Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545608
struggles, and historical figures were ordinary people trying to survive extraordinary circum- stances." It was the human element which drew her to historical fiction. "The genre allows us to bridge the gap between the his- tory we study and the history people actually lived…" Fenech says she wanted read- ers to feel immersed in the world she was creating. "I want- ed readers to feel the heat of a Maltese summer, hear the church bells and cannon fire, walk the narrow lanes of Bir- gu and Mdina, smell the lime- stone dust and salt air, listen to the wildly entertaining Maltese banter, and experience the un- certainty, fear, courage, and of course, humour, of the people who called Malta home." A connection across two worlds Living outside of Malta has only strengthened Fenech's connection to the island. "When you're surrounded by something every day, it's easy to take it for granted. Distance has given me a tremendous ap- preciation for Malta's history, culture, and the spirit of its peo- ple." Growing up in a Maltese fam- ily in Canada, Fenech says she was always conscious of having roots in two worlds. "My parents laid the founda- tion for my interest in Maltese history and identity. I grew up listening to their fascinating and colourful stories, speaking Maltese before I spoke English, and spending much of my child- hood travelling back and forth between Malta and Canada." Her father, Alfred Fenech, was deeply involved in Toronto's Maltese community, serving as the organist of St Paul the Apostle Church and as the an- chor of his Maltese television programme serving the local di- aspora. "Watching his commit- ment to preserving our culture left a lasting impression on me," she says. Fenech says that this dual per- spective has been invaluable as a writer. "On the one hand, I feel a responsibility to honour the history and portray Malta authentically. On the other, I can approach the story much as an in- ternational reader would by asking the questions, exploring the details, and finding ways to make the setting accessible to those who may nev- er have heard of Bir- gu, Mdina, or even the Great Siege." Connecting with the diaspora The response from the Maltese diaspora, Fenech says, has been one of the most re- warding aspects of the journey. "I've received lovely messages from readers across Canada, England, Ireland, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond, many of whom have told me that my novels helped them reconnect with their roots, inspired them to dig into Malta's history, or sparked conversations with family members about their an- cestry." She says she has also heard from readers who felt repre- sented by the books, those who found an escape in the story, and others who were inspired by the underdogs. A few even told her they were upset she had killed off a char- acter they liked. "And those are probably my favourite to re- ceive!" Balancing history and fiction Historical fiction can be a dif- ficult genre to crack, as it com- bines a fictional plot with a spe- cific and real period of history. Fenech says writing it can feel like walking a "tightrope." "This is actually a topic I've spoken about at conferences because it's one of the central challenges of writing historical fiction. As authors, we have a responsibility to respect the historical record, but we also have a responsibility to tell a compelling story. The challenge is finding the balance." Fenech says she wants to rep- resent real events and individ- uals faithfully, while ensuring readers remain emotionally connected rather than over- whelmed by facts. "Historical fiction works best when it makes the past feel alive rather than academic." Keeping Malta's story alive When asked about the role she plays in keeping Maltese histo- ry alive, Fenech says communal memory survives because "each generation chooses to carry it forward." "Historical fiction is one of the ways we can pass those stories on, not merely as facts, but as living narratives that continue to reverberate." For Fenech, if her novels help even a small number of readers feel connected to Malta and the people who "came before them," she will consider that one of the most meaningful ac- complishments of her writing career. The Great Siege trilogy can be purchased from https:// marthesefenech.com/books/ 3 BOOKS history through fiction "I've received lovely messages from readers across Canada, England, Ireland, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond, many of whom have told me that my novels helped them reconnect with their roots..." Photos of Marthese Fenech during her travels to Malta maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 JUNE 2026