HIDDEN CONFLICT presents four novellas that tell the experiences of gay military men, their families and friends, during times of conflict and war. Each story presents a unique voice at a distinct time in history. BLESSED ISLE by Alex Beecroft (1790 British Age of Sail) Blessed Isle is the long-lost diary of Captain Harry Thompson, recently discovered in a dusty safe deposit box and faithfully reproduced in Hidden Conflict. Thompson wrote his diary entries at night and in the morning, his lover and former lieutenant, Garnet Littleton, would add his thoughts and commentary. Thus, Blessed Isle is a dialog between the two men, telling the story of the ill-fated voyage of the HMS Banshee, its mutiny, their escape, and ultimately, how they overcame all odds to build a life together in Rio de Janeiro. NOT TO REASON WHY by Mark R. Probst (1876 US Cavalry) Corporal Brett Price is tired of being a soldier, tired of endless expeditions against the Lakota and Sioux, and tired of hiding his deep love for his friend and sergeant, Dermot Kerrigan. Unfortunately, as a member of the 7th Cavalry stationed at Fort Lincoln, North Dakota, there is little he can do to change his present situation; his love for Dermot is particularly distressing because Dermot is married and devoted to his wife, Sarah. Their commanding officer, Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer, has been relentless in rounding up the various Native American tribes of the western plains and forcing them off their lands to designated reservations. These battles between love and loyalty, duty and honor, with one of the most horrific battles ever fought on American soil as its backdrop, is the story that is told in Not to Reason Why. NO DARKNESS by Jordan Taylor (1915 World War I Britain and France) When Lieutenant Darnell and Private Fisher are trapped in a root cellar after being shelled behind the trenches on the Western Front, they struggle to survive and escape their black tomb. Strangers to one another, the days and nights underground in pitch darkness bring them together as they share stories of their upbringing. While their lives hang in the balance, they find refuge through the growing bond between them that neither expected. OUR ONE AND ONLY by E.N. Holland (1944 US World War II and aftermath) What happens when one must grieve in private? That is what Philip Cormier is forced to do when his closest friend and lover, Eddie Fiske, is killed in France during the second round of D-Day in September 1944. The story covers a forty year arc, told in decade-long intervals, that chronicle Philip's loss, his life without Eddie, and ultimately, the acceptance and resolution of his grief. Most importantly, it demonstrates the healing power of love that can be found in unexpected places and ways.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A terrific quartet of beautifully realized stories exploring hidden loves and secret desires, set against backdrops of war and violence. And, as the blurb says, each told in unique voices.
Mark R. Probst's NOT TO REASON WHY is set in 1876, on the eve of the massacre at Little Big Horn. Corporal Brett Price and his best friend, Sergeant Dermot Kerrigan are both a part of Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry as it rides to a fateful rendezvous with rebellious Sioux forces. Brett is in love with the happily married Dermot, but the hardships of their journey bring them even closer together, until finally Brett confesses his love and is rewarded with a single kiss before they engage in one of the most grisly battles in American history. There's not much suspense, since we all know where this is headed, but Probst compensates with vivid descriptions and apt dialogue: "Haven't you ever noticed," Brett muses, "how these things are reported in the newspapers? When we win they say it`s a victory, but when they win they say it`s a massacre?" The battle scenes are horrific indeed, but even more painful is the picture the author paints of Brett's not altogether requited love. Yes, he and Dermot are best friends. Yes, Brett gets a kiss, just one. And, yes, Dermot loves Brett too, but not in the same way. A loving friendship may be harder to endure than the absence of love altogether. A little love is like an arrow to the heart of one who pines.
The two men in Jordan Taylor's NO DARKNESS don't even progress to the kiss, though their awareness of the possibility, and ours, is palpable. The setting here is 1915, during World War I, on the Western Front. In a tale worthy of Poe, an enemy shelling leaves Lieutenant Darnell and Private Fisher trapped and injured in the root cellar of a farmhouse. Injured and struggling to survive their stygian tomb, they two men pass the time exchanging stories of their upbringing and trying, with almost certain futility, to find some means of escape. Here the theme of love is poignant and muted. A growing closeness suggests the possibility of physical sharing, but their backgrounds and their injuries - and ultimately the military conflict - conspire against it. The possibility of their love is smothered in darkness. Excellent characterizations.
