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Max Austin
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How Can We Be Wrong?: A bio-fictional LGBTQIA+ memoir (The Dolly Diaries Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Max Austin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 25 ratings

Max is a gay nurse. This gut-wrenching story describes his experiences of being prescribed an almost lethal mixture of bullying, bigotry and rejection from the very nursing community he represents today. Sadly, being a nurse does not come with an invisible shield. This story is a personal account of the good, the bad, and the dam right ugly of NHS staff. There is truthfulness, humour, and lessons for us all. And yet the underbelly of stigma is not watered down; it is there without sentimentality.

This story parallels the social, political, and personal impact of ‘coming out’ within the early 1990s. It describes Max’s experiences of working within the health service following the aftermath of Section 28 and the HIV/Aids era. The story shows that everyone in their way can overcome the badness that life throws at them. Where there is adversity, there can be hope. Where there is desperation, there can be strength. Where there is pain, there can be healing.

Max’s thirty-year story hopes to give a voice to the silenced. In his mission to ‘walk the walk’ of inclusion, he offers a taste of his husband and his experiences of adopting two children.

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  1. Book 1 of 2
    The Dolly Diaries
  2. Print length
    244 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    March 23, 2024
  5. Reading age
    16 - 18 years
  6. File size
    7.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CQDYJPFT
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Spectrum Books (March 23, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 23, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 7.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 244 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 25 ratings

About the author

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Max Austin

Max Austin

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I have many passions in my life; my husband, my two children, my writing and my work as a nurse. Oh, and not to forget the family dog of course! I live with my husband, two children and dog in a rather busy but fun-filled household in the United Kingdom. I have worked as an authentic qualified nurse for over thirty years.

Through my writing and lived experiences, I want to give a voice to silenced and marginalised LBGTQIA+ groups. I am humbled that my voice has found a home within Spectrum Books. I have also been a keynote speaker at LBGTQIA+ inclusion conferences. For me, kind inclusiveness in health care and indeed our broader society is as vital as breathing.

When not working as a nurse or writing, I love nothing more than spending time with my children and husband. Most weekends, we can be found covered in mud whilst being led through the park by our rather boisterous but friendly black Labrador

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
25 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Vincent M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly Unique Voice
    Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2024
    When I saw the designated genre for How Can We Be Wrong?, bio-fictional memoir, I had the feeling I was in for something new. I had no idea. Not only was this a new genre for me, but the book was also written in a style unlike anything I’ve read before. Max Austin’s voice is wonderfully unique, at times astounding the reader with vivid character and scene descriptions, and at others, punching us in the gut with pain of life. But through it all, there is a story of survival and hope. Mixed in with the pathos, and equally poignant, is a biting sense of humor (or humour as they say across the pond).
    Max, a nurse at an NHS hospital in England, takes us by the hand, and at times at break-neck speed, leads us on an emotional romp through the halls and inner workings of the healthcare system, not to mention the deepest thoughts and feelings of the people who work there. The caste of flawed but deeply human characters rivals a Dostoevsky novel. As a gay healthcare worker, and later a nurse and administrator, Max and his peers encounter strong prejudice against the LGBTQ community at a time when panic about AIDS was rampant. Even the concept of a man working as a nurse was suspect. In addition to these challenges, he suffers terrible loss and trauma. Despite the odds, he survives and is influential in turning things around so that diversity in the healthcare system is celebrated. Here is a quote that sums up both Max’s journey and his biting wit. “A million memories flooded my mind as I slowly sauntered through the revolving doors of her grand Victorian entrance. She was still as beautiful as the day that I had first clapped my eyes on her. But now I knew her well. She was capable of delivering both great kindness and great cruelty within the blink of her powdered eye.”
    I highly recommend this book. At times, it is not an easy read due the emotional content, the descriptions of pain and suffering, and a style that jumps around in time, place, and point of view. But the reward for the reader is well worth the effort.
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  • D
    5.0 out of 5 stars HCWBW is a bio-fictional, LGBTQ+ memoir
    Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2024
    HCWBW is a bio-fictional, LGBTQ+ memoir. It follows the career of nurse, Max, from first training to ward manager. As you’d expect, it’s quite a journey!

    At the risk of making the author feel old, this rather felt like a ‘period’ book. The nineties were only thirty years ago, but it shows how much has changed for the queer community in that time. The celebration of community, along with challenges such as discrimination and the AIDS pandemic, all hit hard while reading. For every up there was a heart-breaking moment that hit to the reality of queer life. Some of these moments come down so suddenly (as reality does) I had to put the book down for a minute to wrap my head around it. (I’ve also never read a more accurate depiction of moving to London!)

