RobertaBajada

She spent much of her childhood immersed in his stories, which led her to write her own tales, complete with illustrations. These she eagerly shared with her teachers. Later, Bajada’s literary taste gravitated towards novels infused with dark humour, magical realism and gothic elements, with Carlos Ruiz Zafón being a notable influence.

Bajada strives to reach a broad teenage audience with her writing. Given her daily interaction with young adults, she knows her target demographic very well. She adopts a light tone in her writing, skillfully weaving together elements from her favourite genres, including steampunk, dystopian narratives and dark fantasy. In so doing, she tries to enhance the appeal of her stories, seeking to compete favourably amid popular contemporary forms of entertainment like gaming and social media. This is evident in works such as Arloġġ u Tila (“Clock and Canvas”, Merlin Publishers, 2016) and Arlekkin Isfar (“Yellow Harlequin”, Merlin Publishers, 2019). In these books she uses fantasy to explore themes that resonate with teenage readers, such as the turbulence of adolescence and adjusting to a step-parent.

In Termini u Kundizzjonijiet Japplikaw (“Terms and Conditions Apply”, Merlin Publishers, 2017), Bajada tackles grief at losing a loved one by combining humour and mystery. When the recently departed Gonsalvo Borg Buttigieg attempts to enter heaven, he encounters a barred door and a guardian angel who informs him that he must resolve some pending matters on Earth before receiving his coveted halo. Thus, Borg Buttigieg makes his way back to Earth as an invisible spirit and, aided by a ten-year-old boy, unravels the mystery surrounding his own death.

In this story, Bajada employs a number of tropes typical of genre fiction. What we have here is a ghost story about unresolved issues that bind an ethereal being to the mortal realm. Borg Buttigieg’s spirit remains tethered to the unfinished business surrounding his premature death, longing for closure. His spectral interaction with the boy also evokes a sense of mystery and highlights the enduring connection between the living and the departed. All of this happens against the backdrop of an intriguing murder mystery with an intricate plot, suspenseful twists and some charmingly quirky characters. Bajada handles this with a gentle and humorous approach, keeping the narrative flowing smoothly while respecting the seriousness of the underlying themes.

Bajada presents a distinct and original voice in teenage literature. Her contribution to this relatively sparse segment of the local literary landscape is significant. She echoes the richness of past literary traditions while also embracing a forward-thinking approach with modern themes and styles.