For a man with such a reputation for being "filthy, perverse, trashy, etc., etc., etc.", this book ggives the reader a delightful gllimpse into his bouyant and often child like mind. Whether raving over meeting with Pia Zadora, listing the events of a truly hellish day, or giving a guided tour of Los Angeles as only he can, he guides the reader along in a cheerful skip, full of bounce and frolick.

Even for one who's unfamiliar with his films, this book is a light, quick read sure to entertain and provide laughs, crating a vivid and lovable image of the man known to so many as "The Prince Of Puke"

Waters writes a witty and acerbic prose, which conveys genuine passion for his obsessions, obsessions which include trials, the National Enquirer, Woody Allen's Interiors, dangerous candy, menthol cigarettes, and Christmas. His preferred methods seem to be the catalogue and the reminiscence: Waters' list of 101 things he hates, and 101 things he loves, are obsessive ruminations on the everyday, and Waters' methodical survey of his everyday touches gives new meaning to the sublime *and* the ridiculous. Most memorable to me, perhaps, is his LA Tour, a pre-OJ intinerary of murder, mayhem, and showbiz, and his loving tribute to the Enquirer. But his celebration of William Castle, or shame-faced coming out as a fan of avant garde, his ritualistic account of Christmas and his loving descriptions of his interests, home, and personal history all make for a case study of obsession that feels both candid and arch, in Waters' inimitable, and paradoxical way. If you read it once, you're going to read it again.

John Waters does a fine job of presenting the story of Juan Rubio. Charles Evans is such an all-round great character. We are able to view a human side to these characters.

Now we wait with anticipation the sequel. Please, John, let there be a sequel!

CONNIE: "Oh, I love you Raymond! I love you more than anything in the whole world. I love you even more than my own filthiness, more than my hair color. Oh God, I love you more than the sound of bones breaking, the sound of the death rattle..."

RAYMOND: "And I, Connie, also love you more than anything I could imagine - more than my hair color, more than the sound of babies crying, dogs dying, even more than the thought of original sin itself. I am yours, Connie, eternally united to you through an invisible cord of finely woven filth that even God Himself could never, ever break."

"Desperate Living" is a modern day fairy tale in which an obese maid accidentally kills the husband of the neurotic socialite she works for. Rather than face a trial and possible prison time, they escape to a bizarre village in the forest known as Mortville. In the book, John Waters vividly describes the place and its residents. "Everything is made out of trash and garbage, including the houses. Hideous bums, perverts and psychopaths walk the street as...leather-clad Goons patrol the street harassing the pitiful citizens. In the distance we see a fairy-tale castle." Queen Carlotta is a ruthless monarch, living in opulent splendor while her squalid subjects starve. The power of the printed word was such that, immediately after reading that screenplay, I had to watch the movie again.

The real treasure in this trash trio is the screenplay for "Flamingos Forever," the never filmed sequel to "Pink Flamingos." The action takes place fifteen years after the end of the previous story. Babs Johnson, Crackers, Cotton and Edie the Egg Lady return to Baltimore as the Divine leaders of a filth cult. The late Connie Marble's sister, Vera, is married to Wilbur Venninger, a necrophiliac who owns a funeral home. The Venningers kidnap young children and force them to drink, smoke and shoot heroin. Vera claims to be the filthiest person alive, and sees Babs Johnson as the biggest threat to her title. Vera Venninger's rivalry with, seeming victory over and ultimate defeat to Babs comprises the rest of the story. What a shame that most of the actors in the original movie had passed away by the time this was written, and the sequel will never be filmed.

Greg Norman's career started as an amateur taking shots at rock'n'roll concerts. He went on to document the protest era, film work in Los Angeles and portraiture. Always showing a fine sense of the moment, his images breathe with life. He works almost entirely in black and white, creating strong, graphic prints.

I love the perfect contrast of a shot of the Barbi Twins, the incredible expression on a photo of Nina Hagen, the frequent glimpses of Keanu Reeves, and many, many others. "Inside Life" has about 175 beautifully printed photographs in it, and very little distracting text. There is a foreword by John Waters, an introduction by Dave Fulton, and a short afterthoughts section for reflections from some of his subjects.

"Inside Life" is a remarkable testimony to the work of one of America's notable photographers during the 90's. It has value as a source of inspiration for other photographers as well as being a beautiful coffee table book.

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

I gave it only four stars because a truly great book has interesting ideas in addition to an interesting plot. In truth, I would have given it 4.5 stars if that was an option.

Straley's books are all consistently fun to read. The earlier novels are more rich with Native American folklore. This one has an intricate plot that keeps twisting this way and that all of the way until the end.

Read this book now. You won't be sorry.

It was quite obvious to me that John used his latest novel not only to entertain his readers, but to tip his hat to the people of Sitka who have provided him such good material and, more importantly, friendship over the past many years.

Many of the positive side characters and a few of the main ones in this latest novel are John's friends and neighbors. If not in total, at least enough to convey a "tip of the hat" from John to them. While this is not unique to this book or John as a writer, he references so many local people and in such a way that reading the book was like watching him shake hands and pat the backs of his fellow Sitkans.

I hope readers are able to pick up on this and that it allows them to feel perhaps even more immeresed in the Sitka by the Sea John describes so well.