“Yes, I would compare “Samuraj” to “1984″.”

Bully for you!

“To make objective statements, you must have studied, analyzed and have a wide culture on the subject.”

I couldn’t study them, too amateur and boring for words! However whenever I compare them to real literature …

“This is one of the most pertinent message given by Daphne on this blog. That opinions are just opinions”

Fine, it’s my opinion that books like Samuraj are utter crap!

For someone who stated he doesn’t care about my opinion you really keep on at it!

“Also, David, you have not told us whether there is a personal rift between you and the Sammuts.”

Didn’t I?

@ David Buttigieg

Yes, I would compare “Samuraj” to “1984”.

Still, you have not argued your position out of this contradiction:

in prior comments you said you read only O Level syllabus books in Maltese and decided to give up on Maltese literature; still you feel you can generalize about ALL of Maltese literature.

You might be justified in saying that it is not to your liking (which is subjective) but not that it is amateurish (which is close to an objective statement). To make objective statements, you must have studied, analyzed and have a wide culture on the subject.

This is one of the most pertinent message given by Daphne on this blog. That opinions are just opinions, unless backed by intelligent cultivation of one’s ability to judge.

Also, David, you have not told us whether there is a personal rift between you and the Sammuts.

@Min,

Well actually you are right, I never managed to get my hands on any of his recent stupendous works of literature, and the chances are I never will.

Contrary to what you said, I have attempted to read Maltese literature, by several ‘brilliant’ Maltese authors as you would put it, but rarely managed to finish them, finding them amateur at best and very boring.

If you do happen to know of any you honestly believe worth reading please do let me know, I may give it another try.

Also, I happen to judge a person’s brilliance on more then writing ‘brilliant books’ by Maltese standards, and just because I find Maltese literature so dreadfully boring does not mean I do not read a variety of real literature, I do and feel quite as competent as you would have me believe you are.

Unless of course you believe the normal “standards” of literature do not apply to Maltese literature, you know, like comparing a book written by a child to one by an adult.

Can you honestly even begin to compare “Samuraj” to books like “The Sound and the Fury” or “1984” or even “The little Prince”? Well if so, bully for you! (And those are not even greats)

http://daphnecaruanagalizia.com/2008/12/22/a-la-frans-sammut/ – rather excellent description of old Frans’s literary genius.

“Actually, as a Maltese, it hurts me that someone should publicly flaunt his ignorance of his native land’s literature.”

Oh grow up and let’s not get back into a Maltese lit debate again.

How can Maltastar report on Magistrate Scerri Herrera’s cross-examination? Why, the way it reports on everything else? with plenty of exclaimation!!makrs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and esplling mastikes? and question?markx ir the wnong placse?

Seriously, though, they missed out on a really good story.

Apparently, it’s far more relevant to the well-being of the popolin that the daughter-in-law of a kapitalist screwed up aTV announcement in Australia.

Compromising the judiciary by unethical and unseemly behaviour is chickenfeed in comparison, wouldn’t you say?

Isn’t it vilely unethical of Magistrate Scerri Herrera to sign a promise of sale (konvenju) with Dr. C. Galea to purchase a property in Msida for Lm175,000 (Kuntratt tal-10 ta’ Novembru 2005 – 124036/2005).when she was presiding court cases in which Dr. Galea himself was a party and issuing controversial court decrees in his favour. This verifiable information is diametrically opposite to what she stated in Court as reported in The Times.

Brilliant! A replay of Jerry Falwell vs. Larry Flynt. Classic reductio ad absurdum.

@ La Redoute: I couldn’t agree more with you. Not only the magistrate, but her brother too, are over the top thinking they are entitled to God-knows-what.

In reality, the God-knows-what applies to what goes on behind the scenes.

I am very concerned by the fact that Jose’ Herrera has been an MP for 14 years now, and nobody has ever had the bright idea of investigating some of his by-the-side dealings.

Hadn’t it been for Daphne, who drew attention to the controversial behaviour of one of the Herreras, these people would be just ignored. I wonder whether our journalists know the meaning of “sleuthing”.

@ David Buttigieg

You have already publicly expressed your view that you have read one book in Maltese and gave up on the literature in that language. So I really do not want to go over all this again with you. You have never read the books written by Sammut, so your opinion about his works is worthless.

Do you know why -273 degrees Celsius is an important temperature? Because it is Absolute Zero (in Kelvins). That is also the worth of anybody’s opinion on books they haven’t read, or about which they haven’t read anything. Absolute Zero.

Actually, as a Maltese, it hurts me that someone should publicly flaunt his ignorance of his native land’s literature.

@ David Buttigieg

“These people” = Frans Sammut and his sons.

Trying to be objective… “good pen”.

It is convenient to pick and choose ‘facts’ and use the law where it suits us and leave the option for other matters to be tackled later.
Is there some sort of cross examination of the injured party in this?

[Daphne – Yes, of course. I speak on the 21st. The magistrate didn’t feel defamed by accusations of double adultery, lying, cheating and sleeping with a man who had just started a family (so that she would avoid being cross-examined on these ‘delicate’ subjects). Which leaves her open to the accusation that she wasted police time to have me prosecuted and interrogated for saying that she looks like the back of a bus and has parties where the guests (but not her) snort cocaine. Pathetic. And despite the outgoing chief justice’s categorical pronouncement on the matter, she actually thinks that for a magistrate, all that is legal is permissible and acceptable.]