Malta’s Mafia Story: A New ‘Godfather’ Novel Told by Women
Malta’s Own Mafia Story: A New ‘Godfather’ Novel Told by Women
Imagine this: a bustling street in Valletta, the sun dipping low, casting long shadows over the worn cobblestones. A woman, dressed in black, steps out of a nondescript door, her eyes scanning the street with a mix of defiance and caution. This isn’t your typical Maltese scene, but it’s the opening of a new novel that’s set to redefine the local mafia narrative.
The book, titled ‘Malta’s Daughter’, is the brainchild of local author, Maria Azzopardi. It’s a ‘Godfather’ tale, but with a twist. Azzopardi has chosen to tell the story from the perspective of the women – the wives, daughters, and mothers who have long been the silent force behind the island’s criminal underworld.
Breaking the Silence
Malta’s mafia history is no secret. From the ’70s to the ’90s, the island was a hub for international drug trafficking. But while the men made the headlines, the women were left in the shadows. Azzopardi aims to change that.
“I wanted to give these women a voice,” she says, sitting in her apartment in Msida, overlooking the Grand Harbour. “They’ve been silenced for too long. They’ve lived through so much, yet we know so little about them.”
From Fiction to Fact: Malta’s Real-Life Inspiration
‘Malta’s Daughter’ draws heavily from real-life events and figures. Azzopardi spent years interviewing women connected to the local mafia, weaving their stories into a gripping narrative. The result is a novel that’s as much a historical document as it is a work of fiction.
Take the character of Anna, for instance. She’s based on a real woman who, in the ’80s, ran a successful business in Paceville while her husband was serving time for drug trafficking. “Anna was a powerhouse,” Azzopardi recalls. “She ran the show, kept the family together, and made sure the business thrived. Yet, she was always in the background, invisible.”
Another character, Maria, is inspired by the wife of a notorious Maltese gangster. “She was this tiny, soft-spoken woman,” Azzopardi says. “But she had a steel core. She stood by her husband, took care of their kids, and even helped him run his operations.”
Why Now?
With the local mafia’s heyday long over, why is Azzopardi choosing to tell these stories now? “Because it’s time,” she says simply. “These women’s stories deserve to be told. And we’ve reached a point where we can talk about them openly, without fear or stigma.”
Azzopardi believes that understanding the past can help shape the future. “By learning about these women’s lives, we can better understand the complex dynamics of power and influence in Maltese society. And maybe, just maybe, we can prevent similar situations from happening again.”
Malta’s Daughter is set to be published later this year. It’s already generating buzz among local literary circles, with some hailing it as a groundbreaking work that challenges traditional narratives of power and gender.