E. N. Holland's OUR ONE AND ONLY begins in 1944, with World War II, but spans forty years and is told in decade long segments. Here it is not only the love between Eddie Fiske and Philip Cormier that is hidden, but more tellingly, the pain that Philip must endure alone when Eddie is killed in battle. Philip carries his memories of Eddie in his heart until at length he finds the one person with whom he can share it. Despite the tone of gravity throughout, the story ends on a surprisingly upbeat and very satisfying note. Here, plot triumphs over character, but the result is a beautifully encapsulated story of one man's lonely life and a loss that informs it decade after decade. How difficult it is to shut everyone, even those closest to us, out of our hearts. And how little those in our lives really know us, though they may believe that they know us well. The author clearly understands the burden of pain long borne.
I finished Alex Beecroft's BLESSED ISLE (set in 1790, the British Age of Sail) convinced that she is some kind of sea witch, who had kept me in thrall from the first word onward. Although hers is the first story chronologically in the book, I've saved it till last because, notwithstanding the uniformly excellent work from the other contributors, I personally feel this one is the jewel in a very splendid crown.
I don't want to spoil a convoluted story by giving away too many of the details, but as just one example, a storm at sea is evoked with such splendid terror I felt as lashed by the wind and the rain and as sour with fear as the hapless sailors. Scarcely less stormy is the love that gradually develops between. Harry Thompson, Captain of The Banshee, and his Lieutenant, Garnet Littleton, both of them brilliantly evoked. The author uses the conceit of alternating entries in a journal, thus allowing herself the intimacy of a first person point of view, and the elbow room of a second POV as well.
Let it be said her story is not without its faults. A penchant for historical accuracy veers dangerously close a time or two to pedantry. And I feel downright churlish in mentioning the sometimes less than seaworthy plot. Like an old tub set adrift, it bobbles and weaves and leaks, and threatens a time or two to sink under the weight of its own contrivance. I should also add, however, that this is not unlike those 18th and 19th century novels of which the author is obviously a fan. Happily, her splendid prose is an ocean wind that blows everything before it, in the end bringing our vessel to the safety of the harbor. There are simply very few writers in any genre who can write this well.
I recommend this anthology heartily, and Blessed Isle with special enthusiasm, if only so that readers can see with what power words can be wielded.
Mark R. Probst's NOT TO REASON WHY is set in 1876, on the eve of the massacre at Little Big Horn. Corporal Brett Price and his best friend, Sergeant Dermot Kerrigan are both a part of Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry as it rides to a fateful rendezvous with rebellious Sioux forces. Brett is in love with the happily married Dermot, but the hardships of their journey bring them even closer together, until finally Brett confesses his love and is rewarded with a single kiss before they engage in one of the most grisly battles in American history. There's not much suspense, since we all know where this is headed, but Probst compensates with vivid descriptions and apt dialogue: "Haven't you ever noticed," Brett muses, "how these things are reported in the newspapers? When we win they say it`s a victory, but when they win they say it`s a massacre?" The battle scenes are horrific indeed, but even more painful is the picture the author paints of Brett's not altogether requited love. Yes, he and Dermot are best friends. Yes, Brett gets a kiss, just one. And, yes, Dermot loves Brett too, but not in the same way. A loving friendship may be harder to endure than the absence of love altogether. A little love is like an arrow to the heart of one who pines.
The two men in Jordan Taylor's NO DARKNESS don't even progress to the kiss, though their awareness of the possibility, and ours, is palpable. The setting here is 1915, during World War I, on the Western Front. In a tale worthy of Poe, an enemy shelling leaves Lieutenant Darnell and Private Fisher trapped and injured in the root cellar of a farmhouse. Injured and struggling to survive their stygian tomb, they two men pass the time exchanging stories of their upbringing and trying, with almost certain futility, to find some means of escape. Here the theme of love is poignant and muted. A growing closeness suggests the possibility of physical sharing, but their backgrounds and their injuries - and ultimately the military conflict - conspire against it. The possibility of their love is smothered in darkness. Excellent characterizations.
E. N. Holland's OUR ONE AND ONLY begins in 1944, with World War II, but spans forty years and is told in decade long segments. Here it is not only the love between Eddie Fiske and Philip Cormier that is hidden, but more tellingly, the pain that Philip must endure alone when Eddie is killed in battle. Philip carries his memories of Eddie in his heart until at length he finds the one person with whom he can share it. Despite the tone of gravity throughout, the story ends on a surprisingly upbeat and very satisfying note. Here, plot triumphs over character, but the result is a beautifully encapsulated story of one man's lonely life and a loss that informs it decade after decade. How difficult it is to shut everyone, even those closest to us, out of our hearts. And how little those in our lives really know us, though they may believe that they know us well. The author clearly understands the burden of pain long borne.
I finished Alex Beecroft's BLESSED ISLE (set in 1790, the British Age of Sail) convinced that she is some kind of sea witch, who had kept me in thrall from the first word onward. Although hers is the first story chronologically in the book, I've saved it till last because, notwithstanding the uniformly excellent work from the other contributors, I personally feel this one is the jewel in a very splendid crown.
I don't want to spoil a convoluted story by giving away too many of the details, but as just one example, a storm at sea is evoked with such splendid terror I felt as lashed by the wind and the rain and as sour with fear as the hapless sailors. Scarcely less stormy is the love that gradually develops between. Harry Thompson, Captain of The Banshee, and his Lieutenant, Garnet Littleton, both of them brilliantly evoked. The author uses the conceit of alternating entries in a journal, thus allowing herself the intimacy of a first person point of view, and the elbow room of a second POV as well.
Let it be said her story is not without its faults. A penchant for historical accuracy veers dangerously close a time or two to pedantry. And I feel downright churlish in mentioning the sometimes less than seaworthy plot. Like an old tub set adrift, it bobbles and weaves and leaks, and threatens a time or two to sink under the weight of its own contrivance. I should also add, however, that this is not unlike those 18th and 19th century novels of which the author is obviously a fan. Happily, her splendid prose is an ocean wind that blows everything before it, in the end bringing our vessel to the safety of the harbor. There are simply very few writers in any genre who can write this well.
I recommend this anthology heartily, and Blessed Isle with special enthusiasm, if only so that readers can see with what power words can be wielded.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An intriguing exploration of homosexuality and the military, highly recommended
February 9, 2010
Format:Paperback
Dedication to one's country may not overcome a dedication to one's love. "Hidden Conflict: Tales from Lost Voices in Battle" is a collection of four short novellas focusing on gay men in the military throughout history. A British sea captain faces mutiny with his lover, a corporal of Colonel Custer is torn between doubting his unit's cause, and love he can't have. Two strangers become stuck in the trenches in the Western Front, and find love comes in strange places, and a World War II veteran is faced with a loss he cannot properly grieve. "Hidden Conflict" is an intriguing exploration of homosexuality and the military, highly recommended.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Kassa
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
This is a well-written anthology detailing the lives of military men as they experience love, loss, pain and hope. Each story depicts a point in time, sometimes days or decades, in the life of a gay man set in a historical setting. Some of the stories have a strong thread of romance and others are not romantic at all. There is only one strong happy ending to the collection of stories so this anthology may not appeal to all romance fans. Historical fans will enjoy the tight descriptions and accuracy of the time periods, even if some of these descriptions are graphic and gory. The writing for most of the anthology is solid with few mistakes and good pacing, yet the tone of the stories is dark and intense. This is not light reading and I had to space the stories out as some are almost depressing in their intensity.
The anthology begins with "Blessed Isle" by Alex Beecroft. This is a very classic Age of Sail period piece where the story is told in journal style with heavy talking to the reader. The writing alternates between the two men's point of views as they recall the events that happened from their ill fated first meeting to finding happiness together in Brazil. The story starts in first person present tense from Harry's point of view and is awkward and difficult to get into. The descriptions are overblown with so many color analogies that they blend together and lose the richness of the prose. The formal diction and use of numerous similes stalls the beginning of the story.
However once the point of view switches to the more engaging voice of Garnet, the story picks up significantly. Here the use of first person past tense moves the story quickly while injecting humor and flavor into the writing. The contrasting personalities of the two men become more evident as the superfluous details lessen to focus on the story itself and the men. Even when the story switches back to Harry's point of view, the focus on telling a past story helps keep the pace moving swiftly. The characters are fully drawn and developed, showing the flaws to their person as much as their qualities. Their journey is interesting while staying within the bounds of historical accuracy. The strong thread of romance, love, and equally strong happy ending should satisfy romance fans and especially historical romance fans. Once past the initial chapter, this story was fun to read and engaging with two dynamic men.
