Sant signs off on his new novel

Former Prime Minister Alfred Sant signing his latest publication George Bush f’Malta. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Former Labour Prime Minister Alfred Sant yesterday released his latest book, George Bush f’Malta, a fictitious story of an assassination attempt on the former US President while on a private visit.

The novel, written in Maltese, is Dr Sant’s 20th publication and tells the story of what happened when George W. Bush came to Malta on a private visit and was targeted by a group of international terrorists.

Apart from George Bush himself, the main character is Vonnie B, a female private investigator.

Her job is to monitor and investigate two companies, which have been running suspicious electronic traffic about the Bush visit.

She ends up being chased by a hit-squad out to kill her as she uncovers a sophisti-cated cyber plot to turn the assassination of Bush into an internet global event.

He said he experimented with the spy thriller genre to poke fun at today’s realities

Readers can follow the former President’s arrival at the US embassy in Ta’ Qali, the attack on the embassy compound and the desperate measures taken to protect Mr Bush.

Dr Sant told The Sunday Times of Malta it took him a year to write the 325-page novel, published by Sensiela Kotba Soċjalisti.

He experimented with the spy thriller genre to poke fun at today’s realities. Leading representatives of the real estate industry, the law courts, police, the internal security services, the Church, public cleaning services as well as other actors in Malta’s contemporary society all get a bit of the action.

At one point, Dr Sant even mentions a real incident when a truck hit the footbridge in Aldo Moro Street, Marsa, causing traffic mayhem.

Dr Sant said he was superstitious and would not reveal other work he had in the pipeline. He, however, admitted he had other projects he was working on and reconfirmed his intention to contest next year’s European Parliament elections.

Apart from being a politician, over the years Dr Sant was extensively involved in journalism, literature and theatre. He is also involved in a short film on his life, Sant, Sant.