Malta’s Own Mafia Story: A New ‘Godfather’ Novel From Women’s Perspective

Imagine this: a bustling street in Valletta, the sun dipping below the Grandmaster’s Palace, and a woman, not a man, at the heart of the city’s underworld. This is not a scene from a Maltese film noir, but the premise of a new novel, ‘The Godmother’, set to redefine the mafia narrative.

Malta’s Mafia Reimagined

Malta’s own mafia history is no secret. From the 1980s to the early 2000s, the island was a hotbed of criminal activity, with powerful families vying for control. But the stories we’ve heard have been predominantly from the male perspective. Enter ‘The Godmother’, a novel by local author, Anna Borg, set to change that.

‘The Godmother’ tells the story of Maria, a woman who rises from humble beginnings in the Three Cities to become the most powerful figure in Malta’s criminal underworld. Borg, who grew up in Birkirkara, draws on her personal experiences and local knowledge to weave a tale that is as much about Malta as it is about the mafia.

Women in the Shadows

Borg’s novel is not just a mafia story; it’s a story about women. ‘The Godmother’ explores the roles of women in Malta’s criminal underworld, often overlooked in favor of their male counterparts. From Maria’s rise to power to the women who support her, Borg paints a complex picture of female agency and resilience.

‘I wanted to tell a story about women who are often invisible in these narratives,’ Borg says. ‘Women who are not just victims or accessories, but active participants in their own right.’

Local Flavors, Global Themes

‘The Godmother’ is a Maltese story, but its themes are universal. It’s about power, corruption, and the price of ambition. It’s about the thin line between justice and revenge, and the moral compromises we make in the name of survival.

But it’s also about Malta. From the bustling markets of Marsaxlokk to the quiet streets of Zebbug, ‘The Godmother’ is a love letter to the island. It’s a story about Malta’s past, but also about its present and future. About the choices we make, and the legacies we leave behind.

‘Malta is changing,’ Borg says. ‘But some things remain the same. I wanted to explore that tension, that push and pull between tradition and progress.’

What’s Next for ‘The Godmother’?

‘The Godmother’ is set to be published later this year, with a launch event planned at the Malta Book Festival. Borg is also in talks with local film producers to adapt the novel for the screen.

‘I hope ‘The Godmother’ will start a conversation,’ Borg says. ‘About women, about Malta, about the stories we tell, and the ones we choose to ignore.’

For now, Borg is busy with the final edits, but she’s already thinking about her next project. ‘I’ve always been drawn to complex, morally ambiguous characters,’ she says. ‘I think there’s a lot more to explore in that space.’

So, keep an eye out for ‘The Godmother’. It’s not just a mafia story. It’s a Maltese story. It’s a woman’s story. It’s a story about all of us.