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rlinz123's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
3.0
I loved the chapters about his movies. But there is a lot of name-dropping and unnecessary complaints (about air travel, dog-friendly beaches, fat people). I did enjoy reading about John Waters and Mink Stole taking LSD as seniors!
p0tat0's review
3.0
John Waters is one of my favorite people and this book is worth reading to hear about his LSD trip with Mink Stole alone. Some of the essays got kind of unwieldy, but in general I enjoyed this book.
arnzen's review
4.0
After seeing John Waters deliver a really good graduation speech on youtube, I wanted to hear more of this "filth elder's" advice to outsiders: he's quirky, hilarious and yet keeps it real. The book is strangely motivating and always charming, for a book that is essentially a memoir about surviving the alternative lifestyle until age 70 (and living it large...there are a lot of surprising revelations in here, I think) and making (mostly underground/cult) movies. The audiobook is a fabulous treat. His insider/backstage looks at actors and his reflections on doing crazy things with celebrities was mildly interesting, but Waters' probing of his own motives, psychology and attitude was far more engaging, and I laughed and even identified a lot. His motivation for artists to just be as weird as they want to be is a winner. A tribute to libertines who have survived the late 20th century, and a mostly good discussion of the generation-gap today and how times have changed, without being obnoxiously older or holier-than-thou. Indeed, John Waters is hipper than any hipster and kingly cool. Waters deserves his success and he earned the right to tell these stories with authority. Definitely opt for hearing him tell these stories on audio; his personality comes beaming through, as if you were sitting on a velvet couch right next to him, sipping cocktails.
muffmacguff's review against another edition
3.0
There’s a good deal to enjoy in this book and also quite a bit of rambling that’s kind of a chore to get through. My favorite parts were all at the beginning, where he discusses the productions of all his movies from Polyester through the present. I also liked his lengthy essay on art by primates toward the end.
raoionna's review against another edition
5.0
Irreverant ~ Well-written ~ Charming ~ Relevant
tl;dr: Memoir of John Waters is actually basically a book about life
John Waters is an old fav of mine. So, that his book would be extraordinary didn't surprise me. However, what surprised me was how relevant this book felt. That a man who started out making outsider movies in Baltimore could speak to me, an asian woman about 40 years younger, highlights the depth of the book. In a series of short essays, Waters talks about his career, but also about loss, about coming to terms with aging, love, jealousy, and regret. His book is really for anyone who wants a well-written, thoughful memoir about life. (And, if you happen to think Pink Flamingos is hilarious, you double win.) I love John Waters, sure, so I'm biased. But, honestly, I challenge any lover of memoir to try this one. They will thoroughly enjoy it, and if not, well, they can jump off a bridge (though I would guess John Waters has more colorful terms for what they could do.)
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC In exchange for an honest review.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
tl;dr: Memoir of John Waters is actually basically a book about life
John Waters is an old fav of mine. So, that his book would be extraordinary didn't surprise me. However, what surprised me was how relevant this book felt. That a man who started out making outsider movies in Baltimore could speak to me, an asian woman about 40 years younger, highlights the depth of the book. In a series of short essays, Waters talks about his career, but also about loss, about coming to terms with aging, love, jealousy, and regret. His book is really for anyone who wants a well-written, thoughful memoir about life. (And, if you happen to think Pink Flamingos is hilarious, you double win.) I love John Waters, sure, so I'm biased. But, honestly, I challenge any lover of memoir to try this one. They will thoroughly enjoy it, and if not, well, they can jump off a bridge (though I would guess John Waters has more colorful terms for what they could do.)
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC In exchange for an honest review.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
squirrelfish's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, so this book is less than 40 pages and adapted from a speech. With some hand-drawn cartoons. And it's hilarious and smart and I think the advice is pretty good too.
Highly recommend.
Read on Kobo through SFPL and Libby app.
Highly recommend.
Read on Kobo through SFPL and Libby app.
rickyvalles's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.5
not for me, lots of meandering and stream of consciousness. I wish there was more reflection and story telling.
hazmatz's review
4.0
4.5
Not 5 just because it didn't change my life or anything but by golly do I love listening to John Waters talk
Not 5 just because it didn't change my life or anything but by golly do I love listening to John Waters talk
doveseason's review
funny
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
this man is completely insane. if you’re a fan of his films, this provides fascinating background. these stories are grotesque, chaotic, hilarious, sweet, and just awful. peppered with profound lines such as “guns are fake butch”
i recommend the audiobook read by the author 🕺 i loved it.
i recommend the audiobook read by the author 🕺 i loved it.