Your next read:
UQP's new
First Nations Classics series
UQ's award-winning publishing house, University of Queensland Press (UQP), has launched a new series showcasing classics of Indigenous Australian literature.
Featuring both well-known titles and lesser-known gems across a range of genres, UQP series editor Yasmin Smith said the purpose of this series is to shine a light on some of Australia's modern cultural treasures.
"I hope this series will provide readers a renewed appetite, a greater awareness and a new thoughtfulness towards Indigenous stories and culture. The First Nations Classics are essential reading for all generations.", Smith said.
To celebrate the launch, we're giving away a full set of the 8 new First Nations Classics editions, valued at $150. Enter by 12pm (Queensland time) on Wednesday 19 September for your chance to win. Terms and conditions apply.
Read on for a closer look at the new series, and why you should add these 8 beautiful new editions to your bedside stack.
Unbranded
What's it about?
Unbranded tells the story of 3 men – Sandy, Bindi and Mulga – and their enduring friendship over 40 years.
Sandy dreams of owning a cattle empire, Bindi seeks to regain the tribal lands of his people, and Mulga writes about their shared journey.
Who wrote it?
Herb Wharton AM, a former drover, immortalised his experiences from his years on the stock routes of inland Australia through his novels and collections of stories.
He has been awarded the Centenary of Federation Medal, the Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature, the Queensland Greats Award, and the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) honour.
Why is it a must-read?
Unbranded is a classic of outback literature that vividly captures the lives of its characters against unique Queensland settings like the Mt Isa Rodeo.
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Unbranded
What's it about?
Unbranded tells the story of 3 men – Sandy, Bindi and Mulga – and their enduring friendship over 40 years.
Sandy dreams of owning a cattle empire, Bindi seeks to regain the tribal lands of his people, and Mulga writes about their shared journey.
Who wrote it?
Herb Wharton AM, a former drover, immortalised his experiences from his years on the stock routes of inland Australia through his novels and collections of stories.
He has been awarded the Centenary of Federation Medal, the Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature, the Queensland Greats Award, and the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) honour.
Why is it a must-read?
Unbranded is a classic of outback literature that vividly captures the lives of its characters against unique Queensland settings like the Mt Isa Rodeo.
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence
What's it about?
Known to most Australians through the feature film it inspired, Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence tells the true story of how Molly and her 2 sisters made an extraordinary trek across remote Australia at the ages of just 8, 11 and 14.
Who wrote it?
Nugi Garimara, born in 1937 on Balfour Downs Station in the East Pilbara, homeland of her Mardu ancestors, wrote this extraordinary book about the experiences of her mother (Molly).
In a tragic twist, Garimara herself was removed from her mother as a toddler and taken to the Moore River Native Settlement – the very same institution her mother escaped from by following the rabbit-proof fence.
Why is it a must-read?
This book, and Molly's story, have played an important role in Australia's cultural reckoning with the terrible history of the Stolen Generations.
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence
What's it about?
Known to most Australians through the feature film it inspired, Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence tells the true story of how Molly and her 2 sisters made an extraordinary trek across remote Australia at the ages of just 8, 11 and 14.
Who wrote it?
Nugi Garimara, born in 1937 on Balfour Downs Station in the East Pilbara, homeland of her Mardu ancestors, wrote this extraordinary book about the experiences of her mother (Molly).
In a tragic twist, Garimara herself was removed from her mother as a toddler and taken to the Moore River Native Settlement – the very same institution her mother escaped from by following the rabbit-proof fence.
Why is it a must-read?
This book, and Molly's story, have played an important role in Australia's cultural reckoning with the terrible history of the Stolen Generations.
Blood
What's it about?
Blood follows Jesse, who has made an unbreakable vow to safeguard his sister, Rachel, under any circumstances – a pledge bound by blood. However, when faced with life-or-death situations, he grapples with finding the strength and bravery to fulfil his promise.
Who wrote it?
Tony Birch is the multi-award-winning author of 3 novels, 4 short story collections, and 2 poetry collections. He is also an activist, historian and essayist, and currently the Boisbouvier Chair in Australian Literature at The University of Melbourne.
Why is it a must-read?
This masterful coming-of-age novel showcases the work of one of Australia's greatest storytellers at the top of his game.
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Blood
What's it about?
Blood follows Jesse, who has made an unbreakable vow to safeguard his sister, Rachel, under any circumstances – a pledge bound by blood. However, when faced with life-or-death situations, he grapples with finding the strength and bravery to fulfil his promise.
Who wrote it?
Tony Birch is the multi-award-winning author of 3 novels, 4 short story collections, and 2 poetry collections. He is also an activist, historian and essayist, and currently the Boisbouvier Chair in Australian Literature at The University of Melbourne.
Why is it a must-read?
This masterful coming-of-age novel showcases the work of one of Australia's greatest storytellers at the top of his game.
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Heat and Light
What's it about?
Heat and Light is a captivating collection that reimagines traditional storytelling with a contemporary edge, exploring the multi-generational Kresinger family's legacy in 'Heat,' a futuristic world's plight in 'Water,' and the complexities of familial ties and belonging in 'Light'.
Who wrote it?
Ellen van Neerven, an acclaimed writer of Mununjali Yugambeh (South East Queensland) and Dutch heritage, is known for their versatile work in fiction, poetry, plays, and non-fiction.
Their work has garnered numerous awards, such as the David Unaipon Award, Dobbie Literary Award, NSW Premier’s Literary Awards Indigenous Writers Prize and Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry.
Why is it a must-read?
This unique book is testament to the immense talent and ingenuity of one of Australia's most impressive young writers.
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Heat and Light
What's it about?
Heat and Light is a captivating collection that reimagines traditional storytelling with a contemporary edge, exploring the multi-generational Kresinger family's legacy in 'Heat,' a futuristic world's plight in 'Water,' and the complexities of familial ties and belonging in 'Light'.
Who wrote it?
Ellen van Neerven, an acclaimed writer of Mununjali Yugambeh (South East Queensland) and Dutch heritage, is known for their versatile work in fiction, poetry, plays, and non-fiction.
Their work has garnered numerous awards, such as the David Unaipon Award, Dobbie Literary Award, NSW Premier’s Literary Awards Indigenous Writers Prize and Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry.
Why is it a must-read?
This unique book is testament to the immense talent and ingenuity of one of Australia's most impressive young writers.
Don't Take Your Love to Town
What's it about?
Don’t Take Your Love to Town is an autobiographical tale of resilience amidst poverty and adversity, as Ruby Langford Ginibi recalls the early loss of her mother, upbringing in a northern New South Wales mission, leaving home at 15, working on the land while raising 9 children mostly on her own, and facing challenges in the Koori communities of Sydney.
Who wrote it?
Ruby Langford Ginibi, a Bundjalung woman born in 1934, wrote about her life experiences in the bush and in Sydney.
A renowned Koori spokesperson, educator and author whose tribal name 'Ginibi' was given to her by her aunt, Eileen Morgan, she documented her journey reconnect with her family, community and land in her work.
Why is it a must-read?
This brilliant work of memoir captivated readers when it was released in 1988, and hasn't lost any of its emotional heft.
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Don't Take Your Love to Town
What's it about?
Don’t Take Your Love to Town is an autobiographical tale of resilience amidst poverty and adversity, as Ruby Langford Ginibi recalls the early loss of her mother, upbringing in a northern New South Wales mission, leaving home at 15, working on the land while raising 9 children mostly on her own, and facing challenges in the Koori communities of Sydney.
Who wrote it?
Ruby Langford Ginibi, a Bundjalung woman born in 1934, wrote about her life experiences in the bush and in Sydney.
A renowned Koori spokesperson, educator and author whose tribal name 'Ginibi' was given to her by her aunt, Eileen Morgan, she documented her journey reconnect with her family, community and land in her work.
Why is it a must-read?
This brilliant work of memoir captivated readers when it was released in 1988, and hasn't lost any of its emotional heft.
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
The Window Seat
What's it about?
The Window Seat is a short story collection that features some of Archie Weller's finest tales. Unflinching and powerful, they explore themes as diverse as justice, prejudice and fate with moving honesty.
This First Nations Classics edition opens with an introduction from Australian national treasure Ernie Dingo.
Who wrote it?
Archie Weller is a prolific writer of novels and short stories. His novel The Land of the Golden Clouds received the Human Rights Award in 1998.
He currently resides in a rustic stone cottage on a 40-acre bushland property along the Gordon River in Western Australia.
Why is it a must-read?
This anthology will take you on a journey that will make you rethink what it means to be an Australian.
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
The Window Seat
What's it about?
The Window Seat is a short story collection that features some of Archie Weller's finest tales. Unflinching and powerful, they explore themes as diverse as justice, prejudice and fate with moving honesty.
This First Nations Classics edition opens with an introduction from Australian national treasure, Ernie Dingo.
Who wrote it?
Archie Weller is a prolific writer of novels and short stories. His novel The Land of the Golden Clouds received the Human Rights Award in 1998.
He currently resides in a rustic stone cottage on a 40-acre bushland property along the Gordon River in Western Australia.
Why is it a must-read?
This anthology will take you on a journey that will make you rethink what it means to be an Australian.
Purple Threads
What's it about?
This novel follows Sunny's childhood, growing up with her Nan and Aunties, playing on the hills near their farmhouse during the day and listening to their stories by the fire at night, enjoying a life filled with freedom, care and affection.
As she matures, she confronts the difficulties of feeling different from others and coping with her mother's unpredictable visits.
Who wrote it?
Jeanine Leane is an award-winning Wiradjuri writer, poet and academic who currently teaches Creative Writing and Aboriginal Literature at The University of Melbourne.
Why is it a must-read?
This endearing book is based on Leane's own childhood, and is as funny as it is touching.
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Purple Threads
What's it about?
This novel follows Sunny's childhood, growing up with her Nan and Aunties, playing on the hills near their farmhouse during the day and listening to their stories by the fire at night, enjoying a life filled with freedom, care and affection.
As she matures, she confronts the difficulties of feeling different from others and coping with her mother's unpredictable visits.
Who wrote it?
Jeanine Leane is an award-winning Wiradjuri writer, poet and academic who currently teaches Creative Writing and Aboriginal Literature at The University of Melbourne.
Why is it a must-read?
This endearing book is based on Leane's own childhood, and is as funny as it is touching.
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Holocaust Island
What's it about?
Written when Dixon was in prison, this collection of poems addresses challenging cultural issues such as deaths in custody and the struggle for Land Rights.
Who wrote it?
Graeme Dixon, born in Perth in 1955, faced a tumultuous life, spending time in Sister Kate's Children's Home, a Salvation Army Boys Home, and Fremantle Prison, where he began writing poetry in secret.
Despite his challenging past, he later pursued tertiary education and became an important literary voice in Australia.
Why is it a must-read?
Winner of the inaugural David Unaipon Award in 1989, this collection is – sadly – as poignant and relevant as ever.
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Image: UQP
Holocaust Island
What's it about?
Written when Dixon was in prison, this collection of poems addresses challenging cultural issues such as deaths in custody and the struggle for Land Rights.
Who wrote it?
Graeme Dixon, born in Perth in 1955, faced a tumultuous life, spending time in Sister Kate's Children's Home, a Salvation Army Boys Home, and Fremantle Prison, where he began writing poetry in secret.
Despite his challenging past, he later pursued tertiary education and became an important literary voice in Australia.
Why is it a must-read?
Winner of the inaugural David Unaipon Award in 1989, this collection is – sadly – as poignant and relevant as ever.
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