Comments on: What next? A raid on Agenda's fiction shelves?

By: Stefan Cutajar

Stefan Cutajar — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:29:20 +0000

In reply to charlene.

Let’s not generalise, Charlene. It is undeniable that there are many men in Malta with an abnormally high sex drive, yet I disagree that the ‘typical’ Maltese bloke is so one-track-minded.

This story is so effective because it delves deep into an extreme personality. I’m sure that the average man’s thoughts are much more controlled, thus much more boring. Exaggerations are always captivating.

By: Stefan Cutajar

Stefan Cutajar — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:21:03 +0000

I actually think it’s quite an intriguing piece of literature, the way he exposes the thoughts and way of life of this narrow minded sex addict is brilliant.

Altough I am not a misogynist and I believe in equality at all levels, as men we must admit that our sex drive does push us to think the ‘unthinkable’ sometimes.

Humans are sexual animals after all, and the male penis has the exceptional ability to obscure our rational thought and turn us into brute monsters.

This shocking stream of consciousness makes a lot of sense, people like this do exist, and proper literature deals with the realities around us, it does not escape such truths but tackles them head on, no matter what.

By: Karl

Karl — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:21:17 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree with you here, Daphne.

However I would change one small thing to your text:

“Or haven’t you been listening?” should be changed to “Or haven’t you been listening TO YOURSELF?”

It’s funny how many people act all holier than thou when it’s convenient for them, but do the polar opposite otherwise. I’m pretty convinced that many of the “saints” pointing their righteous finger at this young man spice up their conversations with the very same words published on the story. As one old lady once told me “dawn in-nies jibilghu l-ostja u jahraw ix-xjaten”.

By: Self Sideshow

Self Sideshow — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 01:18:55 +0000

This whole issue has been useful in that it’s helping Malta to undergo the type of internal debate that was prevalent in most of Europe during the sixteenth century.

Better late than never!

Peter Grech, you’re an embarassment to the nation!

By: Dude

Dude — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:01:51 +0000

To think a story causing so much controversy could be so BORING. Maybe this is because of the years of possible desensitisation from using the internet ever since I was 15 that makes me feel this way. It’s not even detailed enough to be called pornographic like some commentators were saying.

Regardless of personal opinion, this definitely should not have been such a huge issue. Here’s hoping that in the future Malta can feel more open minded.

By: charlene

charlene — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:58:19 +0000

This is brilliant work… shocking at the same time. Not shocking because of the way it is written- we hear such words every day in malta. Shocking is the fact that THIS describes the typical Maltese guy. Vella Gera couldn’t have described it more real!

By: M

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:11:21 +0000

I have just finished reading, and as a Maltese guy, I do feel that it is exactly the language that we speak here between us. I was shocked to see the extremity of it and as a true libertarian condemn the prosecution. However, a line has been crossed and there must be limits on what is written, especially written on a non pornographic magazine. But if we really delve into our culture and history, I would like to point something out. We have (and still are) been a supressed population ever since a guy named Paul decided to crash onto our little island. Divorce is not legal, Porn and other sexual items are not sold freely yet and other endless circumstances make us think (and act) like animals.
I have been missing from Malta for 6 years and finally came back. I have left Malta as a true catholic, u kont nhawwad kull m hemm…I come back as an atheist, and a decent human being that regards women as beings not objects. I rest my case, I have been cultured… I have been reborn.

By: Angele

Angele — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:03:55 +0000

I’ve been trying to find this article ever since they did a Xarabank program on it….it might be vulgar and distateful, true, but the Maltese language in itself is vulgar…. as for prosecuting the editor, it’s ridiculous!!!!!! Has the Rector and Police never heard of Two and a Half Men? Any mature, or immature mind for that matter, can watch it, and the main character in the series is one such man….just out for sex and fun. I know more than 1 maltese man that behave in such a manner…one also cheated on his gilrfriend while on a picnic (he just went behind a bush with another girl just there and then)!!!!! So yes, some men do really behave like that!!!

ALso, if you go to any Agenda bookstore, you will find stacks of books from Mills & Boon and SIlhouette filled with much more descriptive intimacies…..and believe me, I read my first M&B book when i was still 14 – and let’s just say that that was the start of me learning to like reading, a lot…

Anyone who condemns this author and the editor is just hiding behind the old maltese extreme religious mentality of x’gharukaza, dawn l-affarijiet ma jsirux….i have news for you, hadd m’ghandu subghajh dritt u qabel ma tikkundannaw lil haddiehor, ahsbu naqra fuq kif iggibu ruhkom inthom jew nies li tafu…….

By: just me

just me — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:18:07 +0000

This article is distasteful, even boring to read, but if a person wants to write this he should be able to do so, he is not hurting anybody, if you don’t like it — don’ t read it. It’s this simple.

Writers should be allowed to write anything as long as it’s not breaking the law; writing garbage is not breaking the law. If it were, most of the books in the library and shows on TV would be banned. Oh and music, so much crap on the radio nowadays.

PS: all these girls/women fighting for freedom of speech are so sexy. Keep fighting!

By: Marija

Marija — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:41:43 +0000

In reply to Magrin. I tried to target the content of the story in my own way, in reply to Mr. Vella Gera's own post. Who are you to tell me how to react to the story?