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Lockpick Pornography #1 and 2
The Complete Lockpick Pornography
Combining two stories into one volume, this collection explores the effects of prejudice and the ramifications of violence with a slightly unhinged sense of humor and unexpected tenderness. Lockpick Pornography, originally published in 2005, is a gender-queer adventure story that was not widely available until now. We All Got It Coming presents the experiences of a young couple dealing with the aftermath of an act of violence. From kidnapping the son of a "family values" politician to violent confrontation, these are characters who fight back.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
18 people are currently reading
622 people want to read
About the author
Joey Comeau
44 books662 followersJoey Comeau is a Canadian writer. He is best known for his novels Lockpick Pornography and Overqualified, and as co-creator of the webcomic A Softer World (with Emily Horne).
Comeau currently resides in Toronto, Ontario. He has a degree in linguistics.
Comeau currently resides in Toronto, Ontario. He has a degree in linguistics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 24, 2015
lots of boy sex in this one, so if that's your thing you're in for a treat. what i like most, what i like a lot about joey comeau is that he's sooooooooo sweet, so so so sweet. his first person narrators here (it's two novellas in one slim book) are sweet and lovely and well-rendered and fun and excitable and good, even when they are bad. when they get really really angry they punch in the tv set then go get another one, or close themselves in a public bathroom and kick the trash can around. when they get sad they watch kiddie cartoons on tv and that makes them feel awesome and super-hero-like. they are action heroes in muppet masks and rent-a-cop uniforms, and they save the world from homophobes, gender binarists, and enforcers of patriarchal beauty standards.
September 19, 2014
This book will probably make you unable to cope with society's bullshit after you're finished, and I'm pretty sure it will make you gay. It's perfect.
March 21, 2015
I felt like I was cheating starring this, just a little. The thing is I loved the second novella, I loved it like six or seven or eight out of five. But the first novella, the one of the title, gave me mixed feelings. I enjoyed the gender queer aspects to the story, especially having such an interesting trans character. And it made me horny, there was that.
But it's a cold book. It's a book about revolution and fighting against the man and at least trying to change things for the better but these people are still selfish and foolish and all alone, utterly alone, even when they're buried in someone else's private areas. I don't know. It's gripping and it's naughty and it's hot and it's also really really sad.
We All Got It Coming is a different kettle of fish entirely. Arthur is subject to prejudice and violence once it comes out that he's gay and then, as a result, he's at a loss about what to do with his life. The novella doesn't try to answer that question but instead paints a beautiful picture of his relationship with his partner Clay that just made me so sweetly happy. (And there's also some hardcore sex that's really well written, just in case you can't do too much romance.)
Look. Read this and tell me that it's not romantic, that it doesn't bring a tear to your eye with its quiet truth.
On our way out of the bathroom, I notice that that under his uniform sweater, there's a t-shirt tag sticking out. He's been walking around all day with his t-shirt on inside out. And he's mine.
Yep.
But it's a cold book. It's a book about revolution and fighting against the man and at least trying to change things for the better but these people are still selfish and foolish and all alone, utterly alone, even when they're buried in someone else's private areas. I don't know. It's gripping and it's naughty and it's hot and it's also really really sad.
We All Got It Coming is a different kettle of fish entirely. Arthur is subject to prejudice and violence once it comes out that he's gay and then, as a result, he's at a loss about what to do with his life. The novella doesn't try to answer that question but instead paints a beautiful picture of his relationship with his partner Clay that just made me so sweetly happy. (And there's also some hardcore sex that's really well written, just in case you can't do too much romance.)
Look. Read this and tell me that it's not romantic, that it doesn't bring a tear to your eye with its quiet truth.
On our way out of the bathroom, I notice that that under his uniform sweater, there's a t-shirt tag sticking out. He's been walking around all day with his t-shirt on inside out. And he's mine.
Yep.
October 23, 2015
This is by far one of the best books I've read this year and now one of my all time favorites! I'll be recommending this one to every body.
January 16, 2023
This book makes you think, laugh out loud and occasionally moves you or arouses you. It’s perfect.
November 23, 2012
This book had me at "genderqueer terrorism." Insurrectionary queer literature? Yes, please.
I enjoy Comeau's irreverent writing style, which tends to tackle deep issues (like gender identity or hate crimes, for example) with levity. His humor doesn't blunt the sharper edges of his writing, however. This book and its two protagonists are complicated; there are no innocent victims, no easy victories, and no real moral at the end. As an exploration of violence and its effects, the way that people are disempowered by systemic and individual acts, it's very effective.
