Still on Form, 22 Sep 2008
Could this book live up to the wonderful Tales of the City series? I approached it half-expecting a let-down. Well this book certainly isn't a let-down though it is different in style. Maupin has a real gift for creating a world, however weird, that you can believe in. He populates that world with eccentric but loveable characters that you really care about. Although the book is essentially light and humorous, Maupin, as before, manages to illuminate deeper human issues with tenderness and emotion but still with a wry smile. In this book death, loss of various types, love between older and younger and aging (to list but a few) all have a gentle light shed upon them. In the best sense an "easy read" because he writes so beautifully. A lovely book that I could not put down.

Lacking in fun, 15 Aug 2008
Having read and been a real fan of "The Tales of the City" books and TV programme I was really looking forward to this book.

This book is truly awful. It lacks the humour and wit of the original books and it is spoiled by only being told in the first person. It is quite bitchy and unnecessarily graphic.When the author has to resort to graphic sex descriptions to pad out the story then it is time for him to pack up.

Very disappointing. Another book destined for the charity shop.


Just when i thought all was lost, 15 Aug 2008
I stumbled upon this accidentally about 2 years after i had read the "Tales of the City" series and it was like bumping in to an old friend! After the disappointment of reaching the end of the original series......it turned out it was just career break. Maupin delivers yet another fabulous novel that makes you laugh and cry within the space of just a couple of pages.
Expect the usual emotional roller coaster of course and visits from a few old friends.
This is part of a series of books that, although timeless, i wish would never end.


The return of Micheal Mouse, 29 Jul 2008
Fans of Armistead Maupin's 'Tales of the City' will be eager to find out what became of Michael Tolliver and the rest of the crazy characters from San Francisco. This book is quite a departure from the TotC series because it is written in the first person and therefore we really hear Michael's voice for the first time (although to be honest I wasn't sure if I was hearing Michael's voice, or just the author's, since their lives seem to share many similarities). Furthermore this book is mostly about Michael - there are just brief updates on the others (only Anna, Brian and Shawna play much of a part). Nevertheless this is an easy, fun read, outrageously rude in places and absolutely hilarious in others. If you haven't read any of the Tales of the City series, you're better off starting with those (and you're in for a treat).

Back to the city!, 25 Jul 2008
As a novel its quite a good story and well written but the key success for me was I found I was visiting friends again that I didn't know I'd missed so much. It was great having these characters alive and hearing them speak again as the original "Tales" books were so much fun to read. Maupins greatest success is in creating characters we really care about and thats why it gets five stars not for the story but the thrill of Anna, Mouse, Brian etc being brought back to me.

Still on Form, 22 Sep 2008
Could this book live up to the wonderful Tales of the City series? I approached it half-expecting a let-down. Well this book certainly isn't a let-down though it is different in style. Maupin has a real gift for creating a world, however weird, that you can believe in. He populates that world with eccentric but loveable characters that you really care about. Although the book is essentially light and humorous, Maupin, as before, manages to illuminate deeper human issues with tenderness and emotion but still with a wry smile. In this book death, loss of various types, love between older and younger and aging (to list but a few) all have a gentle light shed upon them. In the best sense an "easy read" because he writes so beautifully. A lovely book that I could not put down.

Lacking in fun, 15 Aug 2008
Having read and been a real fan of "The Tales of the City" books and TV programme I was really looking forward to this book.

This book is truly awful. It lacks the humour and wit of the original books and it is spoiled by only being told in the first person. It is quite bitchy and unnecessarily graphic.When the author has to resort to graphic sex descriptions to pad out the story then it is time for him to pack up.

Very disappointing. Another book destined for the charity shop.


Just when i thought all was lost, 15 Aug 2008
I stumbled upon this accidentally about 2 years after i had read the "Tales of the City" series and it was like bumping in to an old friend! After the disappointment of reaching the end of the original series......it turned out it was just career break. Maupin delivers yet another fabulous novel that makes you laugh and cry within the space of just a couple of pages.
Expect the usual emotional roller coaster of course and visits from a few old friends.
This is part of a series of books that, although timeless, i wish would never end.


The return of Micheal Mouse, 29 Jul 2008
Fans of Armistead Maupin's 'Tales of the City' will be eager to find out what became of Michael Tolliver and the rest of the crazy characters from San Francisco. This book is quite a departure from the TotC series because it is written in the first person and therefore we really hear Michael's voice for the first time (although to be honest I wasn't sure if I was hearing Michael's voice, or just the author's, since their lives seem to share many similarities). Furthermore this book is mostly about Michael - there are just brief updates on the others (only Anna, Brian and Shawna play much of a part). Nevertheless this is an easy, fun read, outrageously rude in places and absolutely hilarious in others. If you haven't read any of the Tales of the City series, you're better off starting with those (and you're in for a treat).

Back to the city!, 25 Jul 2008
As a novel its quite a good story and well written but the key success for me was I found I was visiting friends again that I didn't know I'd missed so much. It was great having these characters alive and hearing them speak again as the original "Tales" books were so much fun to read. Maupins greatest success is in creating characters we really care about and thats why it gets five stars not for the story but the thrill of Anna, Mouse, Brian etc being brought back to me.

Not what I was expecting but it was OK, 09 Oct 2008
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.

Wolverhampton Libraries LGBT Reading Group Review, 11 Oct 2007
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.

Masterful comic soap, 16 Jun 2007
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.





A warm but not over paced novel, 27 Apr 2004
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.

Brilliant! Charming! Eccentric! A camp adventure!, 29 Feb 2004
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!

Still on Form, 22 Sep 2008
Could this book live up to the wonderful Tales of the City series? I approached it half-expecting a let-down. Well this book certainly isn't a let-down though it is different in style. Maupin has a real gift for creating a world, however weird, that you can believe in. He populates that world with eccentric but loveable characters that you really care about. Although the book is essentially light and humorous, Maupin, as before, manages to illuminate deeper human issues with tenderness and emotion but still with a wry smile. In this book death, loss of various types, love between older and younger and aging (to list but a few) all have a gentle light shed upon them. In the best sense an "easy read" because he writes so beautifully. A lovely book that I could not put down.

Lacking in fun, 15 Aug 2008
Having read and been a real fan of "The Tales of the City" books and TV programme I was really looking forward to this book.

This book is truly awful. It lacks the humour and wit of the original books and it is spoiled by only being told in the first person. It is quite bitchy and unnecessarily graphic.When the author has to resort to graphic sex descriptions to pad out the story then it is time for him to pack up.

Very disappointing. Another book destined for the charity shop.


Just when i thought all was lost, 15 Aug 2008
I stumbled upon this accidentally about 2 years after i had read the "Tales of the City" series and it was like bumping in to an old friend! After the disappointment of reaching the end of the original series......it turned out it was just career break. Maupin delivers yet another fabulous novel that makes you laugh and cry within the space of just a couple of pages.
Expect the usual emotional roller coaster of course and visits from a few old friends.
This is part of a series of books that, although timeless, i wish would never end.


The return of Micheal Mouse, 29 Jul 2008
Fans of Armistead Maupin's 'Tales of the City' will be eager to find out what became of Michael Tolliver and the rest of the crazy characters from San Francisco. This book is quite a departure from the TotC series because it is written in the first person and therefore we really hear Michael's voice for the first time (although to be honest I wasn't sure if I was hearing Michael's voice, or just the author's, since their lives seem to share many similarities). Furthermore this book is mostly about Michael - there are just brief updates on the others (only Anna, Brian and Shawna play much of a part). Nevertheless this is an easy, fun read, outrageously rude in places and absolutely hilarious in others. If you haven't read any of the Tales of the City series, you're better off starting with those (and you're in for a treat).

Back to the city!, 25 Jul 2008
As a novel its quite a good story and well written but the key success for me was I found I was visiting friends again that I didn't know I'd missed so much. It was great having these characters alive and hearing them speak again as the original "Tales" books were so much fun to read. Maupins greatest success is in creating characters we really care about and thats why it gets five stars not for the story but the thrill of Anna, Mouse, Brian etc being brought back to me.

Not what I was expecting but it was OK, 09 Oct 2008
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.

Wolverhampton Libraries LGBT Reading Group Review, 11 Oct 2007
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.

Masterful comic soap, 16 Jun 2007
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.





A warm but not over paced novel, 27 Apr 2004
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.

Brilliant! Charming! Eccentric! A camp adventure!, 29 Feb 2004
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!

Every bit as good as the Tales of the City, 28 Jun 2007
More Tales of the City maintains the standard set in the first book as the coincidences become more bizarre and the characters reveal more of their secrets. Of the latter Anna Madrigal has some real shockers; but there is a shock of a different kind in store for the adorable Michael Tolliver; and yet another for the insufferable Beauchamp. But before that Mary Anne and the Michael go on a cruise together and neither returns empty handed. We meet some new characters and some of the old ones play a bigger part.
Very funny and entertaining, with some amateur sleuthing which involves several of the residents of 28 Barbary Lane keeping us guessing to the end, this is a most enjoyable read.


Essential if you've read Tales of the City., 08 Jan 2001
The second in the Tales series picks up where the first leaves off, and we welcome back all the residents of 28 Barbary Lane. Again, Maupin's style is the breezy, chatty short-chapter, presumably a result from the stories originally being featured in the SF Chronicle, and again he captures the flavour of 1970's San Francisco perfectly. If you liked the first book, you'll love this. If you didn't, steer clear.

A funny follow-up, 10 May 2000
Great stuff - I was dying to read this after the wonderful roller-coaster of the first volume and wasn't disappointed. The coincidences abounded, some a bit far fetched but which I can go with, and believe them - characterisation was spot on (apart from Burke - too silly and bizarre and the storyline plain daft - but he was portrayed as barking, which he is!) Nice chapter lengths and interesting chapter headings - reminds me of my E M Forster 'A' level studies. I love it.

Hysterical follow-up to "Tales of the City", 13 Mar 2000
Once again Maupin gives us a glimpse into the lives of the residents of 28 Barbary Lane.

Brilliantly written and extremely funny.

Still on Form, 22 Sep 2008
Could this book live up to the wonderful Tales of the City series? I approached it half-expecting a let-down. Well this book certainly isn't a let-down though it is different in style. Maupin has a real gift for creating a world, however weird, that you can believe in. He populates that world with eccentric but loveable characters that you really care about. Although the book is essentially light and humorous, Maupin, as before, manages to illuminate deeper human issues with tenderness and emotion but still with a wry smile. In this book death, loss of various types, love between older and younger and aging (to list but a few) all have a gentle light shed upon them. In the best sense an "easy read" because he writes so beautifully. A lovely book that I could not put down.

Lacking in fun, 15 Aug 2008
Having read and been a real fan of "The Tales of the City" books and TV programme I was really looking forward to this book.

This book is truly awful. It lacks the humour and wit of the original books and it is spoiled by only being told in the first person. It is quite bitchy and unnecessarily graphic.When the author has to resort to graphic sex descriptions to pad out the story then it is time for him to pack up.

Very disappointing. Another book destined for the charity shop.


Just when i thought all was lost, 15 Aug 2008
I stumbled upon this accidentally about 2 years after i had read the "Tales of the City" series and it was like bumping in to an old friend! After the disappointment of reaching the end of the original series......it turned out it was just career break. Maupin delivers yet another fabulous novel that makes you laugh and cry within the space of just a couple of pages.
Expect the usual emotional roller coaster of course and visits from a few old friends.
This is part of a series of books that, although timeless, i wish would never end.


The return of Micheal Mouse, 29 Jul 2008
Fans of Armistead Maupin's 'Tales of the City' will be eager to find out what became of Michael Tolliver and the rest of the crazy characters from San Francisco. This book is quite a departure from the TotC series because it is written in the first person and therefore we really hear Michael's voice for the first time (although to be honest I wasn't sure if I was hearing Michael's voice, or just the author's, since their lives seem to share many similarities). Furthermore this book is mostly about Michael - there are just brief updates on the others (only Anna, Brian and Shawna play much of a part). Nevertheless this is an easy, fun read, outrageously rude in places and absolutely hilarious in others. If you haven't read any of the Tales of the City series, you're better off starting with those (and you're in for a treat).

Back to the city!, 25 Jul 2008
As a novel its quite a good story and well written but the key success for me was I found I was visiting friends again that I didn't know I'd missed so much. It was great having these characters alive and hearing them speak again as the original "Tales" books were so much fun to read. Maupins greatest success is in creating characters we really care about and thats why it gets five stars not for the story but the thrill of Anna, Mouse, Brian etc being brought back to me.

