I have to admit, I have a very dry, quirky sense of humor. I love sarcasm and a dry wit but not much slap stick comedy. I received an audio book to review by American filmaker, actor and writer John Waters and with his history of humorous films like Hairspray, and Pink Flamingos, I knew I was in for a treat. I was not wrong.
Carsick: John Waters hitchhikes across America
Audio CD
Publisher: Macmillan Audio; Unabridged edition (June 3, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1427243935
Overview:
A cross-country hitchhiking journey with America’s most beloved weirdo
John Waters is putting his life on the line. Armed with wit, a pencil-thin mustache, and a cardboard sign that reads “I’m Not Psycho,” he hitchhikes across America from Baltimore to San Francisco, braving lonely roads and treacherous drivers. But who should we be more worried about, the delicate film director with genteel manners or the unsuspecting travelers transporting the Pope of Trash?
Before he leaves for this bizarre adventure, Waters fantasizes about the best and worst possible scenarios: a friendly drug dealer hands over piles of cash to finance films with no questions asked, a demolition-derby driver makes a filthy sexual request in the middle of a race, a gun-toting drunk terrorizes and holds him hostage, and a Kansas vice squad entraps and throws him in jail. So what really happens when this cult legend sticks out his thumb and faces the open road? His real-life rides include a gentle eighty-one-year-old farmer who is convinced Waters is a hobo, an indie band on tour, and the perverse filmmaker’s unexpected hero: a young, sandy-haired Republican in a Corvette.
Laced with subversive humor and warm intelligence, Carsick is an unforgettable vacation with a wickedly funny companion—and a celebration of America’s weird, astonishing, and generous citizenry.
My Thoughts: I have to say that one of the best things I love about an audio book is when the author reads it. They can do an awesome job reading because they wrote the book, know it inside and out, and know what they want to convey. The voice inflections that you get with the author reading really makes an impact on an audio book. John Waters chose to read this audio book and I think that it makes this story all the more enjoyable.
One of the first things you listen to is the prologue in this book. Mr. Waters uses that space to really tell you why he wants to embark on this cross country journey. It proves to be a witty look at what is to come later in the story.
This book is broken into 3 parts. This you have to know because the first two parts are his dreams/fantasies/fears/nightmares, or whatever you want to call it. He looks at what this hitchhiking journey can be – The Worst Part and the Best Part. These sections offer hilarious mental images I think we have all thought about from movies and our own nightmares or scary stories your mother conjured up. Crazy people that will pick you up and give you the ride of a lifetime… maybe they are drug dealers on the run. People of questionable sexuality or even Patty Hearst may be along for the ride. LOL The third part of the book is the actual travel notes and his take of the trip overall.
This book is full of funny innuendo, pop culture and literary references even I had to look up plus a lot of insight to the mind of the writer. Mr. Waters is an excellent story teller and this book is full of his racy thoughts and situations that could occur on the road while hitchhiking that lend itself to a funny read. I love audio books and thankfully my son is old enough that I did not have to worry about him hearing some of the parts, but this is definitely not a book to be listened to with children of any age around.
I enjoyed listening to this book overall, but the best parts of the book are straight out of the writers quirky imagination. Might make a funny movie someday!
Disclaimer: Affiliate links may be included. Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
When I saw the title of this post, my first thought was “I hope John Waters is the reader!” I don’t think this would be the same in anyone else’s voice. And although I’m not a big fan of many of his movies, I do like the man himself. Thanks for this review–Carsick is now on my list.
This really sounds good. I’ve seen John Waters on talk shows and he’s hilarious. I’m sure this is no different. I’ll be looking for this one.
I am like you I love sarcasm and dry wit. I have never heard an audio book read by the author that sounds like a dream come true. I just started a new audio book yesterday and I love the author Linda Howard but the reader is just killing me. She sounds like she is reading an instruction manual she sounds like a robot. I am trying to hang in there because I love the author’s books but she should not be having this woman read any of them ever! This audio book Carsick sounds like one I would enjoy I cracked up when I read that he held a sign that read “I am not psycho” I will have to check it out thanks for another wonderful review.
Happy Father’s Day.