Role Models

Here, from the incomparable John Waters, is a paean to the power of subversive inspiration that will delight, amuse, enrich--and happily horrify--readers everywhere. Role Models is, in fact, a 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 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.

Here, from the incomparable John Waters, is a paean to the power of subversive inspiration that will delight, amuse, enrich—and happily horrify readers everywhere.

Role Models is, in fact, a 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 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.

The Washington Post - Jonathan Yardley

…[Waters] pays tribute to various men and women who in one way or another helped him become the man he is. If that inspires you to murmur, "Thanks a lot but no thanks," well, you're entitled, but Waters is a greater National Treasure than 90 percent of the people who are given "Kennedy Center Honors" each December. Unlike those gray eminences of the show-business establishment, Waters doesn't kowtow to the received wisdom, he flips it the bird…He has the ability to show humanity at its most ridiculous and make that funny rather than repellent.

Here, From The Incomparable John Waters, Is A Paean To The Power Of Subversive Inspiration That Will Delight, Amuse, Enrich--and Happily Horrify Readers Everywhere. This Book Is, In Fact, A Self-portrait Told Through Intimate Profiles Of Favorite Personalities--some Famous, Some Unknown, Some Surprisingly Middle-of-the-road. From Esther Martin, The Owner Of The Scariest Bar In Baltimore, To Playwright Tennessee Williams; From Atheist Leader Madalyn Murray O'hair To Insane Martyr Saint Catherine Of Siena; From English Novelist Denton Welch To Timeless Singer Johnny Mathis, These Are The Figures That Helped The Author Form His Own Brand Of Neurotic Happiness.--from Publisher Description. Johnny And Me -- The Kindness Of Strangers -- Leslie -- Rei Kawakubo -- Baltimore Heroes -- Bookworm -- Little Richard, Happy At Last -- Outsider Porn -- Roommates -- Cult Leader. John Waters. Includes Bibliographical References. Here, from the incomparable John Waters, is a paean to the power of subversive inspiration that will delight, amuse, enrich--and happily horrify readers everywhere. Role Models is, in fact, a 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 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. "Here, from the incomparable John Waters, is a paean to the power of subversive inspiration that will delight, amuse, enrich--and happily horrify readers everywhere. This book is, in fact, a self-portrait told through intimate profiles of favorite personalities--some famous, some unknown, some surprisingly middle-of-the-road. From Esther Martin, the owner of the scariest bar in Baltimore, to playwright Tennessee Williams; from atheist leader Madalyn Murray O'Hair to insane martyr Saint Catherine of Siena; from English novelist Denton Welch to timeless singer Johnny Mathis, these are the figures that helped the author form his own brand of neurotic happiness."--Back cover Examines the life, personality, and humor of American filmmaker John Waters, covering his work, often described as subversive, with various infamous figures from the world of popular culture and entertainment