Not what I was expecting but it was OK
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I was disappointed with this book. I expected a diverse mixture of short stories about life in San Francisco and got a serialised novel which went on about 100 pages too long.
The book is an interesting view of the 70s but ending up feeling a bit boring.
All the way through the author seemed to want to shock the reader and I'm sure it did shock the readers when it was published. Reading it now felt as though the style was dated and, consequently, the book felt rather irrelevant.
There were some very clever techniques used to try to gently feed into the subject under discussion and they were interesting to spot. However, I won't be reading more of Armistead Maupin.
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Wolverhampton Libraries LGBT Reading Group Review
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This book (the winner of The 2005 Big Gay Read, incidentally) is fondly regarded as a nostalgic romp through heady, carefree times before the threat of HIV and AIDS changed gay society irrevocably. Some readers had read this book before and enjoyed the opportunity to read it (and the rest of the series) again.
The story is compiled of short `episodes' and quite a large cast of characters to keep up with - most of whom, it turns out, are linked to each other; usually romantically. Some readers found it a bit hard to keep up with the conversations these characters have because of the way Maupin `lists' their dialogue.
The mystery side of Maupin's tales is often overlooked in the right-ups (in this case Norman Neal Williams and his sinister pastimes) but they certainly add an aspect of drama that might otherwise leave these stories as just light `sex and shopping' fiction.
The group recommends More Tales of the City as a compliment to this first volume.
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Masterful comic soap
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Centred on 28 Barbary Lane, San Francisco, the home of Anna Madrigal, Tales of the City chronicles the day to day life of Mrs Madrigal and her assorted tenants, along with their friends and colleagues. The eccentric Mrs Madrigal considers her residents as her family, leaves them notes accompanied by a joint and serves brownies suitably fortified. The residents include twenty five year old Mary Anne, a naïve young secretary newly arrived from Cleveland; Mona, a successful copywriter working for ad agency Halcyon Communications; Brian Hawkins, a randy waiter and one time lawyer in his thirties; and Michael (Mouse) Tolliver, a thoroughly likeable lively gay twink. Among the friends and colleagues, and very much part of the story are Edgar Halcyon, head of Halcyon Communications; and Beauchamp Day, his promiscuous son-in-law and business partner; along with their respective wives. By a remarkable series of coincidences the lives of residents, friends and acquaintances connect and interweave to comic effect.
Their escapades range from the devious to the outrageous, ruthless to movingly caring; their sexual interests/orientation from straight to gay, and not always necessarily consistent; the whole providing an hilarious and touching account full of adventure.
A thoroughly entertaining, funny and fast moving read, with some endearing and very likeable characters, I highly recommended it; and very much look forward to the subsequent developments in the many sequels.
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A warm but not over paced novel
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Tales of the City is a novel that gently guides the reader through thetwists and turns of life in San Franscisco. Though the plot is gentle,and rairly rushed, the characters provide enough detail and colour to keepthe pages turning.
The story is spun through a myriad of mysteries and individual tales ofthe people involved, all cummulating in a splendid finale. Though most ofthe secrets are unravelled, the book still leaves enough unansweredquestions for the reader to want to delve into the next book in theseries.
I really enjoyed this book, it is a warm and colourful view of SanFrancisco in the 1970's, the characters are each unique in their ownright, yet all are brought together by the themes exposed during theirdaily lives.
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Brilliant! Charming! Eccentric! A camp adventure!
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My son has ADD and so has not been able to read a book all the way through since a teenager. I let him borrow this fantastic novel and he quite literally sat down and read it from cover to cover in a matter of hours. Not only is Tales of the City a witty, charming and altogether satisfying read but it has also kick-started my son's interest in books again. No one but Armistead Maupin can do this. He weaves a quite delightful story, that is both touching and hilarious. The coincidences come thick and fast but never do you get a sense of them stretching credibility. He really makes you believe in the characters, you want to believe they exist and are not just fictional people. You want to find 28 Barbary Lane on a San Francisco road map and drop by for a cup of Ginseng Tea or perhaps hope to be invited to one of Mrs Madrigal's late night soirees. Tales of the City is a modern masterpiece. It's magical, spellbinding and will take you on an adventure you will never forget. I can't rate it highly enough. Armistead, you are a genius!
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