London 1897 and a young girl, Valentine Grey, arrives in England. She's been brought up in the remote and sunny climes of India and finds being forced into corsets and skirts in damp and cold country insufferable. The only bright spot: her exciting cousin, Reggie. Reggie, and his lover Frank seek out the adventure the clandestine bars and streets of London offer and are happy to include Valentine in their secret, showing her theatre, gardens - even teaching her how to ride a bicycle. And then comes the Boer War and Reggie's father volunteers him; the empire must be defended. But it won't be Reggie who dons the Volunteer Regiment's garb. Valentine takes her chance, puts on her cousin's uniform, leaving Reggie behind and heads off to war. And for a long while it's glorious and liberating for both of the cousins, but war is not glorious and in Victorian London homosexuality is not liberating ...

Sent to crimson-tide for the NEW wishlist tag game.

Arrived safely today and BCID sticker duly stuck... :-)
This is my very first new book for the new year - thanks very much catsalive.

This was a great read. Although the premise sounds extreme, this type of scenario did actually occasionally happen in times gone by. The Boer War was the first in which many of the foot soldiers were educated enough to be able to write about the horrors encountered and the total futility of it all. War is always nasty, but the behaviour of the British in this one was reprehensible. The writing, the plot, and the characters here are all sound and the book ended up going in some unexpected directions, which is always a bonus.

Hitchhiker! Hope you enjoy it.

Surprise, surprise an extra book in the wish list tag parcel all the way from WA. I haven't come across this author before so I'm looking forward to reading it.
Thank-you so much crimson-tide.

This is an entertaining and well-written novel: the historical background in Assam (India), London, and South Africa is fascinating and portrayed with great atmosphere and detail. The strong, lively characters are very well drawn and avoid falling into clichés; and the tricky dual narrative unfolds in equally compelling strands. With its background of war the story understandably becomes somewhat grim in parts, regardless it is well worth reading.

On to the shelves.

To the finder of this book -
Please let me know it is in safe hands by journalling that you have caught it, you are under no obligation to read it and Bookcrossing is completely anonymous.