Not what I was expecting but it was OK, 09 Oct 2008
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.

Wolverhampton Libraries LGBT Reading Group Review, 11 Oct 2007
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.

Masterful comic soap, 16 Jun 2007
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.





A warm but not over paced novel, 27 Apr 2004
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.

Brilliant! Charming! Eccentric! A camp adventure!, 29 Feb 2004
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!

Every bit as good as the Tales of the City, 28 Jun 2007
More Tales of the City maintains the standard set in the first book as the coincidences become more bizarre and the characters reveal more of their secrets. Of the latter Anna Madrigal has some real shockers; but there is a shock of a different kind in store for the adorable Michael Tolliver; and yet another for the insufferable Beauchamp. But before that Mary Anne and the Michael go on a cruise together and neither returns empty handed. We meet some new characters and some of the old ones play a bigger part.
Very funny and entertaining, with some amateur sleuthing which involves several of the residents of 28 Barbary Lane keeping us guessing to the end, this is a most enjoyable read.


Essential if you've read Tales of the City., 08 Jan 2001
The second in the Tales series picks up where the first leaves off, and we welcome back all the residents of 28 Barbary Lane. Again, Maupin's style is the breezy, chatty short-chapter, presumably a result from the stories originally being featured in the SF Chronicle, and again he captures the flavour of 1970's San Francisco perfectly. If you liked the first book, you'll love this. If you didn't, steer clear.

A funny follow-up, 10 May 2000
Great stuff - I was dying to read this after the wonderful roller-coaster of the first volume and wasn't disappointed. The coincidences abounded, some a bit far fetched but which I can go with, and believe them - characterisation was spot on (apart from Burke - too silly and bizarre and the storyline plain daft - but he was portrayed as barking, which he is!) Nice chapter lengths and interesting chapter headings - reminds me of my E M Forster 'A' level studies. I love it.

Hysterical follow-up to "Tales of the City", 13 Mar 2000
Once again Maupin gives us a glimpse into the lives of the residents of 28 Barbary Lane.

Brilliantly written and extremely funny.

a classic !!, 28 Feb 2004
Significant Others is just one in the Tales of the City series of books. The whole 'Tales' series is absolutely amazing and you'll find it difficult to put them down once you've started reading.
The chapters are very short which means that these books are perfect for reading on the tube or when you have only a short time to read in one sitting. Each chapter will generally focus on a specific character in the book of which there are several and these are followed throughout the whole series.

Do start with 'Tales of the City' book first, as the books do run in sequence.

The first three books have been made into films and part of them were screened on television several years ago. However the DVD's are available on amazon.com (the american amazon website) but only in region 1 unfortunately. Many DVD players do now play region 1 but need to check on your machine first before ordering them from amazon's amercian website.

Buy this now., 02 Apr 2001
Armistead Maupin is one of the greatest living authors of this century. The pinnacle of his achievement is the Tales of the City series of which this is the fourth. It is wonderful in every way. Great characters, totally stylish, witty, moving, political, sexually liberated and enormous fun. By the time you have read this far you will love all the characters to death and there are some great nail biting scenes based on the cult figure of Jim Jones. Just buy it, buy them all.

By far the best book in the series!, 28 Mar 2000
I have read all of Maupin's books and I think that every single one of them is brilliant. However if I had to pick a favourite it would definitely be 'Significant Others'. It has to be one of the funniest books ever written and I found all the lesbian camp scenes contained some of Maupin's best and most highly strung plotlines.

An excellent fifth installment to the Barbary Lane saga., 28 Jan 1999
The series goes on in leaps and bounds. The Tales of...series are one of the few sets of books to make me laugh and cry-usually within the same chapter. The usual characters that I have come to love are all there,finding new loves and facing the dark spector of AIDS. Classy writing. I'm looking forward to starting Sure Of You, just dreading finishing it.

Still on Form, 22 Sep 2008
Could this book live up to the wonderful Tales of the City series? I approached it half-expecting a let-down. Well this book certainly isn't a let-down though it is different in style. Maupin has a real gift for creating a world, however weird, that you can believe in. He populates that world with eccentric but loveable characters that you really care about. Although the book is essentially light and humorous, Maupin, as before, manages to illuminate deeper human issues with tenderness and emotion but still with a wry smile. In this book death, loss of various types, love between older and younger and aging (to list but a few) all have a gentle light shed upon them. In the best sense an "easy read" because he writes so beautifully. A lovely book that I could not put down.

Lacking in fun, 15 Aug 2008
Having read and been a real fan of "The Tales of the City" books and TV programme I was really looking forward to this book.

This book is truly awful. It lacks the humour and wit of the original books and it is spoiled by only being told in the first person. It is quite bitchy and unnecessarily graphic.When the author has to resort to graphic sex descriptions to pad out the story then it is time for him to pack up.

Very disappointing. Another book destined for the charity shop.


Just when i thought all was lost, 15 Aug 2008
I stumbled upon this accidentally about 2 years after i had read the "Tales of the City" series and it was like bumping in to an old friend! After the disappointment of reaching the end of the original series......it turned out it was just career break. Maupin delivers yet another fabulous novel that makes you laugh and cry within the space of just a couple of pages.
Expect the usual emotional roller coaster of course and visits from a few old friends.
This is part of a series of books that, although timeless, i wish would never end.


The return of Micheal Mouse, 29 Jul 2008
Fans of Armistead Maupin's 'Tales of the City' will be eager to find out what became of Michael Tolliver and the rest of the crazy characters from San Francisco. This book is quite a departure from the TotC series because it is written in the first person and therefore we really hear Michael's voice for the first time (although to be honest I wasn't sure if I was hearing Michael's voice, or just the author's, since their lives seem to share many similarities). Furthermore this book is mostly about Michael - there are just brief updates on the others (only Anna, Brian and Shawna play much of a part). Nevertheless this is an easy, fun read, outrageously rude in places and absolutely hilarious in others. If you haven't read any of the Tales of the City series, you're better off starting with those (and you're in for a treat).

