Event post: Teodor Reljic - Two launch

I have finally finished reading Teodor Reljic's debut novel, Two.  Not because the narrative is boring or nowhere close to intriguing or entertaining.  Far from it.  Very far from it.

As I attended the book launch organised by Merlin Publishers in collaboration with Creative Island last Friday, I made it my plan to immerse myself into this other world for three solid days maximum, making the most of the long weekend.  Alas, now that I no longer have the luxury of laying in bed all day while the parents (bless them) carry out the errands and chores (I'm a grown up, independent woman of sorts now), my duties dragged me, rather unwillingly, away from Two's world.

Or should I say worlds? Without giving out any spoilers, the narrative revolves around William's reality and Vermillion's world - a world which only William, his mother and the reader seem to be privy of. William's candid thoughts are conveyed by the narrator and I loved the candour, honesty and innocence captured in this young voice.

The launch itself was captivating enough.  Set in the hauntingly beautiful Cafe Wignacourt in Rabat, those attending the launch were lead towards a 'Well of Secrets' where we could listen in on others' untold truths.  Then, hooded creatures, masked with what looked like bark from trees, ushered us to the 'Tree of Secrets', where again, we could spy into others' hidden tales which this time were hanging from the branches. Being given access into others' secrets meant that we had to reciprocate by writing down our own secrets and throwing them into the 'Vessels of Secrets.' (Sharing most of my life on this blog meant I found this actually rather difficult to do!) Wine and nibbles flowed with the attendees' words, floating on the fresh spring breeze.

For logistical reasons, we seem to have missed the author's speech, if there actually was one.  And though until then my 'fangirl' status was still undetermined, I would have loved to have a chat with Reljic to find out more about the creative process.  But I had only read one page of the book until then - Two passed Ford Madox Ford's test with flying colours in my opinion: "Open the book to page 99 and read, and the quality of the whole will be revealed to you." 

The rest of the pages, well, if I hadn't enjoyed the book or the event that launched it, I wouldn't be blogging about it, let's face it.  It's up to you to get engulfed in Two now.

"I need to get between the shadows like an insect or a snake.  Without my parents around me I feel like a different thing, like I'm an animal, a creature.  All alone, I can be whatever I want to be."

Photos courtesy of Jacob Sammut.  For more of his photography, please click here.

Buy Teodor Reljic's novel Two here.



N.B. This is not a paid or sponsored post and all opinions are my own thoughts.