Edgewise: A Picture of Cookie Mueller

Fascinating glimpse into the life of Cookie Mueller and the creative milieu from which she sprang. That last part needs clarification: Prior to codification of punk rock culture, proto-punks, such as Baltimore's Dreamland rich and bizarre cast of characters, wrote their own rules -- whether in Baltimore, Provincetown or NYC. One overriding aesthetic: Offend the boring middle class. Mueller's anarchic life reveals middle class upbringing, brief interaction with the Manson Family, bohemian life in John Waters' world, goddess of Village underground No-Wave scene, dope peddler extraordinaire WHILE writing "Ask Dr. Mueller" for the East Village Eye, mother to a son, wife to an AIDS victim and victim herself of AIDS, leading to her death in show more 1989. While the focus remains on Mueller, told through "Edie"-styled oral-anecdotal-biography, the scenery along the way provides a gripping account of a life constantly on the edge -- bohemia incarnate. show less

A very thorough examination of Cookie Mueller and the many scenes she was a part of and influenced. Composed of mostly gratuitous information about how Cookie was well liked (and very well protected) by her friends. I liked this book but there was a lot of reading between the lines. I do appreciate that all these people who are seen as deviant horrifying satan worshipers spoke so candidly but never tried to throw her under the bus. This is how you write a memoir that is respectful and honest.

Highlights:
- Cookie actually tried to name her son Noodles
- Her son Max is baby Noodles in Pink Flamingos
- John Waters is a hilarious voyeur
- She and a friend were riding on a bus when a dude pulled out his dick and started jerking to them so show more Cookie puked on his dick to make him stop show less

A very thorough examination of Cookie Mueller and the many scenes she was a part of and influenced. Composed of mostly gratuitous information about how Cookie was well liked (and very well protected) by her friends. I liked this book but there was a lot of reading between the lines. I do appreciate that all these people who are seen as deviant horrifying satan worshipers spoke so candidly but never tried to throw her under the bus. This is how you write a memoir that is respectful and honest.

Highlights:
- Cookie actually tried to name her son Noodles
- Her son Max is baby Noodles in Pink Flamingos
- John Waters is a hilarious voyeur
- She and a friend were riding on a bus when a dude pulled out his dick and started jerking to them so show more Cookie puked on his dick to make him stop show less