
Edenglassie
ABOUT
THE BOOK
When Mulanyin meets the beautiful Nita in Edenglassie, their saltwater people still outnumber the British. As colonial unrest peaks, Mulanyin dreams of taking his bride home to Yugambeh Country, but his plans for independence collide with white justice. Two centuries later, fiery activist Winona meets Dr Johnny. Together they care for obstinate centenarian Granny Eddie, and sparks fly, but not always in the right direction. What nobody knows is how far the legacies of the past will reach into their modern lives. In this brilliant epic, Melissa Lucashenko torches Queensland’s colonial myths, while reimagining an Australian future.
NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS
About the book: Two extraordinary Indigenous stories set five generations apart. When Mulanyin meets the beautiful Nita in Edenglassie, their saltwater people still outnumber the British. As colonial unrest peaks, Mulanyin dreams of taking his bride home to Yugambeh Country, but his plans for independence collide with white justice. Two centuries later, fiery activist Winona meets Dr Johnny. Together they care for obstinate centenarian Grannie Eddie, and sparks fly, but not always in the right direction. What nobody knows is how far the legacies of the past will reach into their modern lives. In this brilliant epic, Melissa Lucashenko torches Queensland’s colonial myths, while reimagining an Australian future. Reason for nomination: Edenglassie has won and been shortlisted for multiple awards across Australia including:
Winner, Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards 2024 – Fiction, Winner, Indie Book Awards 2024, It has circulated 459 times on indyreads on the e-content platform which provides free access to ebooks and eaudio via a browser or Android & Apple Apps. Through indyreads, State Library members can access a diverse collection, including Australian and international independent titles, award-winning literature, classic fiction and non-fiction imprints, and the best examples of self-published content. Furthermore, as Sarah Malik said, ‘It’s an ambitious novel that is beautiful, boisterous, and deeply moving – a lens on Australia’s past that inspires you to think about how we might shape a more equitable future.’ (SBS) – State Library of New South Wales – Edenglassie opens with a scene at South Bank, and much of the novel is set around Kurilpa Point and Maiwar, as well as West End, central Meanjin/Brisbane, Frog’s Hollow, and Eagle Street. State Library considers it to be a fine historical novel that reimagines and explores much of Meanjin’s history from the mid-1800s onwards. Edenglassie is a moving and beautifully told novel grounded in research and truth-telling about the ongoing relationships, displacement and survival of First Nations people. Its well-crafted, compelling love stories offer humour and historical insights. It has won or appeared on many awards lists, including the 2024 Miles Franklin longlist. (State Library of Queensland)