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M.J. Buckman
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Bent Is Not Broken: a fag hag’s collection of personal and social histories Kindle Edition

by M.J. Buckman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 11 ratings
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*** WINNER OF THE 2023 QUEER INDIE AWARD FOR BEST NON-FICTION ***

‘The struggles I had coming to terms with my mental health issues mirror the struggles that some LGBT+ people have in accepting themselves.’

In the 1980s, M.J. thrived in London’s gay subculture. Being a fag hag was fun, exciting, and all-consuming. But, amongst all her ‘bent’ friends trying to find themselves, was she losing herself instead?

Now turning sixty, M.J. looks back on that time and the journey she has taken to have a stronger and healthier relationship with herself. Through interviews with LGBT+ people of all ages, she explores the pain of being on the outside and the wonder of finding your tribe.

Blending these personal histories with a deep exploration of how society has represented LGBT+ people throughout history, M.J. creates an uplifting and impassioned book about accepting ourselves and each other.
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  1. Print length
    361 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 2023
  5. File size
    4151 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CJ9P148G
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ UpLit Press (November 1, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4151 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 361 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B0CKYWKJ96
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 11 ratings

About the author

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M.J. Buckman

M.J. Buckman

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M.J. Buckman spent her young years in a mediocre town in the south east of England, living a mediocre life. She began to yearn for a life less ordinary and found it with her gay friends, before leaving for the bright lights of London to study.

While busy bringing up two sons, working in the not-for-profit sector, and loving the London life, Em developed a deep awareness of her privilege. She always wanted to write a book, but never seemed to find the right time, or the right subject.

After moving to the south coast to retire, she finally got round to it, and "Bent" is the result.

Em lives with her unbelievably tolerant husband, her anxious as anything little dog and her cool as anything big cat.

Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
11 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Wendy Dennis
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent story and resource for understanding LGBT+ and mental health issues
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2024
Verified Purchase
Bent is Not Broken is important on many levels. Fundamentally, it is a personal memoir told in a way relatable to many. There is a good chance that, if you are in a place where doing some work to improve your mental health would be helpful, the author’s personal story may well resonate with and encourage you.
However, the key takeaway is that being gay (and/or having mental health issues) does not make a person “broken,” evil, bizarre, or, most importantly, not worthy of rights and respect. The book includes the stories of 24 LGBTQ people of various ages and gender identities who, each in their own way, have learned to survive in a hostile society. The author does this within a thorough historical context that makes clear that LGBT+ people have always been at the end of the equal opportunity and protection train.
M. J. Buckman not only tells a compelling story that includes the experiences of many souls. This book also provides an excellent resource for all who want to better understand the issues that people who are often considered “other” face on a daily basis, as well as how their rights, or lack thereof, are reflected in past and present laws. And, to top it off, it is a well-written and satisfying read.
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Ann
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing read!
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2024
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How you mixed the two of the LBGTQ+ and your own mental health experiences was an eye-opener for me. I can truly relate to your issues as I suffered mental illness my whole life not knowing it was a condition. Thank you for this book. You make a difference.
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Top reviews from other countries

Lilywaterbug
5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2024
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Em, you got me on the title of your book! I hadn’t heard this terminology term since the 1980s and was instantly intrigued and eager to read.
It is an entirely honest, brave and compassionate account of Ems personal relationships with the LGBT community in the eighties, expertly intertwined with detailed historical research and insightful, often deeply moving interviews. A valuable and essential read, not only for a wider understanding of the human struggle for acceptance, but also a celebration of resilience.
2 people found this helpful
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Ultraviolet
5.0 out of 5 stars A unique, warm and witty, supportive account.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2024
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This book has a well structured mix of personal experience and wider research. It has clearly been put together with great courage; there are some deeply painful true life recollections and it is a powerful reminder of how much has been achieved. It comes at a poignant time as many prejudices are sadly and shamefully on the rise again. The historical and cultural context in which so many narrow beliefs are deconstructed is a steadying guide and mainstay for those who wonder how to put together a truly effective, factually backed up rebuttal. There is also plenty of joy and humour, tenderness, compassion and love for all of the people who have been part of the author's often traumatic story; forgiveness and understanding in abundance despite the lack of it shown to her. Intersecting categories of marginalisation are addressed with full honesty about the author's privilege as an ally; the personal experience of mental ill health is shared with candour and hope. The writing is accessible, immensely readable and vividly evokes decades of societal change. I truly enjoyed and was moved by this book.
One person found this helpful
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Hayse
5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional, humorous and insightful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 20, 2024
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A great read. A clever mix of LGBT history and personal experiences. MJ Buckman writes with emotion and humour. Highly recommend.
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Clare
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and thought-provoking
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2023
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This book is a thoughtful and thought-provoking delve into growing up and examines difference in many of its forms. The author blends her own life story with that of her friends skillfully and empathetically. She weaves in a social history of the LGBT+ community including the use of language which I found fascinating. The book is very well written and easy to read (even though some of the events depicted are traumatic) and would be helpful for anyone struggling to accept who they are (which is a lot of us I suspect!). Bravo!
2 people found this helpful
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Claire Hobart
5.0 out of 5 stars Really great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2023
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I am really enjoying reading this autobiography/exploration of LGBT+ issues. The research is clearly thorough but discussed in an accessible way. It puts me in mind of TRacey Thorn’s Another Planet and Bedsit Disco Queen
2 people found this helpful
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