There's something really satisfying about reading about queers bashing back, even in ways that I don't agree with. Equally satisfying: reading some smart, hot sex scenes, complete with unexpected moments that run the gamut from tender to creepy.
I've heard that other people have been dissatisfied with the short length of the two novellas, but personally, I'm a fan of the short form. Both of these stories feel complete to me, and Comeau's minimalism is poignant, even though it sometimes lacks grace. This book is definitely more of a pipe bomb than a switchblade.
The best thing I can say about this book is this: I had to stop reading it on the train, because it made me want to start screaming obscenities at strangers about dominant hetero-normative paradigms. You can't say that about too many books.
I enjoy Comeau's irreverent writing style, which tends to tackle deep issues (like gender identity or hate crimes, for example) with levity. His humor doesn't blunt the sharper edges of his writing, however. This book and its two protagonists are complicated; there are no innocent victims, no easy victories, and no real moral at the end. As an exploration of violence and its effects, the way that people are disempowered by systemic and individual acts, it's very effective.
There's something really satisfying about reading about queers bashing back, even in ways that I don't agree with. Equally satisfying: reading some smart, hot sex scenes, complete with unexpected moments that run the gamut from tender to creepy.
I've heard that other people have been dissatisfied with the short length of the two novellas, but personally, I'm a fan of the short form. Both of these stories feel complete to me, and Comeau's minimalism is poignant, even though it sometimes lacks grace. This book is definitely more of a pipe bomb than a switchblade.
The best thing I can say about this book is this: I had to stop reading it on the train, because it made me want to start screaming obscenities at strangers about dominant hetero-normative paradigms. You can't say that about too many books.
January 27, 2014
I am so queer right now for Joey Comeau. If you're reading this, Joey, marry me! Alternatively, just write more faster.
November 5, 2019
CN rape, violence
It starts great, but then it keeps getting worse and worse.
A transmisic misogynistic bi-hating protagonist who makes his boyfriend attempt raping a straight boy and uses his queerness as an excuse for violence, and this is not even the worst part.
It had some great moments though, but these don't make up for the messed up story.
It starts great, but then it keeps getting worse and worse.
A transmisic misogynistic bi-hating protagonist who makes his boyfriend attempt raping a straight boy and uses his queerness as an excuse for violence, and this is not even the worst part.
It had some great moments though, but these don't make up for the messed up story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2017
Well, this is subversive fun!
December 12, 2022
This book was a wild ride
December 18, 2024
Sex! Violence! And so incredibly genderqueer!
Reread this for the first time in years and I’m still very much in love with Joey’s writing
Reread this for the first time in years and I’m still very much in love with Joey’s writing
July 28, 2015
This contains two novellas: Lockpick Pornography and We All Got It Coming
The first book is amazing. 1st person narration from a really untrustworthy narrator with strong principles that sometimes don't stand up to proper scrutiny. Really well written and super engaging.
The second book is no where near as good, but still a decent read.
The first book is amazing. 1st person narration from a really untrustworthy narrator with strong principles that sometimes don't stand up to proper scrutiny. Really well written and super engaging.
The second book is no where near as good, but still a decent read.
October 16, 2018
Sorry, Joey Comeau. I loved A Softer World but I hated this. Everyone was just awful and mean and horrible. The writing is amazing, though - a quick, witty one-liner can lay out a complex political ideal clearly and concisely in the middle of the action. That's an impressive talent. But I still hated it. I couldn't finish it.
August 25, 2012
I read it. It's pretty fucking gay. By that, I mean I liked it. Also, homosexuality is the main theme in both stories.
FULL REVIEW: http://dripdropdripdropdripdrop.blogs...
FULL REVIEW: http://dripdropdripdropdripdrop.blogs...
September 18, 2015
A group of young people play with gender roles and maybe fall in love with each other all at once and not at all. Very entertaining and lots of great humor you won't really understand until you're quite a bit older than the characters.
June 20, 2013
I really wanted to like this considering how much I enjoy ASW and Comeau's witty blog posts, but I was seriously underwhelmed by the entire thing...
July 31, 2014
Combining two novellas into one volume, this collection explores the effects of prejudice and the ramifications of violence. Strangest novel I ever read with little redeeming value.
May 26, 2017
The Complete Lockpick Pornography by Joey Comeau is different and bold. Comeau digs deep into an side of the queer experience that so often doesn’t get told—the angry side, the frustration and violence that come from being mistreated and misunderstood by society.
I’m splitting my review into two—one for each novella. The first, Lockpick Pornography, was just okay for me. It’s a cold, dark story about a group of friends who strike back at society by doing things like breaking into the homes of heterosexual families and stealing things. If you’re a reader who needs to like the narrator, this novella might not be for you. The main character struggles with transphobia, and does impulsive and reactionary things that are sometimes really cool—but also often awful decisions. It’s an interesting story about anger with a surprising root in tenderness and friendships, but I thought it was perhaps one drunken escapade too long and extreme for its own good.
The second novella, We All Got It Coming, I loved. The way that Comeau draws you into the life of this couple allows his writing to shine, this sparse style to stand in for tenderness and thoughtfulness. A couple, Arthur and Clay, deal together with the violence that they both feel deep within themselves. They deal with it in different ways, but they both have it. It’s a story filled with tenderness, love, well-written sex (I always appreciate a rough sex scene that incorporates consent), and a lot of big questions, answered in small but excellent ways. We All Got It Coming steals the show of this two-novella collection by Comeau. (Thank you to the friend that lent it to me!)
“On our way out of the bathroom, I notice that that under his uniform sweater, there's a t-shirt tag sticking out. He's been walking around all day with his t-shirt on inside out. And he's mine.”
I’m splitting my review into two—one for each novella. The first, Lockpick Pornography, was just okay for me. It’s a cold, dark story about a group of friends who strike back at society by doing things like breaking into the homes of heterosexual families and stealing things. If you’re a reader who needs to like the narrator, this novella might not be for you. The main character struggles with transphobia, and does impulsive and reactionary things that are sometimes really cool—but also often awful decisions. It’s an interesting story about anger with a surprising root in tenderness and friendships, but I thought it was perhaps one drunken escapade too long and extreme for its own good.
The second novella, We All Got It Coming, I loved. The way that Comeau draws you into the life of this couple allows his writing to shine, this sparse style to stand in for tenderness and thoughtfulness. A couple, Arthur and Clay, deal together with the violence that they both feel deep within themselves. They deal with it in different ways, but they both have it. It’s a story filled with tenderness, love, well-written sex (I always appreciate a rough sex scene that incorporates consent), and a lot of big questions, answered in small but excellent ways. We All Got It Coming steals the show of this two-novella collection by Comeau. (Thank you to the friend that lent it to me!)
“On our way out of the bathroom, I notice that that under his uniform sweater, there's a t-shirt tag sticking out. He's been walking around all day with his t-shirt on inside out. And he's mine.”
October 14, 2019
A little tricky to rate since this volume collects two stories, of which I liked the first better than the second. If I could pick 3.5 stars, I would.
I've been a fan of Joey's work from A Softer World for a long time. His narrators are all aggressively cheerful and devastatingly earnest, despite frequently dark humor (and explicit sex and violence), and it's fun to read about characters that mostly try to have fun in life, even as they are very angry and very confused. The narrators for both Lockpick Pornography and We All Had It Coming follow this pattern and could almost be indistinguishable from each other, so I guess it could also be considered a lack of variety.
LP is a self-described genderqueer adventure story. It's grounded in a familiar world of homophobia and politics while also being stunningly surreal in the way of character actions and decisions. It's the characters' enthusiasm and earnestness that does it. They think what everyone in their position thinks, but then they follow through and do the things most would never. And you cheer for them while knowing that they're "bad/immoral/irresponsible/pointless" actions. LP stirs complex emotions, and it's fun!
WAHIC is a shorter story with many of the same thematic throughlines (and that's why they're bundled together), but takes more jumps between character feelings and thoughts, which made it a little harder to follow, since narrator logic gaps were a little wider. I think it'd be more difficult to pull the themes of the story out of WAHIC without having first read LP.
I've been a fan of Joey's work from A Softer World for a long time. His narrators are all aggressively cheerful and devastatingly earnest, despite frequently dark humor (and explicit sex and violence), and it's fun to read about characters that mostly try to have fun in life, even as they are very angry and very confused. The narrators for both Lockpick Pornography and We All Had It Coming follow this pattern and could almost be indistinguishable from each other, so I guess it could also be considered a lack of variety.
