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Babanango #1
A Rougher Task
It is 1878, and beneath the heat of the South African sun, a brutal war is brewing. Yet for the soldiers based at the dreary maritime barracks of Chatham, the prospect of journeying to this exotic land is an opportunity they cannot resist.
Albert Bond, a young lieutenant and academy graduate, is plagued by his family’s ruin as he desperately attempts to cling to the status of his wealthy upbringing. Yet he is soon forced to reassess his aspirations, his morals, and his feelings concerning class and rank as he realises his growing affection for his handsome batman Jack Coleman. Jack grew up as the lowest of the low, but his social disadvantages fail to supress his optimism and willingness to take risks, attributes that Bond cannot help but admire.
As the two men come to rely on one another for comfort and companionship amidst the animosity and indecision of war, their relationship begins to shift. But in a time of deep-rooted institutional and societal prejudice, will their intimacy blossom into something tangible?
Albert Bond, a young lieutenant and academy graduate, is plagued by his family’s ruin as he desperately attempts to cling to the status of his wealthy upbringing. Yet he is soon forced to reassess his aspirations, his morals, and his feelings concerning class and rank as he realises his growing affection for his handsome batman Jack Coleman. Jack grew up as the lowest of the low, but his social disadvantages fail to supress his optimism and willingness to take risks, attributes that Bond cannot help but admire.
As the two men come to rely on one another for comfort and companionship amidst the animosity and indecision of war, their relationship begins to shift. But in a time of deep-rooted institutional and societal prejudice, will their intimacy blossom into something tangible?
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2024
6 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 15, 2024
I read Babanango, A Rougher Task on recommendation, as someone who enjoys watching TV shows like Sharpe. This wasn’t Sharpe. It is set in the late Victorian era and follows two young soldiers sent from Kent to Africa for the Zulu war, who just happen to fall in love in the process. I am a straight, non-white English ex-Royal Marine and LGBT ally who has always served with gay people without giving it a second thought. Babanango wasn’t my genre, and the British empire is not my era, so I was genuinely surprised at how relatable I found the experiences of the characters, gay and straight. It turned out that it didn’t matter when it was set. When your boots don’t fit, your feet hurt, you’re wet, hot, or cold, tired, scared, then all you care about is food, sleep, orders and if the lad next to you has your back… whoever he loves in his downtime. The author captures all of this. The battle sequences are epic, bloody, and harsh. I felt conflicted by what the characters are made to go and do to survive in this brutal period of history, not for their officers, their country, or their flag, but to just get by and to see another sunrise together. I hope book two comes with more of the same and will be preordering when it does.
May 23, 2024
Here we have a book that is meant to be the love story between our two main characters, Albert Bond and Jack Coleman. Bert is a down on his luck socialite from London who has bought himself a commission in the army in an attempt to turn his life around, sort out his financial issues and marry the girl he's been courting. Jack come from the slums, has had a rough life watching his mother sell herself to support them and comes from an entirely different world to Albert. They cross paths in the army when Albert is looking for a man servant and Jack is recommended to him by one of the NCOs. They are sent over to Africa to fight the Zulus and this is where their relationship becomes something a little bit more.
I found this book to be overly descriptive of things not important to the progression of the story and this left it with a distinct lack of sturdy plot. There are so many perspective changes, some even within a single paragraph, that it's difficult to follow what is actually going on and where and this kind of waffly prose left you unable to decipher what story exactly the author was trying to tell us.
It is billed as a love story between the two soldiers, but there was very little at all of the romance between them, and by the end you still don't exactly know what is going on between them.
However the author has done a spectacular job of describing the conditions the British army lived under in Africa during this conflict and the battle scenes were bloody and Stark.
Overall it is an OK read, a little bit too far outside of my usual choice, and having found myself left with more questions than answers at the end, I was disappointed that the ending didn't actually wrap anything up neatly.
I found this book to be overly descriptive of things not important to the progression of the story and this left it with a distinct lack of sturdy plot. There are so many perspective changes, some even within a single paragraph, that it's difficult to follow what is actually going on and where and this kind of waffly prose left you unable to decipher what story exactly the author was trying to tell us.
It is billed as a love story between the two soldiers, but there was very little at all of the romance between them, and by the end you still don't exactly know what is going on between them.
