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karenleagermain's review
4.0
Last month, I saw John Waters perform at UCLA and I met him as he signed my copy of “Role Models.” I very carefully have read my autographed book (no spills or bends) and loved it! This book is mostly about the quirky people that Waters has grown to love and considers to be his Role Models. It is a very eclectic bunch of people…some famous, some infamous and mostly people that no one has every heard of! I love how he seeks out the people that most of us would not give a second glance to. Waters has a fascinating take on life and his enthusiasm spills over.
In particular, I loved the whole chapter on Leslie Van Houten and the chapter on books. He had a lot of great one liners and observations as someone who loves to read. I kept nodding in agreement as I read the chapter. I really liked the idea of his art pieces being his roommates. Waters views the world in such an offbeat and it’s great! I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
In particular, I loved the whole chapter on Leslie Van Houten and the chapter on books. He had a lot of great one liners and observations as someone who loves to read. I kept nodding in agreement as I read the chapter. I really liked the idea of his art pieces being his roommates. Waters views the world in such an offbeat and it’s great! I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
maryehavens's review
5.0
"Do we secretly idolize our imagined opposites, yearning to become the role models for others we know we could never be for ourselves?" John Waters, Role Models
I would say "yes" to this quote. As much as I admire the absurd/outlandish statements that John Waters can, and will, "put out" there, I will probably never do it myself. His fashion choices, his magnetic draw to the fringes of society, his down and dirty living amongst this fringe: I admire him for holding up that mirror to this part of society so we can all see it. But the closest I'm willing to get is listening/reading a book about it. Maybe I'll dye a purple streak in my hair when I go all gray. That pales in comparison to his lifetime of "trash" but hey, he's led me to embrace my inner flair so I'm going with it. And he would approve because he's not judgemental at all.
So many parts of this book made me laugh out loud (my favorite line was probably: "I'm disgusted hearing about this. I'm digusted that I have to tell you this!") and made me cringe with repulsion. And I identified with so much of it too. It might have taken him 60 years and countless therapy sessions but it's so incredibly refreshing to hear someone embrace their own weirdness and make no apologies. And then to hear what THEY get weirded out about!!
Driving around with John Waters was like driving around with your best, weirdest friend. You can tell them anything, they can tell you anything, you worry about their safety, you love hearing their stories, and you'll always be there for them. But you kind of pray for them extra hard just because you know they need an extra dose of guardian angel :)
I would say "yes" to this quote. As much as I admire the absurd/outlandish statements that John Waters can, and will, "put out" there, I will probably never do it myself. His fashion choices, his magnetic draw to the fringes of society, his down and dirty living amongst this fringe: I admire him for holding up that mirror to this part of society so we can all see it. But the closest I'm willing to get is listening/reading a book about it. Maybe I'll dye a purple streak in my hair when I go all gray. That pales in comparison to his lifetime of "trash" but hey, he's led me to embrace my inner flair so I'm going with it. And he would approve because he's not judgemental at all.
So many parts of this book made me laugh out loud (my favorite line was probably: "I'm disgusted hearing about this. I'm digusted that I have to tell you this!") and made me cringe with repulsion. And I identified with so much of it too. It might have taken him 60 years and countless therapy sessions but it's so incredibly refreshing to hear someone embrace their own weirdness and make no apologies. And then to hear what THEY get weirded out about!!
Driving around with John Waters was like driving around with your best, weirdest friend. You can tell them anything, they can tell you anything, you worry about their safety, you love hearing their stories, and you'll always be there for them. But you kind of pray for them extra hard just because you know they need an extra dose of guardian angel :)
neilsarver's review
5.0
I love "Shock Value" like I love the Ramones first album. But while the Ramones would continue to produce great work, they never had an equally perfect version of the grown-up version of the same quirks and angst. Waters does, however, and the older version of me was thrilled to read it.
daena_johnson's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Fascinating, insightful, and definitely not for the faint of heart or those not already a fan of John Waters' work filth. 🦩
brakywaki's review
5.0
Waters remains our greatest storyteller. He’s my primary role model, so everyone described in this books is my role model by default.
emilyinherhead's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Some sections of this memoir-in-tributes were more engaging than others, but I think this was mostly due to my not being super familiar with some of the people, concepts, and cultural touchpoints that Waters is referencing. His tone is really conversational and funny, which I love. He somehow manages to strike the rare balance between raunchy and tender.
Bobby may have a one-track mind but he puts the “gentle” in gentleman. He remembers not only big dicks but kindnesses, too. (214)
glitzard's review
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Captivating vignettes about different, fascinating people. You can skip the chapter about commes-de-garcon.