What do you think?
Rate this book
Marta Marta
Marta Marta huwa rumanz polifoniku li jindirizza simbolikament temi u preokkupazzjonijiet ewlenin mill-ħajja kontemporanja Maltija. Fost dawn insibu kwistjonijiet bħas-sesswalità, il-femminiżmu, il-kontraċezzjoni, l-abort, kif ukoll dik tal-ġeneru fil-possibbiltajiet kollha tiegħu – f’pajjiż fejn għadha prevalenti l-eġemonija Kattolika u patrijarkali – bl-intenzjoni li dawn it-temi jiġu esplorati minn angolu lokali u permezz tal-lingwa Maltija nnifisha. Għaldaqstant, ir-rumanz jipprovdi s-sisien għal diskussjoni politika u kulturali li jsaħħu d-diskors dwar dawn il-kwistjonijiet f’Malta.
Filwaqt li Marta Marta huwa rakkont esperimentali, ir-rumanz jagħmel użu minn arketipi u aspetti kulturali li jixhdu l-identità Maltija – bħall-ikonografija reliġjuża – sabiex jikkuntestwalizza l-persunaġġi u t-trajjettorja tagħhom b’mod li jirnexxilu jiddiżorjenta u jissorprendi lill-qarrej minkejja l-familjarità. Marta Marta huwa, għalhekk, imkien mitoloġiku fejn jiddominaw it-teatralità, id-dekadenza u l-ħtieġa tal-inverżjoni, fejn id-drawwiet Maltin iċedu għal dissezzjoni, esplorazzjoni u trasformazzjoni.
Il-pubblikazzjoni ġiet iffinanzjata mill-Fond tal-Ktieb Malti tal-Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ktieb.
Filwaqt li Marta Marta huwa rakkont esperimentali, ir-rumanz jagħmel użu minn arketipi u aspetti kulturali li jixhdu l-identità Maltija – bħall-ikonografija reliġjuża – sabiex jikkuntestwalizza l-persunaġġi u t-trajjettorja tagħhom b’mod li jirnexxilu jiddiżorjenta u jissorprendi lill-qarrej minkejja l-familjarità. Marta Marta huwa, għalhekk, imkien mitoloġiku fejn jiddominaw it-teatralità, id-dekadenza u l-ħtieġa tal-inverżjoni, fejn id-drawwiet Maltin iċedu għal dissezzjoni, esplorazzjoni u trasformazzjoni.
Il-pubblikazzjoni ġiet iffinanzjata mill-Fond tal-Ktieb Malti tal-Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ktieb.
380 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
6 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Read
October 14, 2023MARTA MARTA BY LORANNE VELLA
I meant to write this short review last year, but since the Malta Book Festival is on this month, I might as well remind readers of this unique author and her latest novel.
Marta Marta is not quite a novel but it’s more of a cross between a novel and a feminist philosophical treatise. I have to admit that the ‘novel’ side of things
is lengthy, however, the length gets consolidated in the latter part of the book. Therefore, it is definitely worth sticking to this read to reach that
rewarding end. I say it’s highly rewarding because, on a literal level, at least one of the characters pulls the others in her fold and provides one resolution (it’s probably not quite an ending, even though the book ends there). On a philosophical level, I think the book is even more valuable partly because it’s a
first in Maltese literature, as, practically a highly detailed study of feminism in Maltese, and partly because unlike what may appear (for some) to be a fragmented feminist movement, the novel finds a way of seeing parallels between feminism and intersectional feminism, and here is where the author’s bravura lies. Because you do need the literary narrative to see how this parallel can actually work.
I meant to write this short review last year, but since the Malta Book Festival is on this month, I might as well remind readers of this unique author and her latest novel.
Marta Marta is not quite a novel but it’s more of a cross between a novel and a feminist philosophical treatise. I have to admit that the ‘novel’ side of things
is lengthy, however, the length gets consolidated in the latter part of the book. Therefore, it is definitely worth sticking to this read to reach that
rewarding end. I say it’s highly rewarding because, on a literal level, at least one of the characters pulls the others in her fold and provides one resolution (it’s probably not quite an ending, even though the book ends there). On a philosophical level, I think the book is even more valuable partly because it’s a
first in Maltese literature, as, practically a highly detailed study of feminism in Maltese, and partly because unlike what may appear (for some) to be a fragmented feminist movement, the novel finds a way of seeing parallels between feminism and intersectional feminism, and here is where the author’s bravura lies. Because you do need the literary narrative to see how this parallel can actually work.
October 13, 2022
Kapolavur ieħor mill-pinna ta' Loranne.
October 4, 2023
By a welcome coincidence, I read this book soon after reading Iris Murdoch’s ‘The Bell’. Both novels present an unusual, not-quite-religious community as the setting for their story. And both have a delightful mix of the sacred and the profane, as events and thoughts unfold that jar with the pastoral or pious surroundings. Murdoch’s book seems less controversial, although it may have raised a few eyebrows back in 1958. But ‘Marta Marta’ comes storming into a Maltese literary landscape that seems more preoccupied with nostalgia and preservation than with fiery feminist topics like those tackled here.
In a (non-spoiler) nutshell, the book is told from the point of view of five of the characters that form part of this community, which is predominantly for women. Through the eyes, thoughts and writings of five very different characters, we slowly find out what brought them all together under one roof, despite varied ages and origins.
I was lucky to attend one part of the three-day launch of this book over a year ago, and I sampled the many works that Vella used as inspiration during the three years she spent researching and writing ‘Marta Marta’. The depth of her exploration of the themes tackled is evident in every page, and the bibliography at the end resembles the reading list for a course on feminism. Thanks to that book launch, I discovered and read Simone de Beauvoir’s ‘The Second Sex’, and I am now eager to read more. De Beauvoir’s book was non-fiction, whereas here, in what feels like its Maltese offspring, a fictional narrative is used. And yet, at times, it feels like non-fiction. The intriguing and unique setup is presented as an established situation, with the backstory of the characters slowly unfolding, but not much plot happening. Things exist, and are described, but the household of characters is used as a sort of scaffold on which to display the thoughts and arguments about various topics, at times sounding like essays.
The novel format has two useful purposes here. It allows Vella to give us different points of view, and she doesn’t shy away from arguing different sides of the story. When one character struggles with gender identity, another argues that they must now be excluded from the feminist group. When some protest by burning pages of misogynist writings, others argue that history must not be destroyed, but rather called out for what it is. This is a very current issue, with countries debating whether to tear down statues of past wrong-doers, and publishers and filmmakers trying to moderate their past classics.
The fiction launchpad also allows Vella to transpose certain issues into the Maltese setting, even if they have not yet reached that level locally. It allows necessary events to happen. It allows her characters to dethrone sacred giants of Maltese literature and Catholic faith, pointing out their attitudes towards women. The members of the fictional household can act out their fantasies, and show their admiring public what they truly think of the patriarchy, of religious idolatry, and of the rituals and roles that many Maltese hold dear. This all comes to the boil in the fifth and final section of the book. I love it when the full meaning of a novel’s title lands with a satisfying thud, and the final section of this book delivers this, plus the main events of the plot, a satisfying ending where various strands of the story coalesce, and hope for the future.
The only thing that stops this from being a 5-star book, in my view, is the accessibility. Vella gives us nearly 400 pages of dense text, with scarce paragraph breaks and no dialogue. This makes for heavy reading, and there were times when I both loved the writing but also needed a break. This, combined with the plot issues mentioned above, might put off many readers. I salute Vella for not adhering to commercial expectations of what a novel should be, and I’m thankful to Ede Books for allowing us to have such books. But I fear that this format means that it will be read by fewer people. Which is a shame, because it should be read by all, and taught in schools.
In a (non-spoiler) nutshell, the book is told from the point of view of five of the characters that form part of this community, which is predominantly for women. Through the eyes, thoughts and writings of five very different characters, we slowly find out what brought them all together under one roof, despite varied ages and origins.
I was lucky to attend one part of the three-day launch of this book over a year ago, and I sampled the many works that Vella used as inspiration during the three years she spent researching and writing ‘Marta Marta’. The depth of her exploration of the themes tackled is evident in every page, and the bibliography at the end resembles the reading list for a course on feminism. Thanks to that book launch, I discovered and read Simone de Beauvoir’s ‘The Second Sex’, and I am now eager to read more. De Beauvoir’s book was non-fiction, whereas here, in what feels like its Maltese offspring, a fictional narrative is used. And yet, at times, it feels like non-fiction. The intriguing and unique setup is presented as an established situation, with the backstory of the characters slowly unfolding, but not much plot happening. Things exist, and are described, but the household of characters is used as a sort of scaffold on which to display the thoughts and arguments about various topics, at times sounding like essays.
The novel format has two useful purposes here. It allows Vella to give us different points of view, and she doesn’t shy away from arguing different sides of the story. When one character struggles with gender identity, another argues that they must now be excluded from the feminist group. When some protest by burning pages of misogynist writings, others argue that history must not be destroyed, but rather called out for what it is. This is a very current issue, with countries debating whether to tear down statues of past wrong-doers, and publishers and filmmakers trying to moderate their past classics.
The fiction launchpad also allows Vella to transpose certain issues into the Maltese setting, even if they have not yet reached that level locally. It allows necessary events to happen. It allows her characters to dethrone sacred giants of Maltese literature and Catholic faith, pointing out their attitudes towards women. The members of the fictional household can act out their fantasies, and show their admiring public what they truly think of the patriarchy, of religious idolatry, and of the rituals and roles that many Maltese hold dear. This all comes to the boil in the fifth and final section of the book. I love it when the full meaning of a novel’s title lands with a satisfying thud, and the final section of this book delivers this, plus the main events of the plot, a satisfying ending where various strands of the story coalesce, and hope for the future.
The only thing that stops this from being a 5-star book, in my view, is the accessibility. Vella gives us nearly 400 pages of dense text, with scarce paragraph breaks and no dialogue. This makes for heavy reading, and there were times when I both loved the writing but also needed a break. This, combined with the plot issues mentioned above, might put off many readers. I salute Vella for not adhering to commercial expectations of what a novel should be, and I’m thankful to Ede Books for allowing us to have such books. But I fear that this format means that it will be read by fewer people. Which is a shame, because it should be read by all, and taught in schools.
November 23, 2025
This novel runs through the thoughts and feelings exploring the world of two sisters and their female friends who inhabit this house of pleasure, work and reflection.
I did not like this book but did not hate it. It is less of a fictional novel and more of a treatise on femminility in the Maltese socio religious landscape with no dialogue. It is more of an intellectual read than a captivating one imo. These are the type of books I usually avoid as they are not my cup of tea, do not engross me and this one is no exception.
What makes the read bearable is the author's good command of the Maltese language and the way she uses it. There is a flow to it.
I did not like this book but did not hate it. It is less of a fictional novel and more of a treatise on femminility in the Maltese socio religious landscape with no dialogue. It is more of an intellectual read than a captivating one imo. These are the type of books I usually avoid as they are not my cup of tea, do not engross me and this one is no exception.
What makes the read bearable is the author's good command of the Maltese language and the way she uses it. There is a flow to it.
January 23, 2023
Mingħajr spoilers:
Ma naf lil ħadd li qed jikteb bħal ma tagħmel Loranne Vella. La tibża' tesperimenta u lanqas iżżomm lura jew trażżan lilha nfisha bl-ebda mod. Ngħid il-verità, hemm affarijiet f'dan il-ktieb li beżżgħuni u oħrajn li rrabbjawni. Però fih affarijiet oħra li tawni t-tama u ġegħluni nitbissem. Insomma, f'kelma waħda, ktieb li jqanqal emozzjonijiet differenti. Prosit lill-kittieba li ma sserraħx fuq suċċessi mgħoddija u tibqa' tikteb dak li taf li hu sikur, imma minflok timraħ fi stili u suġġetti ġodda u riskjużi.
Ma naf lil ħadd li qed jikteb bħal ma tagħmel Loranne Vella. La tibża' tesperimenta u lanqas iżżomm lura jew trażżan lilha nfisha bl-ebda mod. Ngħid il-verità, hemm affarijiet f'dan il-ktieb li beżżgħuni u oħrajn li rrabbjawni. Però fih affarijiet oħra li tawni t-tama u ġegħluni nitbissem. Insomma, f'kelma waħda, ktieb li jqanqal emozzjonijiet differenti. Prosit lill-kittieba li ma sserraħx fuq suċċessi mgħoddija u tibqa' tikteb dak li taf li hu sikur, imma minflok timraħ fi stili u suġġetti ġodda u riskjużi.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews