John Waters & the ‘Feel Bad’ Romance

John Waters (legendary filmmaker of the cult classic “Pink Flamingos” and blockbuster “Hairspray,” and author of “Carsick” and “Mr. Know-It-All”) has turned his brilliant mind to fiction: specifically his first novel and what he calls the “feel bad romance.” In “Liarmouth,” Waters employs his trademark combination of hilarity and obscenity, weaving a tangled tale of sex, crime, and family dysfunction, with main character Marsha Sprinkle (scammer, suitcase thief, master of disguise) at the helm. At Chicago Humanities Festival, Waters share his secrets for writing well in a transgressive way. He is joined in conversation by Chicago writer, musician, and filmmaker Richard Knight Jr.