Bent is a devastating and deeply human story that lingers long after you finish it, and this release feels less like a new experience and more like a powerful reminder of just how heavy and necessary it is. Martin Sherman doesn’t pull away from the brutality of its setting during the Holocaust, but what resonates most is the fragile, defiant love at its core and the way identity is both suppressed and reclaimed. Revisiting it brings a renewed appreciation for its emotional weight and the quiet moments of connection that cut through the darkness, making it feel just as urgent and heartbreaking as ever.

Bent by Martin Sherman is an unflinching look at identity and the impact of the Third Reich on the LGBTQ+ community in 1930s Berlin. This gut-wrenching play feels more timely than ever given the current state of affairs for marginalized communities during the rise of Christian Nationalism in the States. Bent follows our main character, Max, as he escapes Berlin with his boyfriend, only to be arrested in the countryside and taken to Dachau. I don't want to spoil any major plot beats, but this is a brutal but crucially important read due to the subject matter. I would love to see this performed live someday after reading it, once I emotionally recover.

With an excellent foreword by Sally Mears that provides further context for the play, this is an excellent edition and not one to miss. Thank you to NetGalley and Amber Lane Press for providing me with an ARC for review.