Back to the city!, 25 Jul 2008
As a novel its quite a good story and well written but the key success for me was I found I was visiting friends again that I didn't know I'd missed so much. It was great having these characters alive and hearing them speak again as the original "Tales" books were so much fun to read. Maupins greatest success is in creating characters we really care about and thats why it gets five stars not for the story but the thrill of Anna, Mouse, Brian etc being brought back to me.

Not what I was expecting but it was OK, 09 Oct 2008
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.

Wolverhampton Libraries LGBT Reading Group Review, 11 Oct 2007
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.

Masterful comic soap, 16 Jun 2007
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.





A warm but not over paced novel, 27 Apr 2004
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.

Brilliant! Charming! Eccentric! A camp adventure!, 29 Feb 2004
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!

Every bit as good as the Tales of the City, 28 Jun 2007
More Tales of the City maintains the standard set in the first book as the coincidences become more bizarre and the characters reveal more of their secrets. Of the latter Anna Madrigal has some real shockers; but there is a shock of a different kind in store for the adorable Michael Tolliver; and yet another for the insufferable Beauchamp. But before that Mary Anne and the Michael go on a cruise together and neither returns empty handed. We meet some new characters and some of the old ones play a bigger part.
Very funny and entertaining, with some amateur sleuthing which involves several of the residents of 28 Barbary Lane keeping us guessing to the end, this is a most enjoyable read.


Essential if you've read Tales of the City., 08 Jan 2001
The second in the Tales series picks up where the first leaves off, and we welcome back all the residents of 28 Barbary Lane. Again, Maupin's style is the breezy, chatty short-chapter, presumably a result from the stories originally being featured in the SF Chronicle, and again he captures the flavour of 1970's San Francisco perfectly. If you liked the first book, you'll love this. If you didn't, steer clear.

A funny follow-up, 10 May 2000
Great stuff - I was dying to read this after the wonderful roller-coaster of the first volume and wasn't disappointed. The coincidences abounded, some a bit far fetched but which I can go with, and believe them - characterisation was spot on (apart from Burke - too silly and bizarre and the storyline plain daft - but he was portrayed as barking, which he is!) Nice chapter lengths and interesting chapter headings - reminds me of my E M Forster 'A' level studies. I love it.

Hysterical follow-up to "Tales of the City", 13 Mar 2000
Once again Maupin gives us a glimpse into the lives of the residents of 28 Barbary Lane.

Brilliantly written and extremely funny.

a classic !!, 28 Feb 2004
Significant Others is just one in the Tales of the City series of books. The whole 'Tales' series is absolutely amazing and you'll find it difficult to put them down once you've started reading.
The chapters are very short which means that these books are perfect for reading on the tube or when you have only a short time to read in one sitting. Each chapter will generally focus on a specific character in the book of which there are several and these are followed throughout the whole series.

Do start with 'Tales of the City' book first, as the books do run in sequence.

The first three books have been made into films and part of them were screened on television several years ago. However the DVD's are available on amazon.com (the american amazon website) but only in region 1 unfortunately. Many DVD players do now play region 1 but need to check on your machine first before ordering them from amazon's amercian website.

Buy this now., 02 Apr 2001
Armistead Maupin is one of the greatest living authors of this century. The pinnacle of his achievement is the Tales of the City series of which this is the fourth. It is wonderful in every way. Great characters, totally stylish, witty, moving, political, sexually liberated and enormous fun. By the time you have read this far you will love all the characters to death and there are some great nail biting scenes based on the cult figure of Jim Jones. Just buy it, buy them all.

By far the best book in the series!, 28 Mar 2000
I have read all of Maupin's books and I think that every single one of them is brilliant. However if I had to pick a favourite it would definitely be 'Significant Others'. It has to be one of the funniest books ever written and I found all the lesbian camp scenes contained some of Maupin's best and most highly strung plotlines.

An excellent fifth installment to the Barbary Lane saga., 28 Jan 1999
The series goes on in leaps and bounds. The Tales of...series are one of the few sets of books to make me laugh and cry-usually within the same chapter. The usual characters that I have come to love are all there,finding new loves and facing the dark spector of AIDS. Classy writing. I'm looking forward to starting Sure Of You, just dreading finishing it.

A Great Starting point for Armistead Maupin, 23 Nov 2007
This was the first Armistead Maupin book I read, and it blew my socks off.
The story is great for the 'romantic'gay person, who are you? Michael? or Jon?..a FAB read that will make you want to start from Tales of the City, like I did.

Flawless, 04 Apr 2006
It's hard to judge these books individually, infact it's somewhat impossible. I have read this series many times over the last ten years and each time they have a different meaning, whether it's a new discovery or a shift in sympathy for a different character.
This book marks a significant change in the lives of the characters and also in Maupin's style. The humour and satire are present as always but a very obvious maturity is seen both in the residents of Barbary Lane and the political climate, with the advent of HIV/AIDS in the early 80's under American Rebublic rule.
Despite the significant change in the characters, they remain as friendly. heartwarming and delightfuly familiar as always.

a classic !!, 28 Feb 2004
Babycakes is just one in the Tales of the City series of books. The whole 'Tales' series is absolutely amazing and you'll find it difficult to put them down once you've started reading.
The chapters are very short which means that these books are perfect for reading on the tube or when you have only a short time to read in one sitting. Each chapter will generally focus on a specific character in the book of which there are several and these are followed throughout the whole series.

Do start with 'Tales of the City' book first, as the books do run in sequence.

The first three books have been made into films and part of them were screened on television several years ago. However the DVD's are available on amazon.com (the american amazon website) but only in region 1 unfortunately. Many DVD players do now play region 1 but need to check on your machine first before ordering them from amazon's amercian website.

Get this now, 05 Apr 2001
Maupin is a literary god. Buy this book, buy everything he has ever written and prepare to get eye strain and book addiction.

Beautiful, 02 Apr 2001
Armistead may be a gay writer, but if that would normally put you off, don't let it. The whole of humanity is in these books, they are deeply affecting, beautiful, life affirming books. I would take them on a desert island. I would take them anywhere and recommend them to anyone.

Still on Form, 22 Sep 2008
Could this book live up to the wonderful Tales of the City series? I approached it half-expecting a let-down. Well this book certainly isn't a let-down though it is different in style. Maupin has a real gift for creating a world, however weird, that you can believe in. He populates that world with eccentric but loveable characters that you really care about. Although the book is essentially light and humorous, Maupin, as before, manages to illuminate deeper human issues with tenderness and emotion but still with a wry smile. In this book death, loss of various types, love between older and younger and aging (to list but a few) all have a gentle light shed upon them. In the best sense an "easy read" because he writes so beautifully. A lovely book that I could not put down.

