From the author of BETWEEN THE STOPS and TOKSVIG'S ALMANAC

'Teasing out untold stories of the battlefield . . . follows the footsteps of the likes of Sarah Waters and Pat Barker' Independent

London, 1897. 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 . . .

From one of the nation's best-loved writers and performers comes a wonderful novel about a spirited young girl who goes to war as a young man

About the Author
Sandi Toksvig was born in Denmark, brought up in Africa, then America and moved to the UK when she was fourteen. She has been on British stage, screen and radio for over forty years and was awarded an OBE for Services to Broadcasting. She is the mother of three children, married and lives in London.

Reviews
Toksvig's warm characterisation drives the narrative, especially when set against her droll yet richly detailed evocation of an unedifying period of modern history . . . Toksvig's shining creation, Valentine Grey, [is] a courageous and captivating character . . . begging for a sequel -- Lucy Beresford * Sunday Telegraph *
Teasing out untold stories of the battlefield and of gay history . . . follows in the footsteps of the likes of Sarah Waters and Pat Barker . . . Toksvig's seemingly effortless ability to entertain shines through -- Lucy Scholes * Independent *


Awards
Long-listed for Green Carnation Prize 2012 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781844088331
Author Sandi Toksvig
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint Virago Press Ltd
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 245g
Dimensions(mm) 124mm * 198mm * 23mm