However the author has done a spectacular job of describing the conditions the British army lived under in Africa during this conflict and the battle scenes were bloody and Stark.
Overall it is an OK read, a little bit too far outside of my usual choice, and having found myself left with more questions than answers at the end, I was disappointed that the ending didn't actually wrap anything up neatly.
June 25, 2024
When asked if I wanted to review this book, I was immediately interested. The South African history has always fascinated me and being a South African, it is always good to read how people perceive the country. South Africa is tamed since the Zulu wars, but the sentiments cemented during those wars are still very much alive. Gone are the days of non-existent roads, but the effects of these wars can still be felt within our borders.
This book has been dedicated to the author’s grandfather, who has fought in the second World War. It is unclear from the author’s bio if his grandfather was stationed in South-Africa, nevertheless; I think his grandfather would be proud of the book from the author’s pen. How the author got to the name Babanango is unclear, but I must commend him for the research he has put into the book. It is the small things that are sometimes forgotten that make a plotline believable.
KZN is an exquisite area in our country, steeped in history and breathtaking landscapes, and the rains are not unfamiliar to us. The lush greenery is a beautiful sight to behold, and the mountain ranges are spectacular. I felt sorry for the troops that had suffered through the rains in this unknown area as they embarked on their adventure.
The book is a lengthy tale of Luietenant Bond who fell into hardships during this period. His only solace was to enter the war to save his life from total ruin. Meeting Jack Coleman, who became his batman, it was clear that the two would bond. The cultures could not be more diverse, yet the men’s relationship blossomed. Though very subtle, the nuances of a budding romance could be recognised. I enjoyed the many supporting characters that were introduced into the story, making this a very entertaining book.
However, I found some of the descriptive writings a bit too much. A reader wants to get to the story as quickly as possible and the too many backstories stopped the flow considerably. Otherwise, a book I would recommend to every historical reader on the search for something different.
This book has been dedicated to the author’s grandfather, who has fought in the second World War. It is unclear from the author’s bio if his grandfather was stationed in South-Africa, nevertheless; I think his grandfather would be proud of the book from the author’s pen. How the author got to the name Babanango is unclear, but I must commend him for the research he has put into the book. It is the small things that are sometimes forgotten that make a plotline believable.
KZN is an exquisite area in our country, steeped in history and breathtaking landscapes, and the rains are not unfamiliar to us. The lush greenery is a beautiful sight to behold, and the mountain ranges are spectacular. I felt sorry for the troops that had suffered through the rains in this unknown area as they embarked on their adventure.
The book is a lengthy tale of Luietenant Bond who fell into hardships during this period. His only solace was to enter the war to save his life from total ruin. Meeting Jack Coleman, who became his batman, it was clear that the two would bond. The cultures could not be more diverse, yet the men’s relationship blossomed. Though very subtle, the nuances of a budding romance could be recognised. I enjoyed the many supporting characters that were introduced into the story, making this a very entertaining book.
However, I found some of the descriptive writings a bit too much. A reader wants to get to the story as quickly as possible and the too many backstories stopped the flow considerably. Otherwise, a book I would recommend to every historical reader on the search for something different.
June 25, 2024
'Then, as they looked searchingly into one another’s eyes for a moment more, they finally realised that the gulf placed between their respective rank and upbringing was gradually beginning to disappear forever, replaced by a fraternity that only such circumstances could instil in two so very different people.'
This is a historical novel of colonial war and forbidden love. In 1878 Albert Bond is an officer in the army training in Kent. He's in reduced circumstances following the death of his parents and a dwindling family fortune.
Handsome Jack Coleman is a sapper and assigned as Albert's batman, his personal servant.
Training life feels like it could go on forever when they're called up for action. They're heading to South Africa and the growing conflict with the Zulu in what will be known as the Boer War.
Amidst the searing heat and punishing conditions in Africa, Bond and Coleman develop feelings for each other, at first a mutual respect but gradually deepening into something they don't fully understand or want to admit.
After all it's the 19th century and that kind of love is forbidden and could prove disastrous in the army.
This is a real slow burn adventure. A lot of of detail and army talk. We're quarter of the way through the novel when we get to Africa and over halfway before any action which is realistic and brutal.
The slow pace won't be for everyone but it gives the characters time to live their lives in front of us.
