Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/893950
maltatoday SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER 2017 41 THE debut novel for poet Na- dia Mifsud, Ir-rota daret dawra (kważi) sħiħa is a poignant tale about the mother-daughter dy- namics, an exploration, analysis of the maternal bond and its influ- ence on the path of life for both the mother and the daughter. Little observations are described in a raw manner – such as little quirky details about pregnancy, or about the death of someone close, details that can only catch the attention of a seasoned author – someone who lives life through the lure of the pen. This is exactly what author Na- dia Mifsud does. Her debut novel is so powerful that describing it as an emotional rollercoaster is a lame cliché. She zooms in with her mind camera and writes a plot based on people who lead a normal life, like you and me. And then takes that story and turns it into a relationship drama, full of suspense. Readers will be con- stantly gripped and asking what happened? Who? When? Where? The rawness of Ir-rota daret dawra (kważi) sħiħa perhaps stems from the fact that the au- thor comes from a family with a strong matrilineal narrative. "I grew up surrounded by women – I have these beautiful memories dating back to my childhood of four generations of women hud- dled in a small kitchen in Bormla, chatting away loudly, laughing, joking, teasing one another, and sometimes getting into argu- ments," says Mifsud. Observing them individually but also in their interactions with each other was one of her favourite pastimes, and growing up in the midst of them she often tried to make sense of what each woman passed on to the next generation while figuring out what needed to be left behind. Then, her daughters were born and she found herself "directly experiencing all the ambiguities of motherhood" and having to combine her personal story with all the literature and theories on feminism that "had nourished my student years". Ir-rota daret dawra (kważi) sħiħa was the winner of the #abbozz 2014 competition or- ganised by Merlin Pub- lishers. The book is for sale at all leading book- shops or directly from merlinpublishers.com This Week The home I really want #OneStepCloser A special fixed rate offer of 2.5% until 31 March 2020 is available for first time buyers taking a home loan of up to €300,000. Representative example of a Classic Home Loan based on a loan amount of €140,000 being made available to a first-time buyer by HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. at a fixed borrowing interest rate of 2.5% for the first 24 months and a variable borrowing interest rate of 3% p.a. for the remaining 336 months. The APRC will be 3% p.a. The loan will be repayable in 24 equal monthly instalments of €555.83, 335 equal monthly instalments of €591.32 and one final instalment of €560.61. The total sum payable throughout the term of the loan assuming the variable interest rate remains unchanged will be €212,314.43. Applicable charges on this loan are as follows - processing fee of €50, processing (legal) fee of €100, booking fee of €100, updating of searches fees of €41.70 and a fee for post-deed checking of hypothecary charge of €30. The loan is to be secured by a first ranking hypothec and special privilege over the property being financed, a first ranking pledge over a life assurance policy covering the whole loan amount and a buildings insurance policy for the replacement cost of the property being financed. If repayments are not maintained, the bank may take steps to sell the property financed following legal proceedings and the borrower may lose his property. Terms and conditions apply. Approved and issued by HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c., 116, Archbishop Street, Valletta VLT1444 which is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. 96700-10/2017 Click hsbc.com.mt Call 2380 2000 Visit your local branch SMS send text message "HOME LOAN" to 7900 2380 (Normal SMS tariffs apply) HSBCMalta HSBC_MT Move into the home you've always wanted. With expert help from our lending specialists and home loans with some of the best rates on the market, it's never been easier to make your dreams come to life. Take advantage of our BEST HOME LOAN RATES The twists and turns of time Debut novel by poet Nadia Mifsud explores the dynamics of Maltese motherhood Devised by up-and- coming production company Studio 18, the children's show Dear Pete will be treading the boards of Teatru Salesjan after a successful initial run last February THE story deals with a young boy, Pete (Ben Abela), aged 10, who has lost both his parents and lives alone with his only company being that of his neighbourhood friends. The play was written and devised by Studio 18's Creative Lab and has original music written for it. It deals with childhood bereave- ment and loss in general – the company has consulted with edu- cational psychologist Ian Azzo- pardi Meli to design the piece in such a way that truly reflects the stages of grief as experienced by children, using the appropriate colours on set and costumes to re- flect the emotions in play. Dear Pete will be staged at Teat- ru Salesjan, Sliema on October 30 and 31(matinees for schools) and November 2-4 (open to the pub- lic – starting at 18:30). The show is recommended for children aged 6-10. Bookings: www.ticketline. com.mt Children's performance tackles grief Ben Abela plays the titular role in Studio 18's Dear Pete