LP is a self-described genderqueer adventure story. It's grounded in a familiar world of homophobia and politics while also being stunningly surreal in the way of character actions and decisions. It's the characters' enthusiasm and earnestness that does it. They think what everyone in their position thinks, but then they follow through and do the things most would never. And you cheer for them while knowing that they're "bad/immoral/irresponsible/pointless" actions. LP stirs complex emotions, and it's fun!
WAHIC is a shorter story with many of the same thematic throughlines (and that's why they're bundled together), but takes more jumps between character feelings and thoughts, which made it a little harder to follow, since narrator logic gaps were a little wider. I think it'd be more difficult to pull the themes of the story out of WAHIC without having first read LP.
October 19, 2021
I read this book years ago and it was so impactful. I decided to read it again to remember what it was about and why it mattered to me so much.
The book is violent, angry and almost cheap. Cheap in a way that’s not trying to impress anyone. I want to say it’s really meaningful and profound because it meant something to me but in reality I think it’s just emotional backlash.
It’s a book written in 2004 and it’s just frustrated, angry, exhausted queers lashing out. In that way I find it relieving. Nowadays I almost have to act like nothing bad ever happened to me, that progress has saved the day. This book reminded me how pissed off I still am at people and why.
I also think this book introduced me to true fluidity for my first time. That sex could be just bodies and queers benefit a lot from not being straight. I needed that.
The book is violent, angry and almost cheap. Cheap in a way that’s not trying to impress anyone. I want to say it’s really meaningful and profound because it meant something to me but in reality I think it’s just emotional backlash.
It’s a book written in 2004 and it’s just frustrated, angry, exhausted queers lashing out. In that way I find it relieving. Nowadays I almost have to act like nothing bad ever happened to me, that progress has saved the day. This book reminded me how pissed off I still am at people and why.
I also think this book introduced me to true fluidity for my first time. That sex could be just bodies and queers benefit a lot from not being straight. I needed that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2020
This book consists of a pair of LGBT novellas, the first about 110 pgs. long and the second about 50-60 pgs. long. It's in that publishing twilight zone of being more than a single novel, but falling short of being a collection of stories (unless two longer-than-standard-short stories qualify as a "collection"). You can just read the first novella, "Lockpick Pornography" if you want to, but you may as well read the second, "We All Got it Coming" while you're at it.
January 14, 2020
The best summary I could give for lockpick pornography is "Fight Club but gender queer." Like all summaries of something worth consuming, that falls oh so short. I can't describe how well Comeau can open up a mindset and make it so visceral, violent, beautiful, and personal. I could go on with description at length but overall, if you dont have a blatant fear of sexual themes, read these.
May 28, 2024
Joey Comeau je jedan od mojih omiljenih pisaca, i u Lockpick Pornography njegova entropična kvir energija blješti snagom hiljadu sunaca. Ovo je savršeno urnebesna revolucionarna novela usmerena protiv licemerja konzervativnog društva.
We All Got It Coming je mirnija, osećajnija i promišljenija meditacija o opresiji, ali ne i manje snažna zbog toga.
We All Got It Coming je mirnija, osećajnija i promišljenija meditacija o opresiji, ali ne i manje snažna zbog toga.
August 8, 2020
This is one of my favourite books of all time. Comeau manages to illustrate such a provocative and queer world with some of the raunchiest language, and it still feels like a heartfelt story through and through. (5/5)
October 16, 2024
Fucked up. Messy. Kind of achey. Two stories of queer men turning their marginalisation out against the society which marginalises them. The first story was the better but I found the POV character's transmisogyny difficult to stomach, even as I realise it was (mostly) his and not the story's
February 15, 2025
I wanted to enjoy this book fully and there were parts that I did but… it all felt so jumbled and confusing and while it may have been intended to be from the perspective of someone loosing their touch with reality… it just fell short. The second story was better but still lackluster.
October 17, 2017
Dirty, hilarious, violent, crazy and sweet. I love Joey Comeau.
January 7, 2018
It's like a gay catcher in the rye, which had value, but overall I'm torn between love and loathe. Certainly an interesting read of angst and instability are your thing.
July 6, 2018
Queer crime odysseys.
June 8, 2021
Two short novels in this volume, each rife with rampant hedonism and explicit man-on-man sex, in other words, terrific fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews