A Trip Down Barbary Lane...

JWBear · 06-21-2007, 04:54 PM

I just finished Michael Tolliver Lives; Armistead Maupin’s new follow-up to his Tales of the City series. (I finished it at lunch today.)

While it was nice to be able to catch-up with these characters and see where life has taken them in the last 18 years, I was left wanting more. There isn’t much of a plot, and what there is focuses on 55 year old Michael “Mouse” Tolliver coming to terms with love and loss as an aging gay man. The story is Maupin’s familiar breezy style with lots of topical cultural references, but the overall tone is bittersweet. Many of the familiar cast of characters make an appearance. Several others are mentioned but not seen. Sadly, one of the most important “characters” in the series – the city of San Francisco itself – isn’t featured as strongly as it was in the other books.

Overall, while I enjoyed the book immensely, but I would only recommend it to people who are already fans of the series. If you are not familiar with it, you will find it disappointing.

And, if you haven’t read this marvelous series, do so. Trust me… You will love it!

Alex · 06-21-2007, 06:21 PM

I liked Tales of the City but didn't care for the second book so I stopped there.

lashbear · 06-21-2007, 07:53 PM

My trip down Barbary Lane:

JWBear · 06-21-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lashbear

My trip down Barbary Lane:

Alas... There is no number 28 on that lane. There is no there, there.

06-21-2007, 04:54 PM	#1
JWBear Worn Romantic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 8,435	A Trip Down Barbary Lane... I just finished Michael Tolliver Lives; Armistead Maupin’s new follow-up to his Tales of the City series. (I finished it at lunch today.) While it was nice to be able to catch-up with these characters and see where life has taken them in the last 18 years, I was left wanting more. There isn’t much of a plot, and what there is focuses on 55 year old Michael “Mouse” Tolliver coming to terms with love and loss as an aging gay man. The story is Maupin’s familiar breezy style with lots of topical cultural references, but the overall tone is bittersweet. Many of the familiar cast of characters make an appearance. Several others are mentioned but not seen. Sadly, one of the most important “characters” in the series – the city of San Francisco itself – isn’t featured as strongly as it was in the other books. Overall, while I enjoyed the book immensely, but I would only recommend it to people who are already fans of the series. If you are not familiar with it, you will find it disappointing. And, if you haven’t read this marvelous series, do so. Trust me… You will love it! __________________ Unrestrained frivolity will lead to the downfall of modern society.
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06-21-2007, 06:21 PM	#2
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I liked Tales of the City but didn't care for the second book so I stopped there.
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