book to the novel with information about many of the real life figures mentioned by Mamo, from prominent Maltese politicians and activists and common people who became popular figures in the community, to world renowned scientists and personalities of American popular culture. The brainchild of veteran journalist and writer Anton Cassar, this book also includes extensive research by Olivia Borg and Adrian Grima.

The third book in this series related to Juann Mamo is a critical edition by Annalise Vassallo of his collected poems. The title of this book, Theggiga lill-Kittibin, is taken from one of Mamo’s most engaging poems, most of which were all published in the Maltese press. This new book allows readers to get to know other sides of Mamo’s complex personality which are not always immediately apparent in his prose writings. Three of the poems in the book are long narrative works published in booklet formby Mamo in 1913 soon after being released from prison: “L-Ghannej Qormi u l-Ghannej Zejtuni,” “Bikja ta’ Xebba” and “Iz-Zija u l-Fatat”. In these poems his interpretation of everyday life in early twentieth century Malta differs quite radically in tone from the harsh criticism he levels at his compatriots in Ulied in-Nanna Venut fl-Amerka almost twenty years later.     

These three books edited by Adrian Grima and will be available next Saturday during a Conference on Juann Mamo in Valletta at the pre-publication price of €20 instead of €25.

Sensiela Juann Mamo will be published by SKS Publishers.