The premise of the book is great and the author really delivers. Great read. Highly recommended. .

A Fine Treat for Fans

"Personality disorders are a terrible thing to waste."

"Let me set you straight. Whatever you might have heard, there is absolutely no downside to being famous. None at all."

I think John Waters is a meta-culture god so this won't be the most unbiased review. Actually, it won't be a "review" at all. I'll just point out the highlights of what you'll get if you try this.

While individual chapters tend to have some sort of focus, or theme, this book is pretty by the seat of the pants. The book reads as though it was just spoken directly from Waters onto the page, maybe with some editing and tightening along the way. This isn't dry or sober. It feels like you're sitting down with Waters and listening while he tells stories and reminisces. This is good and bad, since you can get too much of some things , (movie making details and deals), and not enough of other things.

We start out with some introductory basics. Then we move on to the stories behind the production of his best known movies, ("Hairspray", "Crybaby"). After that, in no particular rank or order, we consider the ups and downs of fame, music, sex, food, drugs, travel, performing, and getting old. That's not a bad list.

So, some of this is fascinating, some is way more detailed than I needed, but most is at least interesting. That was enough for me.

(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

What else needs to be said about John Waters that hasn't already been said? He's like your favorite relative to hang out with at a family reunion because you know he'll have the very best stories and wittiest observations. He's seen it all, knows everyone and doesn't give a @*#! about what anyone thinks about him. I loved this memoir, which is the next best thing to hanging out with Elder Waters himself. When he says "We’re in a club of sorts, the lunatic fringe who are proud to band together." it's a club I want to join. For fans of his films, this book is a must.

This is the most fun I've had with a book in a very, very long time.

I could give a longer review, but it's not necessary. Come for John Waters, stay for John Waters, laugh with John Waters.

Mr. Know-It-All: The Tarnished Wisdom of A Filth Elder
by John Waters
due 5-21-2019
Farrar
5.0 / 5.0

This essay collection is about John Waters life choices and how to get through life without losing your abject originality we all possess. Waters wit, humor and honesty are in full-swing and that is why I loved this, and him. He cast Divine, Mink Stole, Tab Hunter!
This Know-It-All want you to know it all- a must read in a sea of maybes.
Thanks to the publisher for this e-book ARC for review.
#netgalley #MrKnowItAll

John Waters is the....filthy, gay godmother I always wanted. He's full of sass and does not mince words...about anything. And what a way to be. If we could all just do a little of this - maybe we wouldn't be living in the nightmare that we are.

Mr. Know-It-All reads as a series of essays - from success with Hairspray to advice on making it in show biz - John Waters has an opinion and a story.

Fabulously funny and surprisingly poignant - I loved it.

Thanks to NetGally, the publisher and the Pope of Trash, John Waters for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I'm a fan of Mr Waters and I think this book is a must read if you want something that it's brilliant and funny.
I laughed out loud and enjoyed.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I will say I am like some of John Waters works so I am going into this book thinking it was going be to a clean story but this one was way to much for me. If you are ok with a lot of sexual detail then read it if not move on.

I have been a fan of John Waters since I was a teenager! He is the King of Filth! I love how he views the world. I love reading anything he writes! Now we just need a new movie!

I love John Waters, and Serial Mom is one of my favorite films. This is an amazing book that every public library in America should carry. John Waters is hilarious. He loves books. He has a beautiful filthy mind. Recommend.

There is only one John Waters, and he chooses to present his memoir in the form of a "how-to-be-me" advice column. Life, death and "Chutes and Ladders board game known as show business." He covers it all. It's fair to say he doesn't suffer fools lightly, but is also the best kind of friend to those he holds dear, providing opportunity for what could probably be called outsiders and in whom he recognizes gold. Much as he likes to smash hypocrisy with his outlaw personna, underneath he really is a mensch. There were places I laughed out loud (calling 50 Cent "...the Donald Trump-meets-Chick-fil-A of rap").

Ive been a fan or Waters from day one and have read all of his previous books. This one is a departure—more a how to guide to succeed in the modern world without sacrificing your individuality. Buttressed by tales of his movie making and home life, this memoir/how to is fascinating reading for anyone — not just Waters fans. Highly Reccommended.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review. I was initially confused by this book. I thought it was going to be an advice book, but that’s not what this book is. I’d consider this a collection of essays on whatever John Waters felt like writing that say. He does provide a behind the scenes look at the making of some of his films and there’s a chapter about music that I adored and would love to have read more.

As a long time fan of John Waters I could not wait to read this book.This is an intimate book of essays proving he is multi layered sharing with us his life’s path,.Itbis emotional honest open highly recommend.#netgalley #fsg

I was not very familiar with John Waters before I read this book. Safe to say, I know quite a bit more now! I enjoyed the back story for his films and Provincetown. I also found the piece on Christmas Trees to be hilarious!. I was a little confused on the inclusion of the Andy Warhol chapter, but, overall, I really enjoyed this memoir! Thanks to #netgalley for the advance copy.

Irreverant ~ Well-written ~ Charming ~ Relevant

tl;dr: Memoir of John Waters is actually basically a book about life

John Waters is an old fav of mine. So, that his book would be extraordinary didn't surprise me. However, what surprised me was how relevant this book felt. That a man who started out making outsider movies in Baltimore could speak to me, an asian woman about 40 years younger, highlights the depth of the book. In a series of short essays, Waters talks about his career, but also about loss, about coming to terms with aging, love, jealousy, and regret. His book is really for anyone who wants a well-written, thoughful memoir about life. (And, if you happen to think Pink Flamingos is hilarious, you double win.) I love John Waters, sure, so I'm biased. But, honestly, I challenge any lover of memoir to try this one. They will thoroughly enjoy it, and if not, well, they can jump off a bridge (though I would guess John Waters has more colorful terms for what they could do.)