The Bantams is Sheffield's second oldest novel, telling the tales of Sheffielders in the 19th century: their loves, rivalries, and struggles. The characters jump to life on the page: the author allowing them to use their own rich language rather than forcing them to adopt standard English. It is the first novel to include Sheffield dialect. It is romantic in places, in the style of many Victorian novels, humorous, and moving. Anyone familiar with Sheffield will enjoy the references to places we all know and love, and the way Balguy creates atmosphere.