L-Istar tal-Imgħoddi 
Alfred Massa
Horizons 2nd Edition 2018,
ISBN 978-99957- 75-18-6

We are constantly escaping from someone, something or some place. Persons or situations that disrupt our comfort zone are best remedied by moving away from them or avoiding them. We invent excuses and lies to remain safe and happy as much as possible. So common is this feeling 0that in literature we speak about 'escapism' many a times as a central poetic theme. Although we may appear to be active and love doing different things, in essence we prefer living a cocooned life, doing the same things over and over again and immediately react when our status quo changes. How true is the old adage 'the more things change the more they remain the same'.

The historical novel has always been a popular genre of writing with established and non-established authors. In fact it appears that many have tried their hand at this form of writing. One can mention for example Robert Graves's I Claudius, Franz Werfel's Forty Days of Musa Dagh, Sir Walter Scott's Waverley, and Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

Malta too has had its spate of writers who produced similar literary works for example, Gużè Aquilina in Taħt Tliet Saltniet, Anton Manwel Caruana's Ineż Farruġ, J.J. Camilleri in Aħna Sinjuri, Zmien li Tibni, Żmien li Tħott; Alfred Sant's, La Bidu, La Tmiem, Kilin in Tinsiex, Publius! Tinsiex! and Frans Sammut in Il-Ħolma Maltija.

It can be said that the reason why the historical novel has remained popular with writers and readers alike lies in the fact that this type of writing has all the necessary ingredients to capture the reader's attention while allowing the writer to use his creative skills. This obviously requires not only literary abilities but also implies that a considerable amount of research is necessary for the novel to move in consonance with historical events.

Often, the historical novel was employed by authors at times when their country was facing difficulties relating to freedom of expression or foreign oppression. They may recall the nation's past glories instigating the audience to a return to victorious times. In this regard the other twin sisters of literature, music and art, also played a part in such a scheme. In this novel too, L-Istar tal-Imgħoddi, for instance, Massa does not hesitate to quote Dun Karm Psaila's patriotic sonnet Lil Malta or Carl Peter: Yet his great energy drove him forward. (p. 85)

The English equivalent for the word 'star' in Maltese is 'veil'. Within the context of this novel, the 'veil' is a personification spread over countries, experiencing similar or quasi-similar events. In this case Malta and Czechoslovakia.

While continuously discussing events taking place in Czechoslovakia however, what the author has really in mind is the island of Malta. L-Istar tal-Imgħoddi was published for the first time in 1977. At that time and during the preceding years Malta was indeed facing its social and politcal difficulties. It was a time of change from a fortress colony to an independent republic - a change which not only had its political implications but its social significations too.

Massa does not explicitly use the Maltese environment to transmit his message of what Malta was going through at that particular time but instead reflects on the events taking place in Czechoslovakia, recognising that both countries were fighting for a particular ideal namely: political liberty and freedom of expression.

The author himself takes the place of one of the main protagonists so that he is involved directly in the plot and for this reason is able to narrate the story with confidence.

In this novel, Malta is represented by two protagonists, Dr Bondin and Dr Cassar, who leave the tiny island for a vacation to Czechoslovakia after having successfully completed their medical studies. It happens that both protagonists are doctors by profession whose job is therefore to diagnose and cure diseases but the 'disease' they are diagnosing is not physical but rather a political one. While the two protagonists are portrayed as being heroes in trying to escape 'oppression' and 'occupation' one of them, Dr Bondin, also becomes a martyr when he is killed by 'enemy' fire.

The escape which also resembles the escape of Jesus Christ to Egypt (Matthew 2: 13-21) is no escape to some Utopia (p. 128). Our protagonists in fact are quite realistic persons as they are aware of the fact that 'Utopia' is only to be found in the work of St Thomas More given that every place on earth has its own problems. Nobody is happy with his/her situation in life and envies the position of others.

The story comes to an end when the young couple returns to Malta on 21st September, (p. 159) the day Malta gains independence.

Interesting is the observation made by Massa when he refers to drunken soldiers (p.107) which may mean that the lower echelons of the military didn't even know for which cause they were fighting neither in which country they were. They just followed orders to occupy and control others.

The novel does not boast many characters. In fact besides the main protagonists there are only a few others but this in itself may be considered an advantage because it helps to keep the story focused and artistically manageable.

The novel also has an element of romance since the main protagonist of the story, Dr Cassar, falls in love with a girl, Nina, from Czechoslovakia. However, it is not simply that they fall in love but they also get married to give birth to a new independent family. Love being the essence of liberty.

Massa makes use of climatic conditions to prepare the reader what to expect. This technique is in fact used several times throughout the novel.

The author's message of liberty together with the works of previous writers remains valid to this day. The arrival of illegal immigrants who 'escape' from their country of origin to other countries in search of a better future is a reality which has become part of our lives.

Massa's historical novel L-Istar tal-Imgħoddi is in fact a political document. His work is similar to the works of other writers such as Antonio Fogazzaro, given that Massa too employs similar techniques adopted by such skilful authors who had previously embarked on similar projects. It is a well-thought and a well-planned novel with a strong message - so strong and universal that it shall remain relevant for many years to come.