Lacking in fun, 15 Aug 2008
Having read and been a real fan of "The Tales of the City" books and TV programme I was really looking forward to this book.

This book is truly awful. It lacks the humour and wit of the original books and it is spoiled by only being told in the first person. It is quite bitchy and unnecessarily graphic.When the author has to resort to graphic sex descriptions to pad out the story then it is time for him to pack up.

Very disappointing. Another book destined for the charity shop.


Just when i thought all was lost, 15 Aug 2008
I stumbled upon this accidentally about 2 years after i had read the "Tales of the City" series and it was like bumping in to an old friend! After the disappointment of reaching the end of the original series......it turned out it was just career break. Maupin delivers yet another fabulous novel that makes you laugh and cry within the space of just a couple of pages.
Expect the usual emotional roller coaster of course and visits from a few old friends.
This is part of a series of books that, although timeless, i wish would never end.


The return of Micheal Mouse, 29 Jul 2008
Fans of Armistead Maupin's 'Tales of the City' will be eager to find out what became of Michael Tolliver and the rest of the crazy characters from San Francisco. This book is quite a departure from the TotC series because it is written in the first person and therefore we really hear Michael's voice for the first time (although to be honest I wasn't sure if I was hearing Michael's voice, or just the author's, since their lives seem to share many similarities). Furthermore this book is mostly about Michael - there are just brief updates on the others (only Anna, Brian and Shawna play much of a part). Nevertheless this is an easy, fun read, outrageously rude in places and absolutely hilarious in others. If you haven't read any of the Tales of the City series, you're better off starting with those (and you're in for a treat).

Back to the city!, 25 Jul 2008
As a novel its quite a good story and well written but the key success for me was I found I was visiting friends again that I didn't know I'd missed so much. It was great having these characters alive and hearing them speak again as the original "Tales" books were so much fun to read. Maupins greatest success is in creating characters we really care about and thats why it gets five stars not for the story but the thrill of Anna, Mouse, Brian etc being brought back to me.

Not what I was expecting but it was OK, 09 Oct 2008
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.

Wolverhampton Libraries LGBT Reading Group Review, 11 Oct 2007
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.

Masterful comic soap, 16 Jun 2007
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.





A warm but not over paced novel, 27 Apr 2004
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.

Brilliant! Charming! Eccentric! A camp adventure!, 29 Feb 2004
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!

Every bit as good as the Tales of the City, 28 Jun 2007
More Tales of the City maintains the standard set in the first book as the coincidences become more bizarre and the characters reveal more of their secrets. Of the latter Anna Madrigal has some real shockers; but there is a shock of a different kind in store for the adorable Michael Tolliver; and yet another for the insufferable Beauchamp. But before that Mary Anne and the Michael go on a cruise together and neither returns empty handed. We meet some new characters and some of the old ones play a bigger part.
Very funny and entertaining, with some amateur sleuthing which involves several of the residents of 28 Barbary Lane keeping us guessing to the end, this is a most enjoyable read.


Essential if you've read Tales of the City., 08 Jan 2001
The second in the Tales series picks up where the first leaves off, and we welcome back all the residents of 28 Barbary Lane. Again, Maupin's style is the breezy, chatty short-chapter, presumably a result from the stories originally being featured in the SF Chronicle, and again he captures the flavour of 1970's San Francisco perfectly. If you liked the first book, you'll love this. If you didn't, steer clear.

A funny follow-up, 10 May 2000
Great stuff - I was dying to read this after the wonderful roller-coaster of the first volume and wasn't disappointed. The coincidences abounded, some a bit far fetched but which I can go with, and believe them - characterisation was spot on (apart from Burke - too silly and bizarre and the storyline plain daft - but he was portrayed as barking, which he is!) Nice chapter lengths and interesting chapter headings - reminds me of my E M Forster 'A' level studies. I love it.

Hysterical follow-up to "Tales of the City", 13 Mar 2000
Once again Maupin gives us a glimpse into the lives of the residents of 28 Barbary Lane.

Brilliantly written and extremely funny.

a classic !!, 28 Feb 2004
Significant Others is just one in the Tales of the City series of books. The whole 'Tales' series is absolutely amazing and you'll find it difficult to put them down once you've started reading.
The chapters are very short which means that these books are perfect for reading on the tube or when you have only a short time to read in one sitting. Each chapter will generally focus on a specific character in the book of which there are several and these are followed throughout the whole series.

Do start with 'Tales of the City' book first, as the books do run in sequence.

The first three books have been made into films and part of them were screened on television several years ago. However the DVD's are available on amazon.com (the american amazon website) but only in region 1 unfortunately. Many DVD players do now play region 1 but need to check on your machine first before ordering them from amazon's amercian website.

Buy this now., 02 Apr 2001
Armistead Maupin is one of the greatest living authors of this century. The pinnacle of his achievement is the Tales of the City series of which this is the fourth. It is wonderful in every way. Great characters, totally stylish, witty, moving, political, sexually liberated and enormous fun. By the time you have read this far you will love all the characters to death and there are some great nail biting scenes based on the cult figure of Jim Jones. Just buy it, buy them all.

By far the best book in the series!, 28 Mar 2000
I have read all of Maupin's books and I think that every single one of them is brilliant. However if I had to pick a favourite it would definitely be 'Significant Others'. It has to be one of the funniest books ever written and I found all the lesbian camp scenes contained some of Maupin's best and most highly strung plotlines.

An excellent fifth installment to the Barbary Lane saga., 28 Jan 1999
The series goes on in leaps and bounds. The Tales of...series are one of the few sets of books to make me laugh and cry-usually within the same chapter. The usual characters that I have come to love are all there,finding new loves and facing the dark spector of AIDS. Classy writing. I'm looking forward to starting Sure Of You, just dreading finishing it.

A Great Starting point for Armistead Maupin, 23 Nov 2007
This was the first Armistead Maupin book I read, and it blew my socks off.
The story is great for the 'romantic'gay person, who are you? Michael? or Jon?..a FAB read that will make you want to start from Tales of the City, like I did.

