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esshgee's review
2.0
Quite disappointed to find only 1/3 of this book was the actual hitchhiking story, the other 2/3 was fiction and not particularly interesting. Even the actual hitchhiking stuff was bland. Didn't hate it but wouldn't recommend it
geisttull's review
3.0
Interesting read. i listened to it and john waters reads it. the idea was a good one - john waters hitchhikes from Baltimore to San Francisco and tells the story. but he starts out with two novellas - best case scenarios and worst case scenarios. they were full of his quirky, self-proclaimed filthy take on what the good rides would be like and what the bad rides would be like. the novellas were full of very strange and outlandish things which make it hard for me to recommend this book. some of the stories were funny, but a lot of people would probably be offended by some of it. the actual trip was interesting but not very exciting - hitchhiking really is mostly made up of waiting on the side of the road, afterall.
read2menow's review
1.0
I just could not finish this book, it was to vulgar and unrealistic to read. Which is all of his films, so if you are a fan of his style of filming, you will enjoy his book. But for me it was not the same experience, I just felt like I was reading a dirty old man's journal of everyone he wanted to have sex with. This book was just not for me and I am a fan of John Waters. But I guess I am not a true fan, because this book can be read to filth.
lizzderr's review
4.0
A few notes:
1. Yes, the first two-thirds of the book are fiction: Waters begins by imagining how his trip could go, the best possible version and the worst possible version. Waters doesn't try to pretend any of the fictional stuff really happened, but I guess just the idea of having fiction and nonfiction between the covers of the same book ruffles some people's feathers.
2. This is a John Waters book. If you don't enjoy his aesthetic and/or sense of humor, then you should steer clear. On the other hand, if you're already a fan, I highly recommend checking it out.
3. John Waters is a freaking national treasure, and the fact that he came so close to where I live and I had no idea made me want to sob!
1. Yes, the first two-thirds of the book are fiction: Waters begins by imagining how his trip could go, the best possible version and the worst possible version. Waters doesn't try to pretend any of the fictional stuff really happened, but I guess just the idea of having fiction and nonfiction between the covers of the same book ruffles some people's feathers.
2. This is a John Waters book. If you don't enjoy his aesthetic and/or sense of humor, then you should steer clear. On the other hand, if you're already a fan, I highly recommend checking it out.
3. John Waters is a freaking national treasure, and the fact that he came so close to where I live and I had no idea made me want to sob!
bacchae21's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book was very interesting, but more appropriate for someone who understands JW references.
meghan111's review
3.0
Huge complaint about the structure of this book - over half of it is comprised of two "novellas" where Waters imagines the best hitchhiking experience possible and then the worst. It's very akin to the lists of '101 Things I Love' and '101 Things I Hate' in the sublime [b:Crackpot|1975969|Crackpot|Ron Goulart|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-6121bf4c1f669098041843ec9650ca19.png|2914332], but those worked because they were short and condensed.
The actual story of his hitchhiking is much more interesting that the imagined. Full points for those sections of real life.
The actual story of his hitchhiking is much more interesting that the imagined. Full points for those sections of real life.
lindsayb's review
4.0
Just as ridiculous, hilarious, salacious, and highly questionable as you might imagine.