The next offering is Mark Probst's "Not to Reason Why." This historical is set against the backdrop of Custer's Last Stand or the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Brett and Dermot are both in the 7th Cavalry and march under Custer's orders to fight the Sioux refusing to stay on reservations. The story sets up the characters and carries them through the last few fateful months before and after the life changing battle. The characters beyond Brett are less developed though each is given life and texture, even Dermot's wife and young solider Daniel. Brett is the main character and his actions are the focus from his affection to Dermot to the battle itself. The secret love and affection Brett holds for the married Dermot is sad, especially considering that emotion is not reciprocated.
The battle scene included in the story is the most graphic and gory of the anthology. While perhaps historically accurate, the tight descriptions, vivid prose, and enthralling voice all create a gripping story amid the bloody violence taking place. The character of Brett in all his charms and flaws shines through in both frustrating and sympathetic ways. The depth of his emotions, pain, loss, and choices are evident and surprising given the shorter length of the story. The novella is not romantic though and has an ambiguous ending. While I enjoyed reading this story and even more so the writing and prose chosen, the tone is very dark. This should appeal easily to history and literature fans.
However the darkest of the anthology is the story from Jordan Taylor called "No Darkness." Here two British soldiers are trapped in a moldy, decaying basement when unexpected shelling drops on the abandoned farmhouse they stopped at. Although the two expect to die in the basement, they comfort each other by sharing stories of their past while working to dig themselves out of the caved in basement. With one of the men gravely injured and the other becoming injured, their story is dark and depressing but is somewhat saved in the strong and evocative writing with crisp prose and descriptions. The characters are well drawn and breathe with life and intensity through their very depressing situation.
The only drawback is that the emotional connection and bond between the men fell flat. While no doubt these men bonded over their shared situation, the personalities of the two men clashed to the point their attempted romance fell short. There is very little romance to the story but there are awkward and clumsy attempts to show the two developing deeper feelings for each other which felt artificial and unreal. The deepest emotion came at the end but even the ending is unsatisfying. The story is engaging and kept me guessing about the fate of the two men but ultimately this is the one story of the anthology I wouldn't read again. The unsatisfying ending combined with the stiff attempts at an absent emotional connection had this well written story falling short for me unfortunately.
Last, but certainly not least, is E.N. Holland's lovely story "Our One and Only." This story chronicles one man's life in the forty years that passes after the death of his young lover in the second round of D-Day. Here Phillip spends his life mostly alone and mourning his dead friend and lover. He maintains a close relationship with the dead Eddie's family and even becomes pen pals with a woman Eddie met in France. The story shows the depths of love and loss and the painful recovery process. The characters are wonderfully drawn and the writing elicits a great deal of emotion from scene to scene. The moving story and lovely descriptions create a sweet melancholy romance.
The ending of Holland's story is not a strong happy ending even though the story is thick with romance and emotion. The ending is one of hope and promise and fitting given the characters and story. The writing is strong and tight with few errors but there is an overuse of italics that jars the reading experience and flow. Other than that, while being the longest story, it read the fastest and was one of the most enjoyable to read even though it is very sad and dark.
Overall this is a great anthology that highlights historical men in the military in realistic and moving ways. Since the collection of stories is so dark and intense, I'd suggest reading them individually rather than the entire anthology at once. Their depth and emotion will not overwhelm then. Either way, this well written collection will appeal to literature fans easily.
The anthology begins with "Blessed Isle" by Alex Beecroft. This is a very classic Age of Sail period piece where the story is told in journal style with heavy talking to the reader. The writing alternates between the two men's point of views as they recall the events that happened from their ill fated first meeting to finding happiness together in Brazil. The story starts in first person present tense from Harry's point of view and is awkward and difficult to get into. The descriptions are overblown with so many color analogies that they blend together and lose the richness of the prose. The formal diction and use of numerous similes stalls the beginning of the story.
However once the point of view switches to the more engaging voice of Garnet, the story picks up significantly. Here the use of first person past tense moves the story quickly while injecting humor and flavor into the writing. The contrasting personalities of the two men become more evident as the superfluous details lessen to focus on the story itself and the men. Even when the story switches back to Harry's point of view, the focus on telling a past story helps keep the pace moving swiftly. The characters are fully drawn and developed, showing the flaws to their person as much as their qualities. Their journey is interesting while staying within the bounds of historical accuracy. The strong thread of romance, love, and equally strong happy ending should satisfy romance fans and especially historical romance fans. Once past the initial chapter, this story was fun to read and engaging with two dynamic men.