    The book has a lot of characters and while it was sometimes hard to keep up, it does reflect frantic life in a hospital. So many zanie, bright and, sometimes, despicable people come and go, which make the story feel authentic. One thing I loved was the bawdy, old-style humour. While I normally cringe at these jokes, they are so often paired with a moment of total awkwardness with at least one of the characters, so that (personal) cringe just brought me more into the moment. It’s also an important reminder that this is how the world saw the queer community at this time. Any gay character on TV or in movies at the time always played the clown!

    A criticism I will give is that the perspective sometimes swaps away from Max to another character, without prior warning. While I appreciate getting different sides to certain storylines, this did make these sections a little hard to follow as there was no lead in.

    This book shows the struggles of the NHS, the queer community and the importance of strong friendships. Three things we need now more than ever before! Thank you for sharing your story ❤️
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  • Nicky d'
    5.0 out of 5 stars For fans of Shuggie Bain
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2024
    Max Austin in HOW CAN WE BE WRONG? takes the reader with him on his real-life journey from little in life up into love and professional success. It's a bumpy ride, far from always onward and upward. He is born into a gritty working class existence in England, comes out as a Gay man and faces the backlash and terror Gay men experienced during the heights of the AIDS epidemic, progresses step by step from hospital room cleaner to supervising nurse, finds love and loses it and finds it again. We aren't spared any details, nor should we be. This is a life lived and often the life for most of us, minus often the success and too often the love. It's amazing at the book's end to realize where Max is today with career, husband, children, dogs, and a happy home, given the low point at which he began and the trials he's endured and we've felt with him. I'm amazingly happy for him. For fans of SHUGGIE BAIN. Naturalism with a happy ending.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful masterpiece!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Wow what an incredible read. I couldn't put this book down. This book took me on an amazing journey of emotion from laughing out loud to tears running down my face. A beautifully written book with characters described so well I can see them as clear as day. Can't wait to read more from Max Austin I need my friends back!
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  • Scrivens family
    5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    An inspiring account about overcoming the odds, resilience, fortitude and courage. Candidly written with accessibility and inclusivity at its heart. Amazing read ! Would highly recommend.
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  • Kazza
    5.0 out of 5 stars Be prepared to be shocked, amazed and humbled, in equal measures.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A truly frank, honest story that makes you re-read paragraphs to make sure you read it correct. Whilst the author’s life has been very colourful, you get a glimpse into the lives of other key characters, who would probs ly qualify for a book in their own right.
    An absolute page turner which remains in the memory for a very long time!
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A well written, detailed must read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I'm not even halfway through this book, and I am so in awe of Max. The life he has lived and created for him self. The memories he's shared have brought me to tears through both heartbreak, joy and admiration.
    Max has opened my eyes to how tough the LGBT community really had, let alone being a nurse in them days. The bio-fiction he has written is so in-depth, detailed, and so well written that, as the reader, you can really picture the scene in your mind.
    Really hoping there is more of Max's life story to share. Well done, Max, for picking yourself up, dusting yourself off and finding a voice for others.
    Customer image
    Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    A well written, detailed must read

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 19, 2024
    I'm not even halfway through this book, and I am so in awe of Max. The life he has lived and created for him self. The memories he's shared have brought me to tears through both heartbreak, joy and admiration.
    Max has opened my eyes to how tough the LGBT community really had, let alone being a nurse in them days. The bio-fiction he has written is so in-depth, detailed, and so well written that, as the reader, you can really picture the scene in your mind.
    Really hoping there is more of Max's life story to share. Well done, Max, for picking yourself up, dusting yourself off and finding a voice for others.
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  • Graham
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book - How Can We Be Wrong?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Wow! What a rollercoaster of a read, it has you hooked from start to finish. With breath taking honesty, author Max Austin takes you on a very personal and emotional journey of his life experiences working for the NHS for over 30 years as a gay nurse. At times I laughed out loud as his sense of humour shone through the pages but some chapters brought tears to my eyes at the ignorance and bigotry he, and probably many others have endured because of their sexuality, but Max is a survivor and the last chapter in particular is extremely thought provoking and is testament to Max’s determination to make a difference. What a read. I truly hope that there’s a second book in the pipeline as I for one can’t wait to read it!
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