ANNA-MARIA BUHAGIAR: A Very Decent Exposure – 42 Short Stories with a Maltese Complexion, MINT Editions Ltd, 2010, 184 pp

I’m not an avid reader of Maltese literature; that’s both literature written in Maltese as well as literature written by Maltese; however, I was very interested to see what Anna-Maria Buhagiar’s book ‘A Very Decent Exposure – 42 Short Stories with a Maltese Complexion’ had to offer. Admittedly the cover was a major attraction as the book is illustrated by Kenneth Zammit Tabona whose style is instantly recognisable and a definite favourite of mine.

The book is described as being short stories and indeed they are very short. The style of writing is known as flash fiction where each story is no longer than 600 words. It’s not as easy task to relate a story in such a limited space and connect with the reader at the same time and as I read story after story I couldn’t help but feel that the author doesn’t succeed in achieving this every time.

Some stories lack punch and finality and because they’re so short it’s very easy to finish one story, start another, finish it, and start another in an unrelenting cycle that leaves the reader feeling abandoned on a roundabout during rush hour traffic – you’re just not sure where to go and what to think after the final full stop of a story. I found myself thinking, ‘Yes, and…?’ a few too many times for my liking after having finished the stories.

There were certain storylines that I really enjoyed and could relate to as they described the Maltese personality down to a tee. Wide Blue Eyes describes the war in Lebanon and people’s disassociation from it because they only see it on television and it’s therefore not pervasive in their everyday lives. Deciding what to eat for dinner is an immediate concern and therefore takes precedence. How many of us can relate to that?

Lessons, Links and Something Stronger shows you a snapshot of a section on a Maltese bus where people from all walks of life share the same space although there are unlikely to know each other or even meet again. We’re introduced to a ‘here and now only’ aspect of life where things are not always as they seem, especially in random encounters.

Dances in the Dark is a clever pun on words as the author uses the action of dancing as a metaphor for nightly activities that are rampant in a certain Maltese town which everyone is aware of and yet nobody speaks about, highlighting the common characteristic of ‘if we don’t talk about things we don’t approve of then perhaps they don’t really exist’.

A favourite story of mine is probably The Tea Party because I know people like this and I’m sure I’m not alone here; I also think that a few poor husbands will recognise themselves as the down-trodden male counterparts of their social-climbing wives as the story revolves around a typical Maltese woman who bullies her husband and considers herself to be high class – although this is often achieved through marriage. The husband is always a more down-to-earth type of person, aware of his wife’s insecurities and social needs, yet still willing to obey her and pander to her every whim.

Meanwhile Rhapsody of a Secretary (which incidentally won the author a Highly Commended Short Story Award in 2005) left me feeling somewhat cold. The plot centres on the stereotypical roles of a male boss and female secretary where the secretary works her behind off for her boss and a “Thank you Anna” at the end of the day is actually considered a victory by her. In my opinion this mentality only helps to reinforce the glass ceiling phenomenon that is rampant for Maltese businesswomen.

I believe that the limited vocabulary used throughout the book hinders it from achieving the success that it could reach and does deserve. Unfortunately the author’s choice of words are relatively basic and there appears to be little attempt to use one word that would encompass and replace the two or three used instead. The spattering of Maltese words across the book are a nice touch and the glossary at the end of the book provides a good explanation for them, although I think that it would have made more logical sense to have the glossary in the first pages so that readers are aware of it instantly. The illustrations that depict a scene or line from each storyline are wonderful and help to bring the book to life.

Whilst not a book that I would call a favourite, I would encourage Maltese people to read it because it is appealing to read about situations that you can relate to on a deeper level that simply your imagination.

Published in Culture and Entertainment, The Sunday Times – June 13, 2010