John Waters

The cult film director of such productions as Hairspray and Pink Flamingos presents irreverent literary profiles of the figures who influenced his life and work, from martyr Saint Catherine of Siena to English novelist Denton Welch.

Role Models

Jeannette Ordas

I like John Waters views on things and even on subjects that I'm not familiar with, he's full of enlightening information. A fun read. 3.5 stars.

Alex Buchner

John is at his best when he's writing about people he knows very well. The chapters about Johnny Mathis, Little Richard and Tennessee Williams are funny and excellent reading, as is the chapter about his relationship with Leslie Van Houten, which is actually really moving and a thoughtful meditation on criminality and culpability.

 Essential reading for fans of "The Pope of Trash".

annalyse! 

Faye Alhadeff

Annie Sollinger

Dean Peterson

Role Models is a wild and witty self-portrait of John Waters, America's 'Pope of Trash', told through intimate profiles of his favourite 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 John Waters form his own brand of neurotic happiness. A paean to the power of subversive inspiration that delights, amuses and happily horrifies in equal measure...

Role Models

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