The next offering is Mark Probst's "Not to Reason Why." This historical is set against the backdrop of Custer's Last Stand or the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Brett and Dermot are both in the 7th Cavalry and march under Custer's orders to fight the Sioux refusing to stay on reservations. The story sets up the characters and carries them through the last few fateful months before and after the life changing battle. The characters beyond Brett are less developed though each is given life and texture, even Dermot's wife and young solider Daniel. Brett is the main character and his actions are the focus from his affection to Dermot to the battle itself. The secret love and affection Brett holds for the married Dermot is sad, especially considering that emotion is not reciprocated.
The battle scene included in the story is the most graphic and gory of the anthology. While perhaps historically accurate, the tight descriptions, vivid prose, and enthralling voice all create a gripping story amid the bloody violence taking place. The character of Brett in all his charms and flaws shines through in both frustrating and sympathetic ways. The depth of his emotions, pain, loss, and choices are evident and surprising given the shorter length of the story. The novella is not romantic though and has an ambiguous ending. While I enjoyed reading this story and even more so the writing and prose chosen, the tone is very dark. This should appeal easily to history and literature fans.
However the darkest of the anthology is the story from Jordan Taylor called "No Darkness." Here two British soldiers are trapped in a moldy, decaying basement when unexpected shelling drops on the abandoned farmhouse they stopped at. Although the two expect to die in the basement, they comfort each other by sharing stories of their past while working to dig themselves out of the caved in basement. With one of the men gravely injured and the other becoming injured, their story is dark and depressing but is somewhat saved in the strong and evocative writing with crisp prose and descriptions. The characters are well drawn and breathe with life and intensity through their very depressing situation.
The only drawback is that the emotional connection and bond between the men fell flat. While no doubt these men bonded over their shared situation, the personalities of the two men clashed to the point their attempted romance fell short. There is very little romance to the story but there are awkward and clumsy attempts to show the two developing deeper feelings for each other which felt artificial and unreal. The deepest emotion came at the end but even the ending is unsatisfying. The story is engaging and kept me guessing about the fate of the two men but ultimately this is the one story of the anthology I wouldn't read again. The unsatisfying ending combined with the stiff attempts at an absent emotional connection had this well written story falling short for me unfortunately.
Last, but certainly not least, is E.N. Holland's lovely story "Our One and Only." This story chronicles one man's life in the forty years that passes after the death of his young lover in the second round of D-Day. Here Phillip spends his life mostly alone and mourning his dead friend and lover. He maintains a close relationship with the dead Eddie's family and even becomes pen pals with a woman Eddie met in France. The story shows the depths of love and loss and the painful recovery process. The characters are wonderfully drawn and the writing elicits a great deal of emotion from scene to scene. The moving story and lovely descriptions create a sweet melancholy romance.
The ending of Holland's story is not a strong happy ending even though the story is thick with romance and emotion. The ending is one of hope and promise and fitting given the characters and story. The writing is strong and tight with few errors but there is an overuse of italics that jars the reading experience and flow. Other than that, while being the longest story, it read the fastest and was one of the most enjoyable to read even though it is very sad and dark.
Overall this is a great anthology that highlights historical men in the military in realistic and moving ways. Since the collection of stories is so dark and intense, I'd suggest reading them individually rather than the entire anthology at once. Their depth and emotion will not overwhelm then. Either way, this well written collection will appeal to literature fans easily.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Check Your Preconceptions At The Door
Hidden Conflict is a collection of four historical novellas chronicling the lives of closeted gay military men. Read more
Published on August 7, 2010 by Blake Fraina
5.0 out of 5 stars
Captivating and Moving
I found this book captivating and moving. I blazed through all four stories in a matter of hours drawn in by the characters, varied settings and all to familiar emotions portrayed. Read more
Published on January 14, 2010 by Bruce
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous book!
At last, these soldiers stories will be honored! What beautiful stories, too! Hidden Conflict: Tales from Lost Voices in Battle,is a brilliant collection of four stories of... Read more
Published on November 9, 2009 by L. Craig
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