In this self-portrait, told through intimate literary profiles of his favourite personalities, John Waters invites readers to appreciate those who helped him form his own brand of neurotic happiness; singer Johnny Mathis, Comme Des Garcons founder Rei Kawakubo, actress Patty McCormack, writers Tennessee Williams, Lionel Shriver, Denton Welch and Ivy Compton-Burnett, insane martyr Saint Catherine of Siena, ex-Manson follower Leslie van Houten, lesbian stripper Zorro, artist Cy Twombly and outsider pornographers Bobby Garcia and David Hurles.

From the famous to the unknown, the sublime to the extreme, Role Models is a personal invitation into one of the most unique, perverse and hilarious minds of our time.

“John Waters is a man always ready and willing to say the unsayable. He is the dark mirror of contemporary culture. From haute couture to low culture, from literary outsiders to lapsed actors, he delivers razor-sharp pen portraits of the women and men who have perverted and inspired him by turns. Role Models is as much a philosophical manifesto as it is an utterly hilarious and shamelessly entertaining read.” – Philip Hoare, author of Leviathan or, The Whale

“John Waters is a dandy who has created a new world that conforms only to his own taste for trash and the sublime. He is frank, funny, and (strangely enough) both sensible and outrageous.” – Edmund White, author of City Boy

“The Hairspray director John Waters proves he is still delightfully disgraceful.” – Independent on Sunday (Books of the Year)

“Outrageously funny. Waters is more than a cult movie auteur; he is a great American ironist.” – Sunday Telegraph (Books of the Year)

“His writing feels stealthy and surprising, full of solitary devotion and delight.” – Daily Telegraph

“Rich with wonderful insight.” – Empire Magazine

“A bible. A copy should be found in every seedy motel drawer.” – Gay Times

“Very funny and strangely affectionate.” – Metro

“Entertaining but heartfelt, this is an insight into what the Pope of Trash truly treasures.” – Grazia

John Waters is a filmmaker, actor, writer and visual artist best known for his cult films, including Hairspray, Pink Flamingos and Cecil B. DeMented. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

ISBN: 9781907616624

Published 10th June 2010

£8.99

John Waters will be appearing at the Hay Festival of Literature on 28th May 2011 and the Bristol Festival of Ideas on 27th May 2011.