Malta’s Own: A New ‘Godfather’ Novel from a Woman’s Perspective

Imagine this: the bustling streets of Valletta, the scent of sea salt and history hanging heavy in the air. Now, picture a woman, not a mere bystander, but a key player in the shadows of Malta’s underworld. This is not a scene from a forgotten film reel, but the premise of a new ‘Godfather’ novel, set to hit shelves next year.

From Sicily to Malta: A New Mafia Narrative

The ‘Godfather’ series, immortalized by Francis Ford Coppola’s films, has long been a staple in mafia literature. Now, local author Maria Azzopardi, born and bred in Żebbuġ, is set to add her unique voice to this literary dynasty. Her upcoming novel, ‘The Godmother’, promises to shift the narrative from the traditional male-dominated perspective to one that explores the inner workings of the mafia through the eyes of a woman.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the power dynamics within the mafia,” says Azzopardi, “but I wanted to explore a different angle. Women have always been integral to these organizations, yet their stories are often overlooked.”

Malta’s Underworld: Fact or Fiction?

While Azzopardi’s novel is a work of fiction, Malta’s own history with organized crime is no secret. From the 1980s to the early 2000s, the island was a hotbed for mafia activity, with Sicilian and Calabrian crime syndicates vying for control. Today, while the threat has diminished, it has not disappeared entirely.

For Azzopardi, this local history provides a rich backdrop for her story. “Malta’s unique position in the Mediterranean has always made it a crossroads for different criminal organizations,” she explains. “I wanted to explore how a woman might scene.”

Writing Women into the Narrative

Azzopardi’s protagonist, Concetta, is no damsel in distress. She’s a sharp-witted, resourceful woman who finds herself drawn into the criminal underworld after her brother’s murder. As she seeks justice, she begins to understand the power structures that govern Malta’s shadowy world.

“Concetta is not a traditional mafia wife or girlfriend,” Azzopardi says. “She’s a woman who takes control of her own destiny, even if that means operating within a system designed to keep her down.”

This is not the first time Azzopardi has tackled complex female characters. Her previous novel, ‘The Olive Grove’, explored the lives of Maltese women during the Second World War. However, ‘The Godmother’ marks her most ambitious project to date.

What’s Next for ‘The Godmother’?

With the manuscript complete, Azzopardi is now in talks with local publishers. She hopes to have ‘The Godmother’ on shelves by late 2023. Meanwhile, she’s already planning her next project, a historical novel set during Malta’s Knights Hospitaller period.

For now, though, her focus is on ‘The Godmother’. “I want readers to see the complexity of these women’s lives,” she says. “They’re not just victims or accessories. They’re active participants in their own stories.”

And so, as we walk the streets of Valletta, let’s remember that the history we pass by is not just one of grand architecture and ancient tales, but also one of power, corruption, and the women who dared to challenge the status quo.