Customer Reviews

Shock Value: A Tasteful Book about Bad Taste

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I finished Shock Value only moments ago, and i feel like i should go to baltimore and fall on my knees worshipping Waters and the crew. i thought i was weird...This book focuses on the early years and has truly inspired me to raise myself above the boring muck of semiconformist existence. READ IT

I read this book in its french translation "Provocation" and it's one of the best I've ever read in the genre. It's funny, clever, sincere. I'm a big fan of Big John's work but reading this, I've discovered he was not only the king of bad taste but also a very moving person who's faithful in friendship and in his ideas. I can only recommend this maserpiece to anybody who's open-minded and wants to discover one of the most brilliant filmmaker of his generation.

John Waters, the man behind some of the trashiest, funniest, and most glamourous films in America's history has written a book about the making of his "American comedies." Filled with humourous anecdotes, the rantings of a madman, and everything you ever wanted to know about Divine (But were afraid to ask) is contained in Shock Value, the best book about filth that has ever been written. Pick it up today and shower yourself in the fabulousness of Trash Culture!!

This book was without a doubt the funniest book I've ever read. Naturally, readers familiar with his movies will get the most out of this book, but there's a lot in there even for those who can't sit through one of his movies. I especially like Waters's tales of his mischief as a lad attending Catholic school. Considering the time, his educational background, and the Baltimore environment, I can really understand how Waters turned out the way he did.

This book is impossible to describe in one word. It's no surprise that Water's life is funnier, and more bizare then any of his films can ever hope to be. We learn about Baltimore life, his childhood, Divine, Edith Masey, Pink Flamingos,Desperate Living,and more. THIS needs to be his next film project! The only thing sad about this book is that it feels dated at certain parts (especially when it refers to Divine in the present tense, since this was written before he died...and before Cookie Muller died...and Edith Masey). But it remains a fascinating read that really encourages people to feel grateful for living in Baltimore(or makes you wish you lived there).

Out of maybe a few hundred, this is probably the funniest book I have ever read. I remember reading it late at night in my parents house, trying to stifle my laughter so I wouldn't get in trouble for waking people up. "...a cry went up from the sleaze-mavens"

With this book, you could argue that John Waters is a better writer than he is a film maker.

Shock Value is like Waters' autobiography, mainly focused on his film career. There are only two chapters about his childhood. The book will be very interesting to every Waters fan as it provides in depth looks at the making of several of his earlier films. The book's material is dated, however, since it was written before he completed "Polyester". Waters' updates you in the new introduction though. It is very clean and has few curse words, unlike Waters' films, but is still good. I recommend it.

This book is an excellent insiders view on how some of the wierdest movies in history were made. Waters' takes us directly into his mind and doesn't let us leave. He provides the audience with a more than superficial insight into what makes his movies so hilarious. Waters daily obsessions are explained and you can do nothing but sit back and love them. His tales of him and his friends are so unique that one has to read his book to truly understand the term "juvenile delinquint." His tales of his movies are so unique that one has read the book to understand the term "adult delinquint."

Even if you're not a fan of John Waters' films, I don't think you could put down this fascinating book once you've started reading it. It details the bizarre productions of several of his films as well as his own personal pasttimes and obsessions (which are almost always hilariously deviant). If you only read one entertainment book this year...here it is! I also strongly recommend Crackpot and Trash Trio (a collection of screenplays), also written by John Waters. Happy Reading--Jeremy Gentry

If you've ever dreamed of living in the gutter or once did and wish to return. Don't make the voyage until you're completely sure of what lurks there. Water's craps a scatalogical glimpse of his life, partners in crime and career that will leave most readers repeating "It's only a book, it's only a book." White trash never smelt better