Spiteri - known as Kilin, the name by which his mother used to call him - was born in Rabat in 1917. He studied at the Lyceum from where he matriculated in 1934. He served as customs officer (1935-41) and in other sections of the civil service (1941-75).
Kim published a series of five booklets on the chapels in the Maltese countryside: Kappelli u Knejjes Zghar (1967), Nistqarr (1968), Djar is-Sultana (1969), and Osanna (1978). Wayside Chapels (1966) is the English version of the first one while A Maltese Mosaic (1990) is the updated English version of the four books in Maltese.
Burdati (1970) and Burdati 71 (1971) were Kilin’s first tentative venture into the realm of poetry and short-story writing. A collection of essays in Tlikki Tlikki ma’ Wenzu (1972) was followed by Hawn Ahna, Wenz (1991). Fuq ll-Ghajn ta’San BastJan (1973, 1975, 1977, 1985, 1993), easily the most popular of Kilin’s works, consists of his childhood memories in the twenties. Wara l-Ghajn ta’ San Bastjan (1994, 1996) and Iz-Zmien Isajjar il-Bajtar (1996) continue the memoirs of his boyhood and youth.
Kilin’s three novels differ widely from each other not only in plot and treatment but even the period of time: past, future, and present. L-Ghafrid (1975), Tmint Ijiem fi Dragunara (1984) also a prize-winner, It-tapit Imsahhar (1995), and Tinsiex Publius Tinsiex (2003). He translated L-Alla lima Nemminx Fih (1983) from Spanish.
Kilin’s varied interests include music, painting, chess, and the stage. As he roams the beloved countryside, his dialogues with ‘Wenzu’, his portable radio, often express his bitterness at the fast- disappearing characteristic environment and popular customs. But even then, a deep nostalgia assuages the pain, even if it does not heal the wound.