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31st out of 693 books
—
848 voters
More Tales of the City (Tales of the City #2)
The divinely human comedy that began with Tales of the City rolls recklessly along as Michael Tolliver pursues his favourite gynaecologist, Mona Ramsey uncovers her roots in a desert whorehouse, and Mary Ann Singleton finds love at sea with the amnesiac of her dreams.
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
January 1989
by Transworld Publ
(first published January 1st 1980)
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I read about 250 pages this afternoon after a got off work, bringing me to the end of the book. If that's not a testimonial, I don't know what is.
Maupin is intensely readable. If you read from the Tales of the City series, his characters will become your friends. And, like me, you'll be glad he's written several books featuring them. I can't wait to read the next.
With the first one, I felt intrigue took a back seat to plain old human interest. With this one, the mystery we were left with at the...more
Maupin is intensely readable. If you read from the Tales of the City series, his characters will become your friends. And, like me, you'll be glad he's written several books featuring them. I can't wait to read the next.
With the first one, I felt intrigue took a back seat to plain old human interest. With this one, the mystery we were left with at the...more
A teensy bit slow at first, if you're reading these books in quick succession (the cliffhanger from the first leaves you wanting to know Mrs. Madrigal's secret, but the second picks up with more quotidian things like Michael and Mary Ann's impromptu cruise vacation before getting into any of that). But by the end of the first third of the book, the plot really picks up as Mary Ann's new beau's mystery starts to overlap with Mrs. Madrigal's as hers is being outed and resolved.
We learn quite a lot...more
We learn quite a lot...more
Maupin must have wanted to write a mystery and decided to put it inside the context of the sequel to Tales of the City. I like the idea of going from genre to genre using the same characters and setting.
His books make me nostalgic for the 70's and remind me of the three trips I took to SF during that time. My youngest daughter lives there now. A big piece of my heart is in San Francisco and she's not wearing flowers in her hair. If I were funny, I'd like to funny like Michael Tolliver. I think...more
His books make me nostalgic for the 70's and remind me of the three trips I took to SF during that time. My youngest daughter lives there now. A big piece of my heart is in San Francisco and she's not wearing flowers in her hair. If I were funny, I'd like to funny like Michael Tolliver. I think...more
I found the first tales of the city book at a library used book sale in New Jersey. It was a while before I picked up the first installment of "tales", and I loved the characters right away.
More Tales of the