Role Models

By: John Waters

Narrated by: John Waters

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Role Models is filmmaker John Waters's self-portrait told through intimate profiles of favorite personalities---some famous, some unknown, some criminal, some surprisingly middle-of-the-road. From Esther Martin, owner of the scariest bar in Baltimore, to the American playwright Tennessee Williams; from the atheist leader Madalyn Murray O'Hair to the insane martyr Saint Catherine of Siena; from the English novelist Denton Welch to the timelessly appealing singer Johnny Mathis---these are the extreme figures who helped the author form his own brand of neurotic happiness. Role Models is a personal invitation into one of the most unique, perverse, and hilarious artistic minds of our time.

©2010 John Waters (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Nominee - Best Narration by the Author, 2011

"Waters delivers a worthy tribute to his personal pantheon of artistic icons. An impressive, heartfelt collection by a true American iconoclast." (Kirkus)

The best homily yet from the Pope of Filth

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

Certainly one of, if not the best audiobook I've heard.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Role Models?

Like a final call to prayer, Waters' last chapter describes his aspirations to move beyond his status of a cult filmmaker and become a cult leader, and take you with him. Hilarious, detailed, dirty and, at times, an exercise in religious and Waters history with surprising crossovers.

What does John Waters bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Waters is as much a performer as he is a writer and filmmaker. His unmistakable voice carries his individual brand of bad taste off the page and on to the stage without sounding contrived. The respect and adoration Waters affords his subjects is evident throughout this biographic homage, and is only further highlighted by the kindness that shines through his reading and pokes between the trashy references.

Any additional comments?

If you're a fan of Waters' films or previous books, you'll be pleased to hear there is very little crossover in terms of content. If you're new to the world of John Waters you'll be in for a treat.

Role Models also serves as a springboard from which to dive into an underground world of trash and treasure, most particularly via Waters' list of 'books you should read to live a happy life if something is basically the matter with you'. Waters' is a prolific reader and a cultural scavenger, sifting through the mounds of cultural detritus to find the brilliantly misshapen jewels scattered throughout, and he's not afraid to share them.

Insightful and hilarious

Conventions are so dull. No one knows this as well as John Waters. If you are even so much as a casual fan of his brand of humor, this book will delight you. It truly lifted my mood and exposed me to interesting artists and writers I had never heard of but now want to check out.

I love John Waters

If you are a fan you must get this. John Waters is amazing and a great story teller.

National treasure

What a joy to listen to the pope of trash ramble on for hours about his heroes. Insightful and endlessly hilarious.

Belt, Turned 45 Degrees to the Right

Any additional comments?

This book is so good it's stupid. John Waters is a hero of mine, and his latest book has collected the myriad reasons for my reverence and worship into a hilarious, profound, tight, sweaty autobiographical work. He's dirty, funny, intelligent, wise, gross, moving, ironic, etc. It's completely enjoyable. It's a tricky thing to write a book about OTHER people that still appeals to YOUR fans, but the information and anecdotes that delve into the fascinating lives of his so-called role models always end up revealing just as much about Mr. Waters himself.

Now, my sadistic sense of humor begs me not to say this, but I feel compelled to warn you: the subjects of this book, while being completely honest to Mr. Waters' character, often fall far from the the subjects of some of his more popular movies (e.g. Hairspray, Cry-Baby). There's a lot to admire about him, but there's a lot about him that many will never admire. If you can't stomach long passages about gay porn auteurs then turn around right this minute (we don't want you here anyway). But if you think you're up for it, please, come right on in, have a drink, there's plenty of room for you.

A must-listen for all John Waters fans!

What did you love best about Role Models?

I adore John Water's unique vision of life, eclectic references from stage, screen, music, and pop culture, and his good-natured, down-to-earth honesty. Whether talking of his love for Comme des Garçons or his realistic and measured defense of Leslie Van Houten, Waters delivers insights that are original, heartfelt, and intelligent.

What other book might you compare Role Models to and why?

He has the references of Greil Marcus without any of the pretension, and his discussions of fame are so human, they seem really unique to me.

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

I have never heard him read an audiobook, but I've seen him live, and he's a brilliant performer (as well as director.) He's simply a star, but in the most human way possible. I love him!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but at over 7 hours, I listened in two hour or so chunks.

Any additional comments?

This is a fantastic reflection on idols, admiration, and human attraction--John Waters does it again!

It’s John Waters! Secular Heaven.

John Waters. Maybelline eyebrow pencil. Spoken word. Baltimore. Rough trade. Unsung indie pornographer.

Absolute heaven secular heaven.

Well written, entertaining, great insight

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

While some chapters may reflect John Water's unique or off-beat views, his analysis of his role models and his own mind and life left me very impressed. Some chapters I had to listen to again a few times, just for his clever writing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

While John Waters was revealing his kind and interesting take on people or characters that influenced him. The most influential person revealed in this discussion was Mr. Waters himself.

What about John Waters’s performance did you like?

Entertaining narration. Like he was reading to me as I was trying to go to sleep. But certainly couldn't feel sleepy until he finished reading the entire book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Hearing his insights on "the talking cure."

Any additional comments?

Listing to it the second time let me focus on how well written it is as well as how well he performs as a narrator. If there are any chapters you don't like, skip ahead to the next chapter. The next topic will be very different and draw you right back in.

Typically John Waters

Entertaining.
Learned of interesting people I was unaware of. Not always things all people will agree on. Like some of his art that he has purchased. But thought provoking as always.

Sincere Portraits of Subversive Personalities

Sentimental, thoughtful, and provocative spotlights on the weird beautifully ugly people who inspired the hyper-literate Good Pervert John Waters. Just wonderful.