This is no modern day insta-love but a realistic portrait of the times with the two men gradually coming to terms with their feelings for each other. We're a long way through the novel before anything significant happens between them but it feels right.
And I swear the author must have been around at the time 🤣. It's so realistic that you feel you're there in Africa with them.
The book is left ready for further adventures as there will be a book 2.
(Thank you to Henry Roi PR and the publisher for an ecopy of the book)
This is a historical novel of colonial war and forbidden love. In 1878 Albert Bond is an officer in the army training in Kent. He's in reduced circumstances following the death of his parents and a dwindling family fortune.
Handsome Jack Coleman is a sapper and assigned as Albert's batman, his personal servant.
Training life feels like it could go on forever when they're called up for action. They're heading to South Africa and the growing conflict with the Zulu in what will be known as the Boer War.
Amidst the searing heat and punishing conditions in Africa, Bond and Coleman develop feelings for each other, at first a mutual respect but gradually deepening into something they don't fully understand or want to admit.
After all it's the 19th century and that kind of love is forbidden and could prove disastrous in the army.
This is a real slow burn adventure. A lot of of detail and army talk. We're quarter of the way through the novel when we get to Africa and over halfway before any action which is realistic and brutal.
The slow pace won't be for everyone but it gives the characters time to live their lives in front of us.
This is no modern day insta-love but a realistic portrait of the times with the two men gradually coming to terms with their feelings for each other. We're a long way through the novel before anything significant happens between them but it feels right.
And I swear the author must have been around at the time 🤣. It's so realistic that you feel you're there in Africa with them.
The book is left ready for further adventures as there will be a book 2.
(Thank you to Henry Roi PR and the publisher for an ecopy of the book)
June 27, 2024
For the soldiers stuck in the boring maritime barracks of Chatham, the chance to head to an exotic land is a dream come true. Albert, a young lieutenant from a once-wealthy family, is trying to hold onto his past status. Things get complicated when he finds himself growing closer to Jack. Jack, who grew up with nothing, has an infectious optimism and a fearless attitude that Albert can't help but admire. As they face the uncertainties of war together, their bond deepens in ways neither of them expected. Their friendship turns into something more intimate, challenging the rigid social norms of their time.
DJG Palmer does a great job of bringing this historical period to life while telling a very human story. The war scenes are gritty and real, but it's the evolving relationship between Albert and Jack that really pulls you in. Their struggle to navigate their feelings in a world that doesn't accept them is thought-provoking.
A Rougher Task is a touching exploration of love, class, and personal growth. It's a war story that makes you think about the past. I connected deeply with the characters' emotions. Definitely worth a read!
DJG Palmer does a great job of bringing this historical period to life while telling a very human story. The war scenes are gritty and real, but it's the evolving relationship between Albert and Jack that really pulls you in. Their struggle to navigate their feelings in a world that doesn't accept them is thought-provoking.
A Rougher Task is a touching exploration of love, class, and personal growth. It's a war story that makes you think about the past. I connected deeply with the characters' emotions. Definitely worth a read!
April 11, 2024
Reading this book is an exercise in finding the story in a morass of words. Even then, it wasn't something I found satisfying.
Too much time is spent describing things, people, places, not letting everything unfold as characters experienced them. This, and data dumping, distanced me from the writing and certainly made it hard to care about the two principal characters, Lt Albert Bond and Sapper Jack Coleman.
In part, this book is billed as a queer romance. I'm all for queering history (this time the Boer War). Yet all that the author offers is a damp squib which is all the more frustrating because neither character is fleshed out. How are they queer? What have their experiences been? How does that feed into their current situation? We're given all sorts of detail about their lives so far (see the data dumping above) yet none of it really feeds into convincing, flesh and blood characters who we care about, follow the progress of and are the reason to continue reading.
Disappointing.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.
Too much time is spent describing things, people, places, not letting everything unfold as characters experienced them. This, and data dumping, distanced me from the writing and certainly made it hard to care about the two principal characters, Lt Albert Bond and Sapper Jack Coleman.
In part, this book is billed as a queer romance. I'm all for queering history (this time the Boer War). Yet all that the author offers is a damp squib which is all the more frustrating because neither character is fleshed out. How are they queer? What have their experiences been? How does that feed into their current situation? We're given all sorts of detail about their lives so far (see the data dumping above) yet none of it really feeds into convincing, flesh and blood characters who we care about, follow the progress of and are the reason to continue reading.