Flawless, 04 Apr 2006
It's hard to judge these books individually, infact it's somewhat impossible. I have read this series many times over the last ten years and each time they have a different meaning, whether it's a new discovery or a shift in sympathy for a different character.
This book marks a significant change in the lives of the characters and also in Maupin's style. The humour and satire are present as always but a very obvious maturity is seen both in the residents of Barbary Lane and the political climate, with the advent of HIV/AIDS in the early 80's under American Rebublic rule.
Despite the significant change in the characters, they remain as friendly. heartwarming and delightfuly familiar as always.

a classic !!, 28 Feb 2004
Babycakes is just one in the Tales of the City series of books. The whole 'Tales' series is absolutely amazing and you'll find it difficult to put them down once you've started reading.
The chapters are very short which means that these books are perfect for reading on the tube or when you have only a short time to read in one sitting. Each chapter will generally focus on a specific character in the book of which there are several and these are followed throughout the whole series.

Do start with 'Tales of the City' book first, as the books do run in sequence.

The first three books have been made into films and part of them were screened on television several years ago. However the DVD's are available on amazon.com (the american amazon website) but only in region 1 unfortunately. Many DVD players do now play region 1 but need to check on your machine first before ordering them from amazon's amercian website.

Get this now, 05 Apr 2001
Maupin is a literary god. Buy this book, buy everything he has ever written and prepare to get eye strain and book addiction.

Beautiful, 02 Apr 2001
Armistead may be a gay writer, but if that would normally put you off, don't let it. The whole of humanity is in these books, they are deeply affecting, beautiful, life affirming books. I would take them on a desert island. I would take them anywhere and recommend them to anyone.

More bizarre action for the residents of Barbary Lane, 13 Jul 2007
Further tales of the City jumps forward a few years from More Tales of the City, but most of our favourite characters are still there; the residents of 28 Barbary Lane; Anna Madrigal's children. The improbable events and unlikely coincidences continue with unabated abandon, but this is part of the charm of the stories. But what holds the book together is the skilful way that Maupin involves all the regular characters in the main plot; and main plot there certainly is (with a Jonestown connection), a plot which keeps one guessing to the end.
It's every bit as good as and possibly even funnier than its predecessors; highly recommended.



Truly Special, 02 Apr 2001
I can't speak highly enough about this series of books. Without sacrificing character interest the plots are always interesting, unique and often quite thrilling. They should be read in order to effect maximum enjoyment, because you grow with the characters and come to love them as real people.

A more elaborate tell involving the regulars of 28 Barbary, 16 Jan 2001
This is a different pace to the usual books, but the plotline is fantastic and it interweaves actual events from the late 1970's and early 80's. The only flaw is the absence of Mona, who has relocated. But, otherwise, a fantastic read that makes you hungry for more.

well, what can i say!, 19 Jun 2000
a fab book and you must be stupid if you don't love mouse! i know i do. read this if youve read the previous two only, never start here. and read the further three!

Weakest link in the chain, 10 May 2000
Didn't like this one much at all, though read it for continuity and of course the occasional flash of brilliance. How the heck did Mary Ann get to be a presenter from being a secretary? This was never explained! Please enlighten me! Hated the whole silly Jonestown stuff too. But I love the characters and wanted to see how they were doing, so read on!

Still on Form, 22 Sep 2008
Could this book live up to the wonderful Tales of the City series? I approached it half-expecting a let-down. Well this book certainly isn't a let-down though it is different in style. Maupin has a real gift for creating a world, however weird, that you can believe in. He populates that world with eccentric but loveable characters that you really care about. Although the book is essentially light and humorous, Maupin, as before, manages to illuminate deeper human issues with tenderness and emotion but still with a wry smile. In this book death, loss of various types, love between older and younger and aging (to list but a few) all have a gentle light shed upon them. In the best sense an "easy read" because he writes so beautifully. A lovely book that I could not put down.

Lacking in fun, 15 Aug 2008
Having read and been a real fan of "The Tales of the City" books and TV programme I was really looking forward to this book.

This book is truly awful. It lacks the humour and wit of the original books and it is spoiled by only being told in the first person. It is quite bitchy and unnecessarily graphic.When the author has to resort to graphic sex descriptions to pad out the story then it is time for him to pack up.

Very disappointing. Another book destined for the charity shop.


Just when i thought all was lost, 15 Aug 2008
I stumbled upon this accidentally about 2 years after i had read the "Tales of the City" series and it was like bumping in to an old friend! After the disappointment of reaching the end of the original series......it turned out it was just career break. Maupin delivers yet another fabulous novel that makes you laugh and cry within the space of just a couple of pages.
Expect the usual emotional roller coaster of course and visits from a few old friends.
This is part of a series of books that, although timeless, i wish would never end.


The return of Micheal Mouse, 29 Jul 2008
Fans of Armistead Maupin's 'Tales of the City' will be eager to find out what became of Michael Tolliver and the rest of the crazy characters from San Francisco. This book is quite a departure from the TotC series because it is written in the first person and therefore we really hear Michael's voice for the first time (although to be honest I wasn't sure if I was hearing Michael's voice, or just the author's, since their lives seem to share many similarities). Furthermore this book is mostly about Michael - there are just brief updates on the others (only Anna, Brian and Shawna play much of a part). Nevertheless this is an easy, fun read, outrageously rude in places and absolutely hilarious in others. If you haven't read any of the Tales of the City series, you're better off starting with those (and you're in for a treat).

Back to the city!, 25 Jul 2008
As a novel its quite a good story and well written but the key success for me was I found I was visiting friends again that I didn't know I'd missed so much. It was great having these characters alive and hearing them speak again as the original "Tales" books were so much fun to read. Maupins greatest success is in creating characters we really care about and thats why it gets five stars not for the story but the thrill of Anna, Mouse, Brian etc being brought back to me.

Not what I was expecting but it was OK, 09 Oct 2008
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.

Wolverhampton Libraries LGBT Reading Group Review, 11 Oct 2007
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.

Masterful comic soap, 16 Jun 2007
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.





A warm but not over paced novel, 27 Apr 2004
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.

Brilliant! Charming! Eccentric! A camp adventure!, 29 Feb 2004
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!

