Sister Safety Pin

by Lorrie Sprecher

Sprecher's punk lesbian novel captures the in-your-face attitude of the 80s punk scene, a world of grunge and Doc Martens. On the wrong side of political correctness, Sister introduces a wry, intelligent new voice with an edge!

Genres: Fiction, Queer, LGBT, Literature, Queer Lit, Lesbian Fiction, Feminism

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1994

About the author

Lorrie Sprecher is the author of Pissing in a River, Sister Safety Pin and Anxiety Attack. She was a member of ACT UP/DC, has a PhD in English and American literature, and resides with her dog Kurt in Syracuse, New York. The punk song “It’s a Heteronormative World, No!” recorded by her band Sugar Rat appears on a compilation put out by Riot Grrrl Berlin.

Reviews

[Allison Floyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's recap, shall we?

Men, cops, disco, America, the military, the Supreme Court, and Christmas, yes Christmas, are the devil.

Lesbians, Chrissie Hynde, and bad lyrics are God.

Glad we're all clear on that.

Hot dogs seems to be pretty popular, too, which is bizarre, since hot dogs are rape. Or at least this is the kind of thing I'd say if I were prone to portraying lifestyle choices and identities not my own as oppressive and unnatural. Um, which happens in this book. Like, a lot.

In between bouts of the above, what we have here is an entertaining coming-of-age story that I'm sure has given much comfort to many people. Plus, the fashion is fun.

Also, I think the author does a great job of artfully capturing what it's like to straddle the divide between petulant childhood and murky, meandering (and misanthropic!) adulthood.

But! If you don't feel like telling Melany to buy some loafers, sport a natural hair color, and vote Republican by the end of this book, well, you're less contrary than I am.

[Nomy · Rating 3 out of 5]

i remember thinking this book was really cheesy but also great because it was about a girl's coming out process, as both a dyke and a punk rocker. i remember some funny stuff about punk fashion and BDSM signals... anyway it has been a long time since i read it but it was definitely entertaining.

[Cher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable complicated romance between at least two punky gals at a Liberal Arts College.

[Sassafras Patterdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant punk/dyke novel - can't believe I only discovered this book last year since queer punk novels are my favorite genre!

[*Maegan* · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been such a long time since I've read this book (15 years!) but I remember really enjoying it.

[Roberta Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first queer book experience. It was the first time, I saw myself and recognized who I was on paper.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite part of this are the punk songs. I like lgbtq stories that are about more than the sex. So yes, punk rock and also good friendships and finding what you want to do with your life. I wish she wrote more...

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book no less than 25 times all the way through. It was the first queer book I read where I actually identified with the protagonist instead of thinking.... hmmm I'm chubby weirdo and I don't go to an all girls school and this isn't New York in the 70's and I'm the worst.
Especially the realization that dating someone because they're the first and only lesbian/bisexual/queer you know is kind of a fool's errand.
I think I'm going to have to re-read this again really really soon now.

[Wildstar 🌈💜✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

maybe it was kind of cheezy... but amazing for the time period, and totally from the heart... lots of guts and feminist spirit.. and c'mon its like one of maybe two dyke punk books ever written... but yeah its been years since ive read it as well... but i really did like it when i did, and found it somewhat inspirational

[Asilef · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming out and coming of age story of Melany, a girl from Santa Barbara who doesn't fit in with the punks because she's a lesbian, and doesn't fit in with the lesbians because she's a punk.
Written kind of sophomorically, but overall an interesting and heartfelt story. Would definitely be a good book for anyone struggling or coming to terms with their sexuality.

[Jakey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first lesbian novel I read with Punks in it. I remember liking it so much I lent it to Rath. Rath, do you still have it? Did you like it too?

[Brittany Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great queer fiction is a favorite genre of mine. Love the punk rock aspect of this book.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Punky and sweet. A fun, fast read with a big, spirited rock and roll heart.

[Megan Maggot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me cry. I loved this book.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wonderful, hilarious, coming of age punk lesbian book. I would've adored this book in high school - you can really relate to her when she's younger and trying to figure out who she is.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't count the number of times I read this in HS. It shaped my view of the world, of myself, and of the riot grrrl scene at the time.

[Carolee Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like a 3.5 for me, but I'm bumping it up for sisterhood.

[Freyja Vanadis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, even though the constant descriptions of punkness were a little relentless. What a sweet ending. Definitely a keeper.

[Jaylen Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Lesbian love book EVER!