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Session 2 : Jumaana Abdu

2025 Stella shortlisted author Jumaana Abdu discusses her debut novel Translations. Moderated by Beejay Silcox.

About the Book

Amid a series of personal disasters, Aliyah and her daughter, Sakina, retreat to rural New South Wales to make a new life. Aliyah manages to secure a run-down property and hires a farmhand, Shep, an extremely private Palestinian man and the region’s imām.

During a storm, she drives past the town’s river and happens upon a childhood friend, Hana, who has been living a life of desperation. Aliyah takes her in and tries to navigate the indefinable relationships between both Hana and her farmhand. Tensions rise as Aliyah’s growing bond with Shep strains her devotion to Hana.

Finally, all are thrown together for a reckoning alongside Hana’s brother, Hashim, and Aliyah’s confidante, Billie – a local Kamilaroi midwife she met working at the hospital – while bushfires rage around them.

Winner, 2025 SMH Best Young Australian Novelists
Shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize.
Shortlisted in the NSW Premier's Literary Awards.

Jumaana Abdu is extraordinary and I will read everything she writes.
HANNAH KENT

'Translations is a joy to read.'
Stella Judges' report

Shortlisted for the MUD Literary Prize.

About Jumaana Abdu

Jumaanais the author of (Vintage) which was shortlisted for the Stella Prize, the MUD Literary Prize, and a NSW Premier’s Literary Award. Her widely published fiction and essays have won the Dal Stivens Award, the Patricia Hackett Prize, and the Phoebe Journal fiction prize.  During the day, she is a medical doctor. 

About Beejay Silcox

Beejay is a book critic. Her work appears in high-profile publications across three continents, and is renowned for its resolute (some might say, foolhardy) honesty. In addition to her criticism, Beejay works as a professional reader: she’s a literary interviewer, festival programmer, editor and literary prize judge. And she has stories to tell. Beejay eloped to Las Vegas, escaped from quicksand, and drove to Timbuktu in a car held together with a bra-strap. She once had to be rescued – unironically – from a picnic at Hanging Rock.

About the Event
• Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
• Registration is required for this event.
• Accessible parking spaces directly below the Harry Hartog ANU Bookshop are available should you require them.
• If you do not feel well, please refrain from attending this event.
• Disability Access available - please ask in-store.