THE STRANGE TRUTH OF FICTION

Man's fleeting journey on earth is replete with a wide range of personal experiences that significantly deal with life. The Author believes that `The Strange Truth of Fiction' is an apt title for the oxymoron, the contradiction of terms, is baffling but quite true as will be revealed in the context of his exposition. Only inquisitive readers will discover the solution, whether the Title exemplifies the Truth turned into Fiction or Vice Versa. Some incidents and accidents in life remain fixed in Man's memory. However he may recall them over and over again either in conversation or, as in the case of the Author, in his writing of `The Strange Truth of Fiction'. Many of his experiences, long-buried in the sub-conscious mind find expression in his work: experiences are often jolted into his active memory when they are triggered by similar incidents. Then the author dresses them up to make them gain shape Yet, though amplified they still reveal the realities of life. If the Author's experiences provide both enjoyment and understanding the readers will appreciate the knowledge and retain a permanence of his wisdom in this literary production. Shameful experiences remain purposely hidden not to incriminate living people, though he may intertwine them into fictitious characters. Such is the story of `Amanda.' Marriage brings this innocent creature to America. Here, unexpected circumstances bring her into the vicissitudes of drugs, alcohol, rape and family feud. Other episodes in life are incessantly made the topic of conversation: they may be the means of amplification of an artistic description or of a historical period of youthful exuberance in Valletta (Malta). `Those were the Days my Friend' reveals the traditional culture of this small Island in the sunny Mediterranean Sea. Youth's behaviour is universal but the background scenes of Malta and the denouement of their adventures is unique. Experiences may function as methods of factual examples: they reinforce a discourse, an argument or an exposition. `Oh my Mama to me she was so Wonderful,' is not only a true autobiography of an unexpected coincidence but also the revelation of a secret kept to the end of the story. Thus life experiences in conversation or in written form become the appreciable values of fiction that refines a reader's mind. Very often the Author turns true experiences into stories that adorn biographies. Here living people, well known to him, speak and act under fictitious names. He makes such stories the means of his didacticism that provides information, instruction and discussion; in this case on the animosity of man's behaviour towards his neighbour. `Neighbours' is such a story that precipitates tragic consequences. Above all, some stories even provide an authentic insight of the human predicament in a universe, sometimes friendly, sometimes hostile and sometimes indifferent. `We Don't Need no Education,' the title of the Beatles' song, ironically implies that only through the rigours of education one achieves success in life, even though the family has to suffer financially and morally in the process. True happenings in life are sometimes tragic; occasionally humorous. Death predominates in family tragedies. Such topic is highly emotional. It engenders sympathy and empathy. It becomes unexpectedly lachrymose when death touches the young member of the family. `Once I had a Secret Love,' Doris Day's triumphal song is ironically symbolic of tragic love. Comic episodes in life stimulate humour, an element of pleasant relief and entertainment. True or imaginary stories embellish the literary world by encouraging the readers' participation in adventures of ordinary people. `A Distorted Portrait of an Eccentric Family' characterises the individuality of this extended family unit as evidenced by parents, children and aunts living together. `Only in Libya' is a behaviour study of students and staff in the Jamahiriya under Colonel Muammmar Gaddafi's rule. The Author's personal experiences encompass his travels abroad: they enhance his knowledge of distant lands. Away from his place of birth, he keeps recalling historical episodes of the pint-size Island of Malta, famous for its role during the Second World. In fact, Argentina's Falkland Islands with their extant evidence of sunken ships and minefields, stimulate reminiscences of his childhood and the vandalism of the German Luftwaffe, true episodes of wartime Malta. Intertwined with these recollections he describes how he was `Mugged' in Santiago, Chile. The Author's travels contain a fund of information, and ideas as well as knowledge of the world. However, he often translates his experiences into his stories, embellished with imaginative descriptions, arresting expressions and other linguistic aids including a pleasant style. However readers need pay particular attention and concentration to attain a clear understanding. If they do so, his philosophical dicta should make them aware of the hidden truths of man's universal role. As a human being, Man is subject to superior forces. He is buffeted by coincidences, destiny, misfortune and even Providence. Though this collection of stories may encapsulate a short span of a man's life, they are in essence true to life; The adventures are not intended to be purposely didactic. They are not meant to teach, instruct or even educate. They do not conform to a particular rigid formula of a sympathetic hero (or heroine) or any particular theme or a happy ending. Such limitations restrict the writer's opportunity in freely expressing the truth. Only the plot is characteristic of a true narration or a recording of what truly happened. Thus, the reader should evaluate the story by its truth rather than by other characteristic structures or genre. Nevertheless, the Author considers these stories more as a literature of escape than of interpretation. He believes that they broaden the readers' vision and sharpen their awareness of the everyday reality of life. The stories are certainly true to life. They illustrate aspects of human behaviour. Yet in many respects they pertain to the literary world of fiction: Hopefully, they entertain by allowing the readers' participation in `imaginary' adventures of ordinary people.