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Fittixni
Ottubru 1937: F'nofs ta' lejl qalil, Jessica Manderley qed tiġġieled mal-mewġ kiesaħ u feroċi ftit ’il bogħod minn Malta, iggranfata ma' kaxxa li fiha hemm bintha tarbija.
Lulju 2014: Fil-bidu ta' sajf ieħor minn dawk li fihom qisu ma jiġri xejn, fid-dar ta' nanntu Jack Micallef isib ritratt antik tal-familja .F'nofshom, hemm tifla żgħira bjonda li qatt ma ra qabel. Min hi? U x'qed tagħmel fir-ritratt, qisha parti mill-familja?
Bl-għajnuna ta' sħabu, Jack jirnexxilu jiskopri l-istorja inkredibbli ta' Jessica Manderley u bintha, u jikxef sigriet li kien ilu midfun sebgħin sena.
Biss hemm ħaġa waħda li Jack għadu ma jafx: li dak kollu li qed jiġri mhux kumbinazzjoni, imma parti minn pjan maħdum bir-reqqa …
Fittixni jirrakkonta storja ta' determinazzjoni, passjoni u kuraġġ, fejn il-passat jirkeb fuq il-preżent, il-limitazzjonijiet jingħelbu, u nies ordinarji jsibu ruħhom jagħmlu affarijiet straordinarji.
Lulju 2014: Fil-bidu ta' sajf ieħor minn dawk li fihom qisu ma jiġri xejn, fid-dar ta' nanntu Jack Micallef isib ritratt antik tal-familja .F'nofshom, hemm tifla żgħira bjonda li qatt ma ra qabel. Min hi? U x'qed tagħmel fir-ritratt, qisha parti mill-familja?
Bl-għajnuna ta' sħabu, Jack jirnexxilu jiskopri l-istorja inkredibbli ta' Jessica Manderley u bintha, u jikxef sigriet li kien ilu midfun sebgħin sena.
Biss hemm ħaġa waħda li Jack għadu ma jafx: li dak kollu li qed jiġri mhux kumbinazzjoni, imma parti minn pjan maħdum bir-reqqa …
Fittixni jirrakkonta storja ta' determinazzjoni, passjoni u kuraġġ, fejn il-passat jirkeb fuq il-preżent, il-limitazzjonijiet jingħelbu, u nies ordinarji jsibu ruħhom jagħmlu affarijiet straordinarji.
360 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2016
4 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Antoinette Borg
13 books66 followersAntoinette Borg (imwielda fl-1973) iggradwat bħala accountant u għal għoxrin sena kienet taħdem bħala business advisor waqt li toħlom li xi darba ssir kittieba. Fl-2015 ħalliet ix-xogħol biex tipprova twettaq il-ħolma tagħha, u fl-2016 ippubblikat l-ewwel rumanz tagħha,
Fittixni
, li eventwalment rebaħ il-Premju Terramaxka fil-kategorija Xogħlijiet Oriġinali: Kotba għall-Adolexxenti. Fl-2018 ippubblikat it-tieni rumanz tagħha, (Ri)ġenerazzjoni, li bħala manuskritt kien rebbieħ tal-Konkors ta' Kitba Letteratura għaż-Żgħażagħ 2016. Iktar tard fl-2018 Antoinette ngħatat il-premju għall-Aħjar Awtur Emerġenti mill-Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ktieb u ppubblikat it-tielet rumanz tagħha, Amina. Antoinette toqgħod il-Mellieħa ma’ żewġha Brian u ż-żewġt uliedhom.
Antoinette Borg (born in 1973) is an accountant by profession, and for twenty years she worked as a business advisor while dreaming of one day becoming a writer. In 2015 she left her career to chase her dream, and in 2016 she published her debut novel in the Maltese language, Fittixni , which went on to be awarded the Terramaxka Prize for Original Works: Books for Adolescents. In 2018 she published her second YA novel, (Ri)ġenerazzjoni, which as a manuscript had been a prizewinner in the Literary Contest of Novels for Youth. Later in 2018 Antoinette was awarded the Best Emergent Author prize by the National Book Council of Malta. She has just published her third novel, Amina. Antoinette lives in Mellieħa, Malta, with her husband Brian and their two children.
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Antoinette Borg (born in 1973) is an accountant by profession, and for twenty years she worked as a business advisor while dreaming of one day becoming a writer. In 2015 she left her career to chase her dream, and in 2016 she published her debut novel in the Maltese language, Fittixni , which went on to be awarded the Terramaxka Prize for Original Works: Books for Adolescents. In 2018 she published her second YA novel, (Ri)ġenerazzjoni, which as a manuscript had been a prizewinner in the Literary Contest of Novels for Youth. Later in 2018 Antoinette was awarded the Best Emergent Author prize by the National Book Council of Malta. She has just published her third novel, Amina. Antoinette lives in Mellieħa, Malta, with her husband Brian and their two children.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 7, 2021
For a long time I was hesitant to review Maltese language novels, just for the simple reason that I had made some enemies while criticizing local bands back when I music reviewer. However I am at a point where, if the criticism is constructive, then it’s ok. In fact I will be reading more novels in Maltese in the future.
Fittixni’s (in English it means look/search for me) plot is simple. A teenager discovers an old family photo in a book while browsing through his grandmother’s bookshelf. In the photo he sees a girl who looks different from the rest of his grandparents and great grandparents. After a few preliminary questions he makes some discoveries, which led to a full blown investigation. Throughout his search – with the help of his friends, a story is unraveled which spans a century, includes the second World War and the Spanish revolution and involves two families from the U.K. and Malta. There’s also a subplot where someone beyond the grave is telling their version of the events the children are discovering.
Clearly this book falls into the category of ‘good storytelling’ : there’s a tight plot, everything happens according to plan and there are a couple of surprises on the way. True it does get a bit ‘Famous Five’ in places but on the whole Fittixni is entertaining and it is a page turner. Considering that this is a debut, Fittixni is pretty solid. Plus it is historically accurate in places so one can tell quite a bit of research was undertaken when the book was being written.
However, the real stand out is the writing. Antoinette Borg has a certain rhythm. Classic Maltese idioms meet with teenager dialogue and it works. I also do like the fact that there are aspects of Maltese culture in the book. There are descriptions of the beach, the National Library, Maltese food and the village festa which most Maltese experience. There’s also a sly commentary on the differences between generations as well.
As a return to Maltese literature, this was a good start. I do have quite a bit of catching up to do but over the coming months there will be more reviews.
My copy of Fittixni was given to me by the author
Fittixni’s (in English it means look/search for me) plot is simple. A teenager discovers an old family photo in a book while browsing through his grandmother’s bookshelf. In the photo he sees a girl who looks different from the rest of his grandparents and great grandparents. After a few preliminary questions he makes some discoveries, which led to a full blown investigation. Throughout his search – with the help of his friends, a story is unraveled which spans a century, includes the second World War and the Spanish revolution and involves two families from the U.K. and Malta. There’s also a subplot where someone beyond the grave is telling their version of the events the children are discovering.
Clearly this book falls into the category of ‘good storytelling’ : there’s a tight plot, everything happens according to plan and there are a couple of surprises on the way. True it does get a bit ‘Famous Five’ in places but on the whole Fittixni is entertaining and it is a page turner. Considering that this is a debut, Fittixni is pretty solid. Plus it is historically accurate in places so one can tell quite a bit of research was undertaken when the book was being written.
However, the real stand out is the writing. Antoinette Borg has a certain rhythm. Classic Maltese idioms meet with teenager dialogue and it works. I also do like the fact that there are aspects of Maltese culture in the book. There are descriptions of the beach, the National Library, Maltese food and the village festa which most Maltese experience. There’s also a sly commentary on the differences between generations as well.
As a return to Maltese literature, this was a good start. I do have quite a bit of catching up to do but over the coming months there will be more reviews.
My copy of Fittixni was given to me by the author
July 11, 2017
Is-sjuf ta' tfuliti qattajthom naqra ktieb wara iehor. Bl-Ingliz kont naqra hafna specjalment dawk t'Enid Blyton u bil-Malti kont nitghaxxaq naqra il-kotba ta' Trevor Zahra mimlija avventuri u misteri. Sfortunatament naqqast hafna mil-qari bil-Malti - kont ili ma nsib ktieb bil-Malti jolqotni bhal dan ta' Antoinette Borg. Il-kliem ta' tifhir li kiteb Trevor Zahra fuq dan il-ktieb jikkonferma dan kollu. 'Fittixni' hu ktieb mexxej, miktub b'Malti sabih u mimli avventuri u sorprizi. Ghalkemm mil-ewwel daqqa t'ghajn jidher li hu imirrat ghaz-zghazagh, dan il-ktieb ghandu jolqot lil kulhadd - storja originali miktuba bi hsieb. Titilfuhx :)
November 22, 2016
Storja vera ħelwa li tgħaqqad fuq medda taż-żminijiet, ribelljoni ta' tfalja Ingliza kontra il-klassi oppressiva tal-familja tagħha fi żmien ta’ qabel it-Tieni Gwerra mal-ħajja moderna ezistenti ta' teenager Malti li jħossu jgħix hajja monotona, mingħajr direzzjoni u bla kunfidenza fih innifsu. L-istorja hija tista’ tgħid parabbola ta' kif il-kurizita persistenti, dejjem tista' twassal għal-orizzonti ġodda u aktar miftuħa - hekk kif gralu wara kollox il-karattru ewlieni Jack Micallef. Miktub bi stil ħafif u mexxej, Antoinette toffri diversi punti ta' ħsieb, l-aktar fejn jirrigwarda il-paradoss etern li dejjem jinħass fit-tfittxija vera tal-liberta f'ħajjitna u r-rwol tas-sopranatural li dejjem kellu u għad għandu fit-tamiet u d-destin tal-bniedem. Pero l-aktar messaġġ li jispikka għalija f'din l-istorja huwa propju ' kif nies kwieti, mistħija u ordinarji kapaċi jagħmlu affarijiet straordinarji.' Tassew huwa ktieb li hadt gost naqra.
August 4, 2017
Kont ili ma naqra ktieb bil-Malti tajjeb daqshekk!
February 25, 2017
Is-sorprizi minn dejjem ghogbuni u tghallimt sahansitra nhaddimhom favurija, permezz tal-kitba. Izda meta tiltaqa' ma' ktieb li jiehdok fuq vjagg ta' tfittxija mimli sorprizi tant l-ahjar. Bdejt naqrah b'intrigu ta' ha-niskopri-xi-jsarraf u spiccajt inhkimt minn entuzjazmu ta' dari meta kont litteralment nintilef fil-kotba t'avventura, miktubin bil-Malti. Dak hu s-sabih meta rakkont interessanti u l-lingwa Maltija jkunu mhaddmin tajjeb u maghgunin flimkien kif suppost.
December 24, 2016
Bdejt naqra "Fittixni" il-Gimgha filghaxija u lestejtu l-ghada tard wara nofsinhar. Addio l-qadi u l-facendi li suppost naghmel nhar ta' Sibt! Ma bbastajtx nitlaq il-ktieb minn idejja. Blajt is-sunnara (I got hooked) hekk kif qrajt il-blurb. Antoinette Borg mill-ewwel misset l-istint matern tieghi, avolja qabel kont smajt li l-ktieb hu mmirat ghal qarrejja zghazagh. Il-ktieb mhux esklussivament ghal min hu zaghzugh fl-eta' jew fil-qalb. Mill-bidu nett tqanqlet fija kurzita' biex nara kif se tisvolgi l-istorja ... hemm plot tajjeb li jhallik sodisfatt fit-tmiem tal-ktieb. L-istil li bih tikteb Antoinette hu mexxej, tuza kliem sabih, ikkulurit u idjomatiku. Tassew, kif qal Trevor Zahra, ziffa t'arja friska ghal kull min ihobb jaqra bil-Malti. Prosit Antoinette, x'rigal sabih tajtna. Nistennew aktar u aktar minghandek fil-futur ... kompli ohlom, ahseb, immagina, sawwar, fittex, ittajpja, iddubita, iccekkja, tertaq qalbek, irfina u welled aktar xoghlijiet ta' livell hekk gholi ... dan hu FERM APPREZZAT minn min ghandu ghal qalbu l-qari bil-Malti.
July 4, 2017
I was recommended to read this book because I am learning Maltese and wanted to improve my knowledge of the language, whilst enjoying a good story. This book definitely 'hit the spot'. The story itself is interesting and engaging. At the end of each chapter I was excited to turn over the page and find out what happened next. I found the descriptions of places, situations and behaviours realistic, so much so that I felt involved in the story. On several occasions I googled something I read in the book to find out more because the story aroused a sense of curiosity in me. Although it is a book for young adults, I am sure that anyone who enjoys a pleasant story with a happy ending would find this a pleasure to read. It's a good book for a bedtime read for anyone who wants sweet dreams and not nightmares.
March 27, 2017
I used to find reading in Maltese slow and a bit hard for me . After reading this book I realised it all depends on the writer.
The story flows easily and so did my reading. I found myself looking forward for my next opportunity to sit and enjoy this book.
The use of our language is beautiful and almost poetic.
The story took me to my younger days. It describes living in Malta and our summers so well so naturally. Whether like me, you are over 40 or much younger you will feel something in this book which you rarely find, it seems so near , so us, so Malta.
Somehow the characters felt so familiar, so near.
The twist at the end was unexpected and made the book even more interesting.
The story flows easily and so did my reading. I found myself looking forward for my next opportunity to sit and enjoy this book.
The use of our language is beautiful and almost poetic.
The story took me to my younger days. It describes living in Malta and our summers so well so naturally. Whether like me, you are over 40 or much younger you will feel something in this book which you rarely find, it seems so near , so us, so Malta.
Somehow the characters felt so familiar, so near.
The twist at the end was unexpected and made the book even more interesting.
February 24, 2017
read the first 80% in just 3 days. couldn't put it down. I was sick and it kept me a marvelous company. than had to go back to work and with the exams full swing and had to leave it on my bedside table hence that's why it took me long to finish. but wow what a story. Antoinette you managed to take me away from this noisy and hectic life we live in and live the story of a girl way back during the war. I simply devoured it. and the Maltese you used so beautifully written. 5 stars in full and please please let us have an other one. thank you for your beautiful and unusual story....
February 10, 2018
Ktieb mill-isbaħ bil-Malti. Storja ħelwa ħafna, irakkontat b'ħila kbira. Mhux ta' b'xejn ktieb rebbieħ!
August 28, 2018
Kont ili ma naqra ktieb li ma nkunx irrid nieqaf naqrah, żmien. Ma stajtx nitilqu minn idi!
Naqra il-kliem u isni qed nisma mużika sabiħa... F'moħħi l-immaġinazzjoni ġriet bija... Ktieb sħiħ isni qed nara film... Nara lil Jack jiħmar kif jara lil Kate...u nimmaġina kif jeħillu lsienu... Inxomm l-ikel tan-Nanna Tessie... U inħoss dehxa ma ġismi daqslikieku Jessica qiegħda ħdejja.
Grazzi Antoinette!
Naqra il-kliem u isni qed nisma mużika sabiħa... F'moħħi l-immaġinazzjoni ġriet bija... Ktieb sħiħ isni qed nara film... Nara lil Jack jiħmar kif jara lil Kate...u nimmaġina kif jeħillu lsienu... Inxomm l-ikel tan-Nanna Tessie... U inħoss dehxa ma ġismi daqslikieku Jessica qiegħda ħdejja.
Grazzi Antoinette!
October 9, 2018
Ktieb li fakkarni f'novelli li kont naqra meta kont iżgħar, bħal ma msemmi, fakkruni f'dawk ta' Trevor Żahra , Carmel G Cauchi u oħrajn. Storja leġġera, tikkalmak u lejn l-aħħar kapitli taqbad ritmu u tħossok bħal żiemel tat-trott li trid taqra, taqra sa ma ssir taf x'ġara mill-bidu sal-aħħar. Ktieb li nissuġġerih, żiffa ħelwa f'qalb ħafna ġenn, kliem tqil u preżunzjoni. B'sempliċità kbira Antoinette Borg tnissel ġrajja mill-isbaħ li tħallik emozjonat u bil-għatx li ssir taf kollox.
May 10, 2020
Originarjament, Fittixni xtrajtu ghat-tifla tieghi ta' 12-il sena. Imma l-blurb laqtitni u anke l-illustrazzjoni tal-qoxra. Kien ilni ma naqra ktieb bil-Malti u spiccajt qrajtu qabel it-tifla. Tassew ktieb tajjeb! Ghogobni hafna l-istil u l-varjazzjoni bejn ir-rakkont ta' Jack u dak ta' Jessica. Hadt gost nara ortografija 'tradizzjonali' fejn kliem bl-Ingliz huma miktuba bl-Ingliz u mhux bil-Malti b'mod fonetiku. Certa li se nkompli naqra kotba ta' Antoinette Borg! Grazzi Antoinette!
November 22, 2016
Prosit tassew. Verament ktieb bi storja helwa li zammitni nsaqsi xi jmiss.....si jmiss.....sakemm qrajtu kollu wara assenza twila mill qari ta' kotba bil Malti. Ktieb li jgieghlek tidhol sew fl istorja u timmagina quddiem ghajnejk dak kollu li qed taqra. Jekk ghandek ghal qalbek il kotba bil Malti, Fittixni hu l ktieb li ghandek taqra.
August 1, 2017
Got really hooked! Had been a while since I made some time to read a book in Maltese. You nailed it. No one could have described the relationship and the riding horse techniques as well as you! And I could tell that the bays that you so vividly described were very familiar ones. The twist At the end is genius. Well done for accomplishing your dream.
Looking forward to the next one :)
Looking forward to the next one :)
September 24, 2017
L-ewwel haga li gibditni f' dan il-ktieb kienet dak li qal Trevor Zahra fuq l-awtrici....u veru kellu ragun ghax huwa ktieb li ihabbatha tajjeb ma l-aqwa kotba tal-avventuri li hargu mil pinna tieghu u li tant kont nhobb naqra fi tfuliti. Ktieb ta min jirrakomandah...miktub tajjeb, izommok, storja interessanti u mhux tas-soltu. Nistenna bil-herqa li nkun nista naqra xi haga ohra miktuba minghand din l-awtrici.
January 26, 2021
Ktieb mill-aqwa! Storja ta mhabba, sagrificcju, u kuragg.
Bhal ziffa helwa li tmellislek haddejk u sserrahlek qalbek, li tiehdok il-boghod mil-hajja mghaggla ta kuljum, hdejn dak li hu tant familjari, li tant nghozzu.
Bhal rih ivenven, li jqanqlek, li jqajjimlek l-emozzjonijet u jhallik bla kliem.
Bhal ziffa helwa li tmellislek haddejk u sserrahlek qalbek, li tiehdok il-boghod mil-hajja mghaggla ta kuljum, hdejn dak li hu tant familjari, li tant nghozzu.
Bhal rih ivenven, li jqanqlek, li jqajjimlek l-emozzjonijet u jhallik bla kliem.
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January 1, 2017Qrajt il ktieb mill-bidu sa l ahhar f'kemm ilni nghidlek. Veru miktub b'malti interessanti u sabih li qanqalli hafna memorji u tifkiriet ta' tfuliti! Izommok hemm sakemm tispiccah ghax it-tmien mhux anticipat! Nistennew li jmiss Antoinette!
May 21, 2017
An excellent book. Mastery of the Maltese language. Brilliant contemporary ideas and psychology of young adults. A surprise author being her first book ever published. I want to read the next one out!
February 1, 2019
Ktieb li jeħel ma jdejk ma titilqux qabel tkun qrajtu minn qoxra sa qoxra. Storja originali li thallik fuq ix-xwiek. Id-deskrizzjonijiet huma impressjonanti, kważi tibda thoss ir-rih fuqek meta l-awtriċi tideskrivih.
April 2, 2019
Qrajtu f’gimgha dan il-ktieb, mhux ghax m’ghandix x’nghamel, izda tant kemm huwa ktieb mexxej, miktub b’Malti sabih u bi storja pjanata sal-inqas dettall. Titilqu minn idejk biss ghax jibdew jaharquk ghajnejk.
October 28, 2017
A really captivating book. I used to read a chapter or two after work and it took my mind off all the thoughts. The structure of the book makes it easy to follow. I recommend it to those who love reading in Maltese. Eagerly awaiting Antoinette's next book!
December 10, 2017
A hauntingly beautiful story and so well written. I couldn't put it down.
January 24, 2018
Fittixni hija storja vera helwa, haddt hafna gost naqrah. Kont ilni ma naqra bil-malti u dan il-ktieb rega xennaqni biex inkompli naqra bil-lingwa tieghi. 5/5 stillel
August 6, 2021
Reread :)
February 11, 2018
Plot vera interessanti, b'rakkont mhux difficli li jkompli jģghalek issir parti mill-istorja
January 4, 2022
A masterpiece. Best book I ever read in Maltese. Great plot and use of Maltese language is effortlessly flowing.
March 20, 2017
Ktieb bi storja li tqanqallek kurzita' u ma thallikx tieqaf taqra. Prosit tassew, nistennew it tieni ktieb bil herqa :)
August 26, 2017
"Fittixni " huwa miktub b'Malti mirqum u mexxej li jhallik fuq ix-xwiek sa l-ahhar. Fih tiltaqa' ma' karattri kumplessi fi zminijiet diversi u f'postijiet differenti li jinghaqdu flimkien fi storja wahda mexxejja . Huwa ktieb li ma titilqux minn idejk qabel tispiccah. Ilni hafna ma naqra ktieb bil-Malti li sahharni daqshekk. Kemm jien u kemm ibni, qed nistennew b'herqa r-rumanz li jmiss ta' Antoinette Borg!
January 21, 2019
Wiehed mill-kotba li nista nghid salvani fl-aghar zmien ta'hajti u ta'dan nirringrazzja lill awtrici. Ktieb mexxej li meta taqbdu ma jkollokx aptit tnizzlu. Nirrakommandah ghal kull eta :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews