madgec's review
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
A really interesting story. I really enjoyed the experience of reading, but I didn't find it engrossing as I would have needed to to give it a 5 star rating. It was a bit slow to start. Really loved the character of Louisa and how Wagadhaany's impression of her made me examine my own thoughts and biases.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Colonisation, and Racism
Moderate: Rape
oliviashleigh's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Racism
Moderate: Child death and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy, Infertility, Rape, and Domestic abuse
sondercactus's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lipglossmaffia's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
xtines's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jadehc's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sarahsbookchat's review
5.0
Oh I feel so much pressure with this review! I want to do the book justice, but I'm not a writer.
I loved it. I loved it for so many reasons - some of which I will try to explain.
It is the story of the Gundagai flood, but that is really the backdrop to so much more. It is really the story of very early White settlement in Australia, and the devastating (understatement) effects this had on the Indigenous people (the start of it anyway, we all know this continues to this day). It is the story of the Wiradyuri people and how their whole world was taken from them. It is told mostly through the eyes of Wagadhaany - a young girl who is "working for", ie. a slave for a white family in Gundagai and then Wagga Wagga.
Firstly, I LOVED that Anita Heiss used traditional language, not only in the title, but throughout the whole book. Soooo good. (Most words you can understand through context, but there is also a glossary at the back).
I loved the way the story was told weaving facts amongst fiction. It is a fictional story but set amongst the historical facts. It was so educational and I think one of the best books I have read that really demonstrates the relationship Aboriginal people had with the land and within their family groups.
I loved the way the land and settings were described. I could picture the families living at the river, I could see the elder ladies in my mind sitting around the camp, and I could see the dancing and the children. And then I could also feel the pain of the people seeing their land being misused and mistreated and the heartbreak this bought - as well as the physical effects this had when unable to hunt and gather on their own lands.
Lastly - I could honestly go on all day about this book - I loved the characters. Wagadhaany, Yindy, Yarri, and all of the others, even Louisa and the Bradleys. Each had an important role in allowing the story to be told and to show all of the different aspects that were going on at that time.
The more I think about it, the more I realise just how clever it is, and the more I love it.
Argh- I just want everyone to read it! Please read it!
I loved it. I loved it for so many reasons - some of which I will try to explain.
It is the story of the Gundagai flood, but that is really the backdrop to so much more. It is really the story of very early White settlement in Australia, and the devastating (understatement) effects this had on the Indigenous people (the start of it anyway, we all know this continues to this day). It is the story of the Wiradyuri people and how their whole world was taken from them. It is told mostly through the eyes of Wagadhaany - a young girl who is "working for", ie. a slave for a white family in Gundagai and then Wagga Wagga.
Firstly, I LOVED that Anita Heiss used traditional language, not only in the title, but throughout the whole book. Soooo good. (Most words you can understand through context, but there is also a glossary at the back).
I loved the way the story was told weaving facts amongst fiction. It is a fictional story but set amongst the historical facts. It was so educational and I think one of the best books I have read that really demonstrates the relationship Aboriginal people had with the land and within their family groups.
I loved the way the land and settings were described. I could picture the families living at the river, I could see the elder ladies in my mind sitting around the camp, and I could see the dancing and the children. And then I could also feel the pain of the people seeing their land being misused and mistreated and the heartbreak this bought - as well as the physical effects this had when unable to hunt and gather on their own lands.
Lastly - I could honestly go on all day about this book - I loved the characters. Wagadhaany, Yindy, Yarri, and all of the others, even Louisa and the Bradleys. Each had an important role in allowing the story to be told and to show all of the different aspects that were going on at that time.
The more I think about it, the more I realise just how clever it is, and the more I love it.
Argh- I just want everyone to read it! Please read it!
ashrocc's review
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
aasebrandbyge's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
joolliee's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray by Anita Heiss
⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Set in Wiradjuri country, Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams) follows the life of Wagadhaany (Wog-a-dine), a young aboriginal woman. Wagadhaany means dance, but through oppression by the White man, Wagadhaany loses the joy of dance.
Told from multiple viewpoints, the story explores the themes of family and belonging. The Murumbidya Bila (Murrumbidgee River) centres us through place and provides a turbulent constant in this tale of love and loss.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned about the life of the Wiradjuri under the Masters and Servants law and the impending gold rush.With Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray you get not just a wonderful story but a lesson in Wiradjuri life and language. The book contains a helpful glossary of Wiradjuri language and the story is filled with insights into the life of inland NSW aboriginal people during the mid 19th century.
⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Set in Wiradjuri country, Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams) follows the life of Wagadhaany (Wog-a-dine), a young aboriginal woman. Wagadhaany means dance, but through oppression by the White man, Wagadhaany loses the joy of dance.
Told from multiple viewpoints, the story explores the themes of family and belonging. The Murumbidya Bila (Murrumbidgee River) centres us through place and provides a turbulent constant in this tale of love and loss.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned about the life of the Wiradjuri under the Masters and Servants law and the impending gold rush.With Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray you get not just a wonderful story but a lesson in Wiradjuri life and language. The book contains a helpful glossary of Wiradjuri language and the story is filled with insights into the life of inland NSW aboriginal people during the mid 19th century.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Child death, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism and Animal cruelty