Every bit as good as the Tales of the City, 28 Jun 2007
More Tales of the City maintains the standard set in the first book as the coincidences become more bizarre and the characters reveal more of their secrets. Of the latter Anna Madrigal has some real shockers; but there is a shock of a different kind in store for the adorable Michael Tolliver; and yet another for the insufferable Beauchamp. But before that Mary Anne and the Michael go on a cruise together and neither returns empty handed. We meet some new characters and some of the old ones play a bigger part.
Very funny and entertaining, with some amateur sleuthing which involves several of the residents of 28 Barbary Lane keeping us guessing to the end, this is a most enjoyable read.


Essential if you've read Tales of the City., 08 Jan 2001
The second in the Tales series picks up where the first leaves off, and we welcome back all the residents of 28 Barbary Lane. Again, Maupin's style is the breezy, chatty short-chapter, presumably a result from the stories originally being featured in the SF Chronicle, and again he captures the flavour of 1970's San Francisco perfectly. If you liked the first book, you'll love this. If you didn't, steer clear.

A funny follow-up, 10 May 2000
Great stuff - I was dying to read this after the wonderful roller-coaster of the first volume and wasn't disappointed. The coincidences abounded, some a bit far fetched but which I can go with, and believe them - characterisation was spot on (apart from Burke - too silly and bizarre and the storyline plain daft - but he was portrayed as barking, which he is!) Nice chapter lengths and interesting chapter headings - reminds me of my E M Forster 'A' level studies. I love it.

Hysterical follow-up to "Tales of the City", 13 Mar 2000
Once again Maupin gives us a glimpse into the lives of the residents of 28 Barbary Lane.

Brilliantly written and extremely funny.

a classic !!, 28 Feb 2004
Significant Others is just one in the Tales of the City series of books. The whole 'Tales' series is absolutely amazing and you'll find it difficult to put them down once you've started reading.
The chapters are very short which means that these books are perfect for reading on the tube or when you have only a short time to read in one sitting. Each chapter will generally focus on a specific character in the book of which there are several and these are followed throughout the whole series.

Do start with 'Tales of the City' book first, as the books do run in sequence.

The first three books have been made into films and part of them were screened on television several years ago. However the DVD's are available on amazon.com (the american amazon website) but only in region 1 unfortunately. Many DVD players do now play region 1 but need to check on your machine first before ordering them from amazon's amercian website.

Buy this now., 02 Apr 2001
Armistead Maupin is one of the greatest living authors of this century. The pinnacle of his achievement is the Tales of the City series of which this is the fourth. It is wonderful in every way. Great characters, totally stylish, witty, moving, political, sexually liberated and enormous fun. By the time you have read this far you will love all the characters to death and there are some great nail biting scenes based on the cult figure of Jim Jones. Just buy it, buy them all.

By far the best book in the series!, 28 Mar 2000
I have read all of Maupin's books and I think that every single one of them is brilliant. However if I had to pick a favourite it would definitely be 'Significant Others'. It has to be one of the funniest books ever written and I found all the lesbian camp scenes contained some of Maupin's best and most highly strung plotlines.

An excellent fifth installment to the Barbary Lane saga., 28 Jan 1999
The series goes on in leaps and bounds. The Tales of...series are one of the few sets of books to make me laugh and cry-usually within the same chapter. The usual characters that I have come to love are all there,finding new loves and facing the dark spector of AIDS. Classy writing. I'm looking forward to starting Sure Of You, just dreading finishing it.

A Great Starting point for Armistead Maupin, 23 Nov 2007
This was the first Armistead Maupin book I read, and it blew my socks off.
The story is great for the 'romantic'gay person, who are you? Michael? or Jon?..a FAB read that will make you want to start from Tales of the City, like I did.

Flawless, 04 Apr 2006
It's hard to judge these books individually, infact it's somewhat impossible. I have read this series many times over the last ten years and each time they have a different meaning, whether it's a new discovery or a shift in sympathy for a different character.
This book marks a significant change in the lives of the characters and also in Maupin's style. The humour and satire are present as always but a very obvious maturity is seen both in the residents of Barbary Lane and the political climate, with the advent of HIV/AIDS in the early 80's under American Rebublic rule.
Despite the significant change in the characters, they remain as friendly. heartwarming and delightfuly familiar as always.

a classic !!, 28 Feb 2004
Babycakes is just one in the Tales of the City series of books. The whole 'Tales' series is absolutely amazing and you'll find it difficult to put them down once you've started reading.
The chapters are very short which means that these books are perfect for reading on the tube or when you have only a short time to read in one sitting. Each chapter will generally focus on a specific character in the book of which there are several and these are followed throughout the whole series.

Do start with 'Tales of the City' book first, as the books do run in sequence.

The first three books have been made into films and part of them were screened on television several years ago. However the DVD's are available on amazon.com (the american amazon website) but only in region 1 unfortunately. Many DVD players do now play region 1 but need to check on your machine first before ordering them from amazon's amercian website.

Get this now, 05 Apr 2001
Maupin is a literary god. Buy this book, buy everything he has ever written and prepare to get eye strain and book addiction.

Beautiful, 02 Apr 2001
Armistead may be a gay writer, but if that would normally put you off, don't let it. The whole of humanity is in these books, they are deeply affecting, beautiful, life affirming books. I would take them on a desert island. I would take them anywhere and recommend them to anyone.

More bizarre action for the residents of Barbary Lane, 13 Jul 2007
Further tales of the City jumps forward a few years from More Tales of the City, but most of our favourite characters are still there; the residents of 28 Barbary Lane; Anna Madrigal's children. The improbable events and unlikely coincidences continue with unabated abandon, but this is part of the charm of the stories. But what holds the book together is the skilful way that Maupin involves all the regular characters in the main plot; and main plot there certainly is (with a Jonestown connection), a plot which keeps one guessing to the end.
It's every bit as good as and possibly even funnier than its predecessors; highly recommended.



Truly Special, 02 Apr 2001
I can't speak highly enough about this series of books. Without sacrificing character interest the plots are always interesting, unique and often quite thrilling. They should be read in order to effect maximum enjoyment, because you grow with the characters and come to love them as real people.

