The Butch Manual by Clark Henley is a witty, subversive, and gloriously camp handbook that turns masculinity into both art and satire. Framed like a retro self-help or fashion guide, it walks readers through the performance of “butchness” — from the perfect stance and swagger to wardrobe choices and conversational cool. But beneath the humor and stylized presentation lies a sharp critique of gender roles and the absurd expectations tied to them. Henley’s tongue-in-cheek tone exposes how identity and presentation are crafted, performed, and sometimes exaggerated for survival or style. Equal parts parody and empowerment, The Butch Manual is a cult classic of queer expression — bold, hilarious, and decades ahead of its time.
