‘Everyone has their story to tell’
Fateful Encounters by Charles Casha published by Midsea Books, 2021 “Every person holds a book just waiting to be written inside of him or her. It is a pity that so many of these stories remain untold and unburied with the person who lived them.” This is what one of the main characters in Charles Casha’s book Fateful Encounters wanted to avoid. Published originally in Maltese as Il-Ktieb ta’ Barabba (2010), the book Fateful Encounters was ably translated by Martin Bugelli and published by Midsea Books. It is the story of three persons brought together by one casual – indeed, fateful – encounter in a hospital corridor. Casha is no novice to Maltese literature. In addition to the successful Fra Mudest series, which continues to entertain children (and adults), Casha authored an excellent autobiography and several anthologies of short stories, including Stejjer veri li qatt ma’ ġraw and Mit-toroq tar-raħal. Those familiar with his work will be aware of his excellent narrative abilities. This book is not Casha’s first work to be translated into English. Such initiatives are to be lauded and encouraged since they offer an opportunity for Maltese literature to be enjoyed in other...