Novel of a road trip through France to CARTAGENA
Novel set in MALTA
2nd November 2026
You Know The Sun Bothers Me by Ryan Falzon, novel set in MALTA
TR: Joe Gatt
I love the idea that the publisher, Foundry Editions (who specialise in translated Mediterranean literature) highlights that the covers on their books have been designed to capture the visual heritage of the Mediterranean. This novel set in Malta is inspired by Renzo Piano’s designs at Dar il-Parlament in Valletta and created by Hélène Marchal. It is such a charming approach to cover design.
The story opens, posing the question: What’s there to do in Malta in the Summer? It is, of course, more than ‘..heat, sweat and lethargy..”. All the permutations are covered, our nameless narrator affirms that in Summer he loses himself. He teaches physics in term time and likes tinkering with his car, vehicles are his one real passion. Of course he lives in proximity to his Mother. He has a year round fervour for his houseplants, he cares for them like children (no plastic ones for him!). Tinder features for him too.
And now, at this point in the year, he has to try and unhitch from the school routine, and the quandary is, how he will spend the upcoming three months of free time.
He starts going out with Sarah, an artist, who seems to live predominantly online. Already, early on, there is a sense that the human
connection between them will be of a very specific kind, fragile and unyielding. He acknowledges that, technically, this is the third Summer he is single. Her attitude towards what they have seems to be on a take it or leave it basis; he, however, hankers after more. Yet he doesn’t seem to understand how to engage, Sarah is clearly not someone who is ideal for an emotionally balanced relationship. He can tend to be judgemental, tempered with a degree of misogyny (he notes her whining, describes her saggy chest; or reflects that women on Tinder often need a coat of foundation and a round of Photoshop). Perhaps inceldom is calling….
This is a depressing take on early adulthood and on the emotional disconnection that is widely experienced today. It is extremely readable (in part due to the short, snappy chapters and succinct writing style), but I ultimately came away from this novel worried about the struggle so many experience to bond with a soulmate (and I say this as a couple counsellor). It really does get inside the despondent thinking of an alienated young man and it does make you think.
With thanks to OptIndie for introducing me to this novel.
Tina for the TripFiction Team
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