Paying for it

a comic-strip memoir about being a john

by Chester Brown

Hardcover, 280 pages

Published Jan. 1, 2011 by Drawn & Quarterly.

ISBN:: 978-1-77046-048-5
OCLC Number:: 682894289

(9 reviews)

Chester Brown has never shied away from tackling controversial subjects in his work. In his 1992 book, The Playboy, he explored his personal history with pornography. His bestselling 2003 graphic novel, Louis Riel, was a biographical examination of an extreme political figure. The book won wide acclaim and cemented Brown's reputation as a true innovator.

Paying for It is a natural progression for Brown as it combines the personal and sexual aspects of his autobiographical work with the polemical drive of Louis Riel. Brown calmly lays out the facts of how he became not only a willing participant in but a vocal proponent of one of the world's most hot-button topics—prostitution. While this may appear overly sensational and just plain implausible to some, Brown's story stands for itself. Paying for It offers an entirely contemporary exploration of sex work—from the timid john who rides his bike to his escorts, wonders …

Complete with a surprise ending, Paying for It provides endless debate and conversation about sex work and will be the most talkedabout graphic novel of 2011.

2 editions

Shawn Towner reviewed Paying for it by Chester Brown

Review of 'Paying for it' on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

Best comic book about whoremongering that I've ever read. Parts of the book digress too far into preachy philosophizing about the ethics of prostitution (the appendices are particularly guilty of this), but when Brown focuses on the personal aspect of being a john, the book is great. We get to experience the confusion, the apprehension, and the occasional bouts of shame and self-doubt as Brown experiences them as he visits a variety of prostitutes over years. The personal reflections and thoughts and these events are funny and honest, making the book a pleasure to read. And though I generally prefer coloured comics, this is one comic book I'm glad was drawn in a fairly minimal black-and-white style.