A great novel

Kilin (The Sunday Times, November 28) sounds very bitter at the way his novel was treated by the adjudicating panel. I can well understand his disappointment, because Tinsiex, Publius, Tinsiex! which I enjoyed reading and rereading, is, in my opinion,...

Kilin (The Sunday Times, November 28) sounds very bitter at the way his novel was treated by the adjudicating panel. I can well understand his disappointment, because Tinsiex, Publius, Tinsiex! which I enjoyed reading and rereading, is, in my opinion, a great novel.

Friends of mine who read the book are of the same opinion and had only one comment to make for the shabby way it was treated - X'gharukaza! What a shame!

What was it that kept the novel from reaching that exclusive "desired level"? I have a sneaking suspicion that the reason for the strange decision was the oft-recurring prejudice that would make old-timers step aside and make room for the younger generation of writers. But surely the market is open and unrestricted and any young writer can always try his hand.

Besides, what is it that makes a writer old or young? At 87, Kilin, like nonagenarian Guzè Chetcuti for that matter, is refreshingly evergreen.

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