A more elaborate tell involving the regulars of 28 Barbary, 16 Jan 2001
This is a different pace to the usual books, but the plotline is fantastic and it interweaves actual events from the late 1970's and early 80's. The only flaw is the absence of Mona, who has relocated. But, otherwise, a fantastic read that makes you hungry for more.

well, what can i say!, 19 Jun 2000
a fab book and you must be stupid if you don't love mouse! i know i do. read this if youve read the previous two only, never start here. and read the further three!

Weakest link in the chain, 10 May 2000
Didn't like this one much at all, though read it for continuity and of course the occasional flash of brilliance. How the heck did Mary Ann get to be a presenter from being a secretary? This was never explained! Please enlighten me! Hated the whole silly Jonestown stuff too. But I love the characters and wanted to see how they were doing, so read on!

a classic !!, 28 Feb 2004
Sure of You is just one in the Tales of the City series of books. The whole 'Tales' series is absolutely amazing and you'll find it difficult to put them down once you've started reading.

The chapters are very short which means that these books are perfect for reading on the tube or when you have only a short time to read in one sitting. Each chapter will generally focus on a specific character in the book of which there are several and these are followed throughout the whole series.

Do start with 'Tales of the City' book first, as the books do run in sequence.

The first three books have been made into films and part of them were screened on television several years ago. However the DVD's are available on amazon.com (the american amazon website) but only in region 1 unfortunately. Many DVD players do now play region 1 but need to check on your machine first before ordering them from amazon's amercian website.

I felt depressed, 04 May 2001
HAving read through all the novels in the series, it depresses me to see that the characters are moving away from each other, breaking what was one, big happy family.

Guess that is the magic of Maupin, that all of his characters become a part of your life, and you feel sad when they are sad, you feel happy when they are happy, and you feel miserable when they drift apart

This book is the perfect round-off to a brilliant series, 10 Apr 2001
This book will have you in stitches and tears, often simultaneously. Maupin's portrayal of Brian and Mary-Ann is expert, and unbiassed in a way that let's the reader decide whose side he/she takes. The ending is very symbolic, and little Shawna is a delight. All round a brilliant read, especially for those who have followed the series.

Sniff!, 01 Apr 2001
The last in the Tales of the City series, this book is a wonder and a tragedy all at once. I couldn't wait to read it and at the same time couldn't bear that it meant the end. Read them all, they are totally addictive, then read them again and again. You know you want to!

Not a perfect, but an appropriate, conclusion, 10 May 2000
I've just finished this after reading all 6 books in sequence with no breaks in between! I became fascinated by the lives of Mouse & Co and felt as if I was in a soap opera!...

It was interesting watching characters change, develop, meet people, dump them, grow up (or not), 'find themselves' as it were - much as in real life. I'm not sure what more could be done with the characters or the plot so perhaps it was fitting that it ended where it did. Nice to see almost all the original characters back in the conclusion, in one form or another!

On the whole, a brilliant series if a little too coincidental (but we have to suspend disbelief don't we - think Shakespeare?) I preferred the earlier '70s ones personally, but times change, as do we all, and life goes on.

I'll read them again!

Famed for his newspaper-column Tales of the City saga, Armistead Maupin has made the transition to fully fledged novelist with panache. Maintaining the wit and conversational duelling of the Tales--indeed, sharp-eyed fans will find odd intrusions from the past here--Maupin's The Night Listener is a gripping novel, brilliantly plotted and ultimately extremely moving, exploring "the chance to feel love without boundaries".

When yet another book manuscript drops onto Gabriel Noone's doormat craving his approval, the beloved late-night radio storyteller is sceptical--but this one is different. It's The Blacking Factory, the autobiographical tale of Pete Lomax, a child abused and sold for sex by his parents, who has survived, thanks to his adoptive mother, psychologist Donna. Flattered that this young boy is an inveterate night listener of his shows, Gabriel contacts Pete, and in time their telephone relationship blooms into something approaching father and son--until Gabriel begins to have doubts about who Pete is. At the same time, Gabriel's father falls ill and his life truly becomes "a loose confederation of uncertainties".

Perhaps this new emotional pull isn't altogether unsurprising beause like many others of his generation of gay writers--Edmund White, Andrew Holleran, Felice Picano--Maupin is now trading more explicitly in the raw materials of his own life. Gabriel Noone shares much with Armistead Maupin--a writer, whose fame is based on a popular form, raised in South Carolina, based in San Francisco, with a lover who leaves him when it becomes clear he's not about to die, and a same-named and difficult father. But Maupin has always been more cagey than his peers about revealing too much of himself--Noone, like his creator, is "a fabulist by trade", overly given to embroidering his stories, or "jewelling the elephant" as he puts it. And for all it reveals about Maupin the man, in its final pages The Night Listener protects its author's privacy--refusing to distinguish between fact and fiction, and refusing to allow that distinction to become important. --Alan Stewart

Still on Form, 22 Sep 2008
Could this book live up to the wonderful Tales of the City series? I approached it half-expecting a let-down. Well this book certainly isn't a let-down though it is different in style. Maupin has a real gift for creating a world, however weird, that you can believe in. He populates that world with eccentric but loveable characters that you really care about. Although the book is essentially light and humorous, Maupin, as before, manages to illuminate deeper human issues with tenderness and emotion but still with a wry smile. In this book death, loss of various types, love between older and younger and aging (to list but a few) all have a gentle light shed upon them. In the best sense an "easy read" because he writes so beautifully. A lovely book that I could not put down.

Lacking in fun, 15 Aug 2008
Having read and been a real fan of "The Tales of the City" books and TV programme I was really looking forward to this book.

This book is truly awful. It lacks the humour and wit of the original books and it is spoiled by only being told in the first person. It is quite bitchy and unnecessarily graphic.When the author has to resort to graphic sex descriptions to pad out the story then it is time for him to pack up.

Very disappointing. Another book destined for the charity shop.


Just when i thought all was lost, 15 Aug 2008
I stumbled upon this accidentally about 2 years after i had read the "Tales of the City" series and it was like bumping in to an old friend! After the disappointment of reaching the end of the original series......it turned out it was just career break. Maupin delivers yet another fabulous novel that makes you laugh and cry within the space of just a couple of pages.
Expect the usual emotional roller coaster of course and visits from a few old friends.
This is part of a series of books that, although timeless, i wish would never end.


The return of Micheal Mouse, 29 Jul 2008
Fans of Armistead Maupin's 'Tales of the City' will be eager