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navasketch's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
genuinely impossible to coherently describe the contents of this book. i think it would (and can) be a hell of a movie but as a book it feels like it overstays its welcome even in its short length
jswolf's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
enzyme's review against another edition
2.75
Random notes and ideas I had:
- I enjoy the little nods to the reader, breaking the fourth wall but they felt random
- I enjoy the little nods to the reader, breaking the fourth wall but they felt random
- The changing in narrative style annoyed me. Some chapters, early ones, would be told with breaks between each characters different perspective but later on they would then just merge, but not seemingly for any reason and then it randomly switched back again near the end during a chapter but then switched back in that same chapter. It felt messy and like the editor hadn’t properly noticed. The story would have ran better if it followed a similar story telling style.
- I much more enjoyed marshas storyline and what she got up to, wish that was what the book focused on. I found the chapters with the other characters dragged and weren’t useful, but I get how they’ll work for a film adaptation, and they add tension.
- I really enjoyed how sometimes randomly we’d hear inside random characters minds or thoughts.
- The storyline nearing the end felt very messy, introduced so many random characters and honestly was a little disappointing. I sort of enjoyed how the big fight moment literally ended so quick and there was no tension.
- Marsha was an amazing lead character and really pulled the story together. I love how even when she started to tell the truth, she reverted back to lies at the last minute.
- The storylines about bouncers and rimmers were quite interesting as they clearly tackled the themes of minorities and marginalised groups but in a more comical crazy way that showed that as a society we can accept one thing but not another
- The book was so very John Waters, it was completely absurd and at times lacked an actual plot line and instead just added things for shock value. It felt very much so like a film of his. I think it will translate well to screen. The absurdist style with no proper plot maybe doesn’t appeal to me but I still enjoyed this mish mash splodged together story with lots but so little to say. It was just quite stupid, and I loved that.
- I much more enjoyed marshas storyline and what she got up to, wish that was what the book focused on. I found the chapters with the other characters dragged and weren’t useful, but I get how they’ll work for a film adaptation, and they add tension.
- I really enjoyed how sometimes randomly we’d hear inside random characters minds or thoughts.
- The storyline nearing the end felt very messy, introduced so many random characters and honestly was a little disappointing. I sort of enjoyed how the big fight moment literally ended so quick and there was no tension.
- Marsha was an amazing lead character and really pulled the story together. I love how even when she started to tell the truth, she reverted back to lies at the last minute.
- The storylines about bouncers and rimmers were quite interesting as they clearly tackled the themes of minorities and marginalised groups but in a more comical crazy way that showed that as a society we can accept one thing but not another
- The book was so very John Waters, it was completely absurd and at times lacked an actual plot line and instead just added things for shock value. It felt very much so like a film of his. I think it will translate well to screen. The absurdist style with no proper plot maybe doesn’t appeal to me but I still enjoyed this mish mash splodged together story with lots but so little to say. It was just quite stupid, and I loved that.
emmamhyman's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pbraue13's review against another edition
4.0
If you have not heard of John Waters, have not seen a John Waters film, or read anything he has written… this book may not be for you. Should you pick it up to read it you will be shocked. After all he is known as the Pope of Trash. So with all that said, what is “Liarmouth”?
Sexpot forty-something Marsha Sprinkle is a liar and a hustler — squatting in foreclosed McMansions, fencing items from stolen luggage — and after promising to sleep with her partner in crime, Daryl, if he posed as her chauffeur for a year, the year is up, Daryl is, um, impassioned, and Marsha has no intention of honouring her deal. When they go to the airport to make what Marsha decides will be their final heist as a team, the con goes wrong, the pair run from the police in opposite directions, and the plot becomes a gonzo planes, trains, and automobiles road trip with Marsha trying to get to her ex-husband for overdue revenge and Daryl trying to get to Marsha. Along the way they cross paths with: a tickle fetishist; a hobo kidnapper; outlaw trampoline radicals on the run; an unlicensed pet plastic surgeon; a psychic talking penis (yes, a talking penis!); bouncers, flouncers, rimmers, and frotterers. The book is also populated with drag queens, plus-sized women, and sex workers who are all fun characters that had me squealing with laughter (along with the rest of this book). If that doesn’t get you running to the bookstore to read this, I am not sure what will, haha!
As a book it was a fun time and a wild ride. Waters’ next film is apparently going to be an adaptation of this book and I am fascinated to see what he does. This is certainly a feel-bad romance as the title proclaims so if you choose to read it, be prepared!
(4/5 stars)
Sexpot forty-something Marsha Sprinkle is a liar and a hustler — squatting in foreclosed McMansions, fencing items from stolen luggage — and after promising to sleep with her partner in crime, Daryl, if he posed as her chauffeur for a year, the year is up, Daryl is, um, impassioned, and Marsha has no intention of honouring her deal. When they go to the airport to make what Marsha decides will be their final heist as a team, the con goes wrong, the pair run from the police in opposite directions, and the plot becomes a gonzo planes, trains, and automobiles road trip with Marsha trying to get to her ex-husband for overdue revenge and Daryl trying to get to Marsha. Along the way they cross paths with: a tickle fetishist; a hobo kidnapper; outlaw trampoline radicals on the run; an unlicensed pet plastic surgeon; a psychic talking penis (yes, a talking penis!); bouncers, flouncers, rimmers, and frotterers. The book is also populated with drag queens, plus-sized women, and sex workers who are all fun characters that had me squealing with laughter (along with the rest of this book). If that doesn’t get you running to the bookstore to read this, I am not sure what will, haha!
As a book it was a fun time and a wild ride. Waters’ next film is apparently going to be an adaptation of this book and I am fascinated to see what he does. This is certainly a feel-bad romance as the title proclaims so if you choose to read it, be prepared!
(4/5 stars)
janelleclare's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
babs_wilgus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
juliannasiegrist's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
this was ridiculous and hilarious, I don't think I was the target audience for this but I enjoyed most of it