A prisoner in his home

Rita Saliba: Inżul ix-Xemx, Merlin Publishers Ltd, 173 pp

Following the renewed interest over the past few years in high quality children’s literature, the focus now seems to have been extended towards the teenage market. The fact that we even have a prize for youth literature is indicative of the importance of this sector.

It is easy to see why Rita Saliba’s Inżul ix-Xemx won first prize. It is a touching and direct tale told with disarming simplicity. The story follows the brief but intense friendship of Josef with Thomas, a boy whose severe medical condition has made him a prisoner in his own home.

One must admit it is not the most riveting narrative I have ever read, but reading it as an adult it has that feel good factor that makes you all fuzzy and warm. Younger readers, especially teenage ones, will find a lot more with which to identify.

The novel runs very smoothly, and might be slightly too saccharine for some tastes. But I would not let that deter a potential reader. Used as we are to conflict and violence in our media, it is at times refreshing to rediscover that shred of positivity which makes life worth living.

The novel is credible because Saliba always looks at the situation from the characters’ point of view. There is no adult interference; just the genuine thoughts and reflections of teenage boys and girls.

We have grown to be rather pessimistic towards the current teenage generation, but I would like to think that there are still plenty of teenagers like those described by the author; teenagers who think and act their age rather than trying to behave like adults.

The novel is written in a clear style which acknowledges the current linguistic trends without abandoning the solid grammar of good literature. The only thing I can never figure out is the criteria with which certain Engish words are written phonetically and others not. But then again, that’s just me nitpicking.

The novel comes in Merlin’s usual clean format, making it easy to read. The cover design is odd, and perhaps not instantly appealing. However, as you go through the story the design starts making more sense.

Books like these help not only to encourage reading, but also to raise the standards of what good literature should be about. A good book need not be profound or philosophical, but honest and enjoyable to read. Inżul ix-Xemx fulfils both.