Longlisted for the 2022 Stella Prize

Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray– Anita Heiss

Fiction · Simon & Schuster

About the Book

Gundagai, 1852

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?

Set on timeless Wiradyuri country, where the life-giving waters of the rivers can make or break dreams, and based on devastating true events, Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams) is an epic story of love, loss and belonging.

Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray belongs in the library of all Australians, no matter their age.”

– 2022 Stella Prize Judges

Anita Heiss

About the Author


Anita Heiss

Dr Anita Heiss is a member of the Wiradjuri Nation, and an award-winning author of 18 books. She is an international speaker with a background in Australian First Nations literature calling her audiences to action on issues that she is passionate about. She is a board member of University of Queensland Press, Aboriginal Art Co and the National Justice Project. Anita is a Professor of Communications at the University of Queensland and an Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and the GO Foundation. Her play Tiddas will premier with La Boite Theatre in 2022 and her latest novel is Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray.

Further Reading



Reviews 

“There are books you encounter as an adult that you wish you could press into the hands of your younger self. Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray is one of those books…” – Beejay Silcox, The Guardian 

“Celebrating family, love, and connection to the land, Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray is a profoundly moving showcase of Heiss’ skill for crafting stories and relationships.” – Jodie Sloan, The AU Review

“We need more of these stories; more novels that reflect Australia’s colonial past through the eyes of First Nations women.” – Chris Gordon, Readings online

Links

Listen to Anita Heiss discuss Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray on ABC Radio’s Afternoons with Jacinta Parsons

Watch ‘Aboriginal writing: literature as a political tool’ via Allen & Unwin

Listen to Anita Heiss discuss Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray with Paul Barclay at Melbourne Writers Festival

Judges’ Report


Explore the latest from Stella

This month Stella celebrates Graft by Maggie Mackellar, longlisted for the 2024 Stella Prize.  You describe the word ‘graft’ as the act …

This month Stella celebrates Bodies of Light by Jennifer Down, shortlisted for the 2022 Stella Prize.  Since Bodies of Light was first …

Life at Springfield

Writers’ Residencies – Life at Springfield Stella is committed to providing writers with the conditions and opportunities they need to produce their …

Help change the story

As a not-for-profit organisation with ambitious goals, Stella relies on the generous support of donors to help fund our work.

Every donation is important to us and allows Stella to continue its role as the leading voice for gender equality and cultural change in Australian literature.

Stella is a not-for-profit organisation with DGR status. All donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible.