Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray by Anita Heiss

The powerful Murrumbidgee River surges through town leaving death and destruction in its wake. It is a stark reminder that while the river can give life, it can just as easily take it away.

Wagadhaany is one of the lucky ones. She survives. But is her life now better than the fate she escaped? Forced to move away from her miyagan, she walks through each day with no trace of dance in her step, her broken heart forever calling her back home to Gundagai.

When she meets Wiradyuri stockman Yindyamarra, Wagadhaany’s heart slowly begins to heal. But still, she dreams of a better life, away from the degradation of being owned. She longs to set out along the river of her ancestors, in search of lost family and country. Can she find the courage to defy the White man’s law? And if she does, will it bring hope ... or heartache?

Most novels about 19th century European settlement of Australia are written from the point of view of the settlers, with occasional (if any) reference to the Indigenous people. This is the first novel I have read from an Indigenous perspective. It was an incredible journey to witness Wagadhaany and her family come alive, and to witness their relationship with country.

This is a wonderful novel that took me into a world I thought I knew and completely changed the perspective. The use of Wiradjuri language made the book so much richer in culture, forcing me to stop and listen and analyse the words instead of just reading past them.

The attention to detail and respect shown towards traditional customs and the environment is refreshing to see. This was a very difficult book to put down. It had an emotional impact and made me sad and angry at times, but it is one that will stay with me forever.

Themes: Aboriginal author, Aboriginal experience, Aboriginal peoples - history, Floods, Family.

Emily Feetham