Disappointing.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2024
I found A Rougher Task to be a richly detailed account of a significant but often overlooked period. The novel brings the tumultuous era of colonial Zululand to life, with historical facts about the personal journeys of its protagonists.
The author had a meticulous attention to historical detail and clearly conducted extensive research, presenting the cultural and political scenario of 1879 Zululand with precision. The depiction of the British military strategies and the Zulu's valiant resistance is accurate and still engaging, providing a balanced view of the conflict.
Lieutenant Nathaniel Chambers and Sipho are well-built characters. Nathaniel's transformation from a naive young officer to a seasoned soldier grappling with the moral complexities of war was told with sensitivity and realism. Similarly, Sipho's perspective offers valuable insights into the Zulu's struggle to defend their homeland and traditions.
It's a story that makes you reflect on the past and its enduring impact on the present.
The author had a meticulous attention to historical detail and clearly conducted extensive research, presenting the cultural and political scenario of 1879 Zululand with precision. The depiction of the British military strategies and the Zulu's valiant resistance is accurate and still engaging, providing a balanced view of the conflict.
Lieutenant Nathaniel Chambers and Sipho are well-built characters. Nathaniel's transformation from a naive young officer to a seasoned soldier grappling with the moral complexities of war was told with sensitivity and realism. Similarly, Sipho's perspective offers valuable insights into the Zulu's struggle to defend their homeland and traditions.
It's a story that makes you reflect on the past and its enduring impact on the present.
May 27, 2024
A Rougher Task is less historical romance (or even adventure) and more of a diary-esque narration of the 1870s Royal Engineers' daily life.
While the main characters, Albert Bond and Jack Coleman, are interesting and their slow-blossoming relationship the highlight of the book, the author spends too much time with detailed descriptions of mundane scenes, randomly switching to secondary and tetriary characters, breaking the already slow pace.
If you want a snapshot of life in the army in the Vicrotian period, the book is great. For a romance and/or action plot, it's unfortunately dull.
Thank you NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for the ARC!
While the main characters, Albert Bond and Jack Coleman, are interesting and their slow-blossoming relationship the highlight of the book, the author spends too much time with detailed descriptions of mundane scenes, randomly switching to secondary and tetriary characters, breaking the already slow pace.
If you want a snapshot of life in the army in the Vicrotian period, the book is great. For a romance and/or action plot, it's unfortunately dull.
Thank you NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for the ARC!
June 25, 2024
Engaging, emotive, beautifully told, super well edited and designed. DJG Palmer's A Rougher Task is a masterful narrative set against the harsh realities of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Through the experiences of Albert Bond, a young lieutenant grappling with his family's financial downfall, and Jack Coleman, his optimistic and daring batman, DJG Palmer write a poignant exploration of love and survival. The slow-burning romance between Albert and Jack offers a tender contrast to the brutal backdrop, presenting a heartfelt story of resilience and hope amid societal prejudice. Palmer's meticulous research and unique writing elevate this historical fiction. Five stars!
June 26, 2024
This book is a blend of historical drama and emotional connection. It is set in the turbulent times of the Anglo-Zulu War. The relationship between Albert Bond and Jack Coleman is beautifully portrayed, highlighting the clash of class and the struggle for acceptance in an old society. The author’s vivid depiction of their growing bond in the chaos of war is bold, touching, and gripping, making it a great read not only for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ themes but also for any reader who loves historical settings. The detailed backdrop and heartfelt character dynamics make this first book in the Babanango trilogy truly memorable. I would love to read the next books in the series.
June 29, 2024
☆Historical Queer Romance ☆
This marvelous historical romance took place in England during the 1870s. Albert and Jack formed a beautiful relationship, and I loved reading their connection unfold! The author wrote such descriptive scenes that it was easy to place myself in the story! The characters displayed tremendous growth, and this book had my complete attention from the very beginning! I highly recommend giving this story a chance!
Thanks so much to Black Coffee Book Tours for the ARC copy!
This marvelous historical romance took place in England during the 1870s. Albert and Jack formed a beautiful relationship, and I loved reading their connection unfold! The author wrote such descriptive scenes that it was easy to place myself in the story! The characters displayed tremendous growth, and this book had my complete attention from the very beginning! I highly recommend giving this story a chance!
Thanks so much to Black Coffee Book Tours for the ARC copy!
April 27, 2024
DJG Palmer has created a compelling and gripping love story in 1870s Zululand. Babanango, A Rougher Task is told through the eyes of Lt. Albert Bond, an impoverished aristocrat who finds himself at the center of a military mission to regain the land for the British. I felt I was in his world – the unforgiving African heat, bugs, rain – at times my skin was crawling. The undercurrent of a simmering love story between Albert and his batman, Jack really drew me in. I highly recommend it!
December 24, 2024
An engaging and excellently written piece of historical fiction, written with authenticity and charm.
Palmer's prose is great, the characters feel vivid and real, and the story is thematically rich and well crafted. The romance here is very tastefully done, and feels genuine to how it may have felt for these characters given the time period and attitudes back then. A Rougher Task is full of emotion, humour, and brilliant storytelling. Highly recommended!
Palmer's prose is great, the characters feel vivid and real, and the story is thematically rich and well crafted. The romance here is very tastefully done, and feels genuine to how it may have felt for these characters given the time period and attitudes back then. A Rougher Task is full of emotion, humour, and brilliant storytelling. Highly recommended!
June 11, 2024
I was given this book to review by the publisher prior to official release.
I'll be upfront in saying that historical queer fiction is not my usual cup of tea and I went into reading this with very little idea as to the time period or the how the British army functioned.
What I found was a greatly detailed writing style that allowed me to immerse myself in 1870s England, with carefully thought out characters who are believable and fit well with the feeling of the time. The story is careful to develop the main characters, along with the cast of supporting ones to craft a vivid world in which they live.
The main characters that we follow are Lt Albert (Bert) Bond, an young gentleman that is focused on what he has to do to be a successful man and fit in with society; have a successful business, join the army and then someday get married. Then there is young sapper Jack Coleman, who becomes Bond's batsman. Jack never thought he'd amount to anything coming from the streets of Chatham. In their meeting they start to develop an attraction towards each other than neither expected.
This is definitely a slow burn romance and if you're looking for a quick and rough m/m army romance or something overtly sweet and sugary, then honestly this isn't it. The description of the looks they give each other and their first kiss shows that these are men who are new to not just each other but also that this is the first time they recognise the feelings that they harbour.
I think what the author has done especially well in, is giving a true sense of what it might have been like to be a queer male in the late 1800's, there wasn't any awareness, no "gay identity", it was all very hush hush and men were expected to study, go to work, raise a family and continue the family name even if they were unhappy and didn't understand why.
I learnt a lot in reading this book and I'm actually looking forward to the other books in this historical, war-time, queer romance series.
Ways to describe this book - queer, romance, slow burn, 1800s, Africa, War, Zululand, British Army
I'll be upfront in saying that historical queer fiction is not my usual cup of tea and I went into reading this with very little idea as to the time period or the how the British army functioned.
What I found was a greatly detailed writing style that allowed me to immerse myself in 1870s England, with carefully thought out characters who are believable and fit well with the feeling of the time. The story is careful to develop the main characters, along with the cast of supporting ones to craft a vivid world in which they live.
The main characters that we follow are Lt Albert (Bert) Bond, an young gentleman that is focused on what he has to do to be a successful man and fit in with society; have a successful business, join the army and then someday get married. Then there is young sapper Jack Coleman, who becomes Bond's batsman. Jack never thought he'd amount to anything coming from the streets of Chatham. In their meeting they start to develop an attraction towards each other than neither expected.
This is definitely a slow burn romance and if you're looking for a quick and rough m/m army romance or something overtly sweet and sugary, then honestly this isn't it. The description of the looks they give each other and their first kiss shows that these are men who are new to not just each other but also that this is the first time they recognise the feelings that they harbour.
I think what the author has done especially well in, is giving a true sense of what it might have been like to be a queer male in the late 1800's, there wasn't any awareness, no "gay identity", it was all very hush hush and men were expected to study, go to work, raise a family and continue the family name even if they were unhappy and didn't understand why.
I learnt a lot in reading this book and I'm actually looking forward to the other books in this historical, war-time, queer romance series.
Ways to describe this book - queer, romance, slow burn, 1800s, Africa, War, Zululand, British Army
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews