Carsick

John Waters Hitchhikes Across America

By: John Waters

Narrated by: John Waters

Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

A cross-country hitchhiking journey with America’s most beloved weirdo.

John Waters is putting his life on the line. Armed with wit, a pencil-thin mustache, and a cardboard sign that reads "I’m Not Psycho", he hitchhikes across America from Baltimore to San Francisco, braving lonely roads and treacherous drivers. But who should we be more worried about, the delicate film director with genteel manners or the unsuspecting travelers transporting the Pope of Trash?

Before he leaves for this bizarre adventure, Waters fantasizes about the best and worst possible scenarios: A friendly drug dealer hands over piles of cash to finance films with no questions asked, a demolition-derby driver makes a filthy sexual request in the middle of a race, a gun-toting drunk terrorizes and holds him hostage, and a Kansas vice squad entraps and throws him in jail. So what really happens when this cult legend sticks out his thumb and faces the open road? His real-life rides include a gentle 81-year-old farmer who is convinced Waters is a hobo, an indie band on tour, and the perverse filmmaker’s unexpected hero: A young, sandy-haired Republican in a Corvette.

Laced with subversive humor and warm intelligence, Carsick is an unforgettable vacation with a wickedly funny companion - and a celebration of America’s weird, astonishing, and generous citizenry.

©2014 John Waters (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

John Waters Rocks!

I was not as interested in his imaginary "best" and "worst" trips- bit his actual trip was a fantastic read!

Great if you are a gay man

Where does Carsick rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

While the story starts off somewhat interesting if takes a downward spiral during the sexual exploits throughout the demolition derby...lost me there- had to turn it off.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Unsure but it will hopefully be funny and intelligent.

Have you listened to any of John Waters’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Boring car ride with raunchy gay sex

Any additional comments?

Nope, I am all finished with Mr. Waters, too bad because he is smarter than this book.

Fun

What a fun adventure of a book. The fictional portions are certainly what I would expect from the legendary John Waters. The real part of the story was unexpectedly engaging and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

Hilarious and Imaginative

Hilarious and imaginative take on writing a saga like this. First third is clearly superior to the rest, but it's very entertaining throughout. Waters' own narration is, as one might expect, the way to experience this story. [AUDIBLE]

One Good Ride

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book with the clarification to the reader that the first 2/3 of the story are fictitious, and you will not get to John Waters' actual trip until after page 200. But everything leading up to the real trip is glorious and perfect.
The "Good Rides" were beautiful and sweet in that twisted Waters-esque way. There is a carnival game with a prize of a pork, Mr. Waters is reunited with a dear friend, and MAGICAL FARTS. While the "Bad Rides" are straight from the filthiest mind known to popular culture.

What a fun listen this was!

I became a Waters fan about 7 - 8 years ago which was good timing because I didn't have to wait to see his films. I watched everything I could find over the course of a month and loved it all. Now I'm delving into his books. This is my first and won't be my last.

do two lines of this book like good drugs

absolutely the laugh I needed the smile I miss I once traveled many ways ❤️

Very Disappointing!

What did you like best about Carsick? What did you like least?

Can't really think of anything I liked, and the nonsensical stories were what I liked least

What was most disappointing about John Waters’s story?

I had seen him interviewed about the book and his hitch hiking across the US. He gave me the impression that this was a real trip and true stories about the journey. I laughed out loud during the interview, but not while reading the book. The stories about his rides were so unreal and impossible that you immediately know it is all made up. The characters are so outrageous they are impossible to believe.

Did John Waters do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

No, they are all absurd

Did Carsick inspire you to do anything?

Wait for more reviews before making purchases

Any additional comments?

Don't waste your money

A sweet, yet raunchy, delight

I could listen to John Waters tell stories all day. Makes me wish I’d been one of his drivers.

A delicious girthy hog of a tail!

The fictional part was a real pillow biter! The real part was also great! That strange little fag has brought us so much art! I appreciate all of the repugnant things he has done and that I have shared with my friends and my son. Bless you Mr. John!!!