Role Models

By: John Waters

Narrated by: John Waters

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)

Now I Know Just How Brilliant John Waters Is

This was an excellent book! I laughed out loud many times. Twice uncontrollably! I always knew that John Waters had a very unique viewpoint on the world, but now I can understand it. He will make you see the brilliance of the strange, the art of the odd, and the value in battling conformity.

Smutty But Funny

I don't know how he does it, but John Waters pushes the envelope further in each chapter he writes. Without a doubt, this is the most vulgar book I've ever read, but also very humorous and honest. Waters promotes, even celebrates what mainstream America disdains, and does it with profound joy and insight.

Thank you

For the insight to who inspires you and the why. Not taking anything at face value and asking the questions only you could have them answer. I love your use of you having roommates, who they are and why.

A great guide to a filthy mind

So much personal information. So creative, so validating. Now I have to buy the actual book so I can look at the footnotes and index to look up all this porn. Sigh.

Everything You’d Hope It Would Be

I have been a fan of John Waters’ work since I was probably too young to see it. If you’ve seen his movies, you’re already aware of his reverence for outcasts and proud eccentrics. This book provides real life examples of people who inspire John Waters to be John Waters- obscure authors, a porn director, Clarabell the Clown, Little Richard, and a Baltimore stripper. What else would you expect?

There are chapters of this book where Waters reflects with sincere pathos on individuals for whom you might not normally feel sympathy. A chapter concerning his friendship with Leslie van Houten stuck with me long after it ended. Other chapters- which aren’t appropriate to recap here, had me cackling like a crazy person while I listened on headphones.

Waters comes across here as funny, warm, insightful, kind, and gleefully perverted...all the things you’d suspect he would be if you’re familiar with his work. I’ve listened to a ton of audiobooks and this is one of the few I know I’ll absolutely listen to again. If you have any interest in John Waters, don’t pass up this book, just buy it. It really is that good.