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AFGHANI
Discover AFGHANI, a powerful journey across time where two worlds collide in unexpected ways. When young Australian soldier Patterson finds himself thrust into the chaos of modern Afghanistan, he never imagines how deeply his story mirrors that of George Sher Gul, an Afghan cameleer who braved Australia’s unforgiving outback a century earlier.
This isn’t just another war novel. Through Patterson’s eyes, you’ll experience the raw, unfiltered reality of Australia’s longest military engagement—where idealism crumbles against the harsh landscape of conflict and corruption. Meanwhile, travel back to 19th century Australia where Sher Gul navigates the complex terrain of a new country still defining itself, bringing his essential skills to a land that both needs and rejects him.
I’m a goddamned Cameleer, and there’s nothing more to it! Sher Gul’s powerful declaration echoes across generations, reminding us of the forgotten pioneers who helped build Australia while facing the bitter sting of exclusion under White Australia policies.
Between breathtaking descriptions of Afghanistan’s demonic and razor-sharp craggy edges and the sun-scorched Australian outback, Brendon Patrick weaves a tale that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about both nations’ shared history.
As a retired Australian soldier and veteran of Afghanistan who also descends from the very Afghan Muslim Cameleers he writes about, which brings an unparalleled authenticity to this narrative. His unique perspective bridges cultures and centuries, revealing how war leaves its mark on souls across time and how resilience shines even in humanity’s darkest moments.
Perfect for readers who crave historical fiction with contemporary relevance, AFGHANI challenges, enlightens, and ultimately reminds us that the stories we forget are often the ones we most need to remember.
This isn’t just another war novel. Through Patterson’s eyes, you’ll experience the raw, unfiltered reality of Australia’s longest military engagement—where idealism crumbles against the harsh landscape of conflict and corruption. Meanwhile, travel back to 19th century Australia where Sher Gul navigates the complex terrain of a new country still defining itself, bringing his essential skills to a land that both needs and rejects him.
I’m a goddamned Cameleer, and there’s nothing more to it! Sher Gul’s powerful declaration echoes across generations, reminding us of the forgotten pioneers who helped build Australia while facing the bitter sting of exclusion under White Australia policies.
Between breathtaking descriptions of Afghanistan’s demonic and razor-sharp craggy edges and the sun-scorched Australian outback, Brendon Patrick weaves a tale that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about both nations’ shared history.
As a retired Australian soldier and veteran of Afghanistan who also descends from the very Afghan Muslim Cameleers he writes about, which brings an unparalleled authenticity to this narrative. His unique perspective bridges cultures and centuries, revealing how war leaves its mark on souls across time and how resilience shines even in humanity’s darkest moments.
Perfect for readers who crave historical fiction with contemporary relevance, AFGHANI challenges, enlightens, and ultimately reminds us that the stories we forget are often the ones we most need to remember.
434 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2025
32 people want to read
About the author
Brendon Patrick
2 books39 followersBrendon Patrick is an emerging voice in historical fiction, drawing upon his experiences as a veteran of the Australian Army and his heritage as a descendant of Afghan Cameleers. His debut novel: Afghani explores the untold stories of Australia’s multicultural past.
Based in Brisbane, Brendon is a self-taught writer who founded Bulldog Self Publishing to bring authentic Australian stories to readers. When not writing, he can be found spending time with his beloved bulldogs and advocating for diverse voices in literature.
Based in Brisbane, Brendon is a self-taught writer who founded Bulldog Self Publishing to bring authentic Australian stories to readers. When not writing, he can be found spending time with his beloved bulldogs and advocating for diverse voices in literature.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 1, 2025
I have little doubt that this author did a great deal of research and presented a unique experience. We are shown the experiences of an Australian soldier fighting in post 9/11 Afghanistan. The level of detail is mind boggling. At the end of the day, this book was not for me, although that doesn't mean it is not worth reading for others. I thought, perhaps incorrectly, that I was getting a more personal take of the experience of war by someone who is Australian, versus what the was like, hoping perhaps for something like Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried.
Aside from the book not being my kind of novel, while the level of detail was fascinating and no doubt accurate, the book had many subtitles, which was distracting, especially in a work of fiction (and difficult to navigate on a Kindle).
I do think there was most likely decent character development. BUT, it got a little lost in the minutia of details about what was happening. I almost think, based upon what I have read about the book is that the author is perhaps so closed to the subject and the experience that this may have stood in his way of writing a work of fiction based upon it. There was a very non-fiction feel to it, which is not necessarily bad but is not what most readers look for in a work of fiction. In addition, the timelines were a bit confusing.
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
Aside from the book not being my kind of novel, while the level of detail was fascinating and no doubt accurate, the book had many subtitles, which was distracting, especially in a work of fiction (and difficult to navigate on a Kindle).
I do think there was most likely decent character development. BUT, it got a little lost in the minutia of details about what was happening. I almost think, based upon what I have read about the book is that the author is perhaps so closed to the subject and the experience that this may have stood in his way of writing a work of fiction based upon it. There was a very non-fiction feel to it, which is not necessarily bad but is not what most readers look for in a work of fiction. In addition, the timelines were a bit confusing.
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
November 28, 2025
This book is a lovely read. I wasn't expecting the 2 very different intersecting timeliness but they made the story. I admit to hating the way it was ended with the author's history & connection but no resolution to the lead characters.
December 1, 2025
What a great book to read that shows the interconnectedness of lives over time. Had few expectations before I started this book, it looked like a good read and was interested in broadening my knowledge of that part of the world. The author did not disappoint - he showed a depth of knowledge of both Australia and Afghanistan and how his two central figures fared in foreign lands. The author doesn't reveal how the characters are interconnected until the end of the book - the story builds as each character finds meaning in what they do and wonder if what they do really does have meaning in the big scheme of life. The author does an excellent job of showing the boredom and monotony that is modern warfare with its hurry up and wait attitude, intermixed with moments of pure terror when action is seen. The author uses footnotes to explain unfamiliar terms or ideas - reminded me of reading War and Peace, really helped me understand terms that are not common in my particular county. Did receive a free copy of the book from The Niche Reader to read - highly recommend the book to anyone that wants to learn more about two separate but somewhat similar countries.
November 28, 2025
Brendon Patrick does a brilliant job weaving together a modern-day Australian soldier’s experience in Afghanistan with an early-twentieth century Afghan cameleer’s experience in Australia. The parallels and contrasts of the men’s lives were striking: as one travels halfway around the world in the most modern modes of air transportation the other travels halfway around the world in the opposite direction on camelback and steamship. Each finds the world they land in perplexing, exciting, and, at times, not particularly safe or welcoming. I thoroughly enjoyed Afghani, both for the thought-provoking history dropped in at opportune spots and the engaging young men whose lives we follow. The twist towards the end was much appreciated too. Highly recommended to readers of Australian – and Afghan – history past and present.
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
P.S. to readers who wonder where the quotation marks are: The way Brendon writes, with all dialogue firmly in context, you won’t even notice they aren’t there after the first page or two.
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
P.S. to readers who wonder where the quotation marks are: The way Brendon writes, with all dialogue firmly in context, you won’t even notice they aren’t there after the first page or two.
October 30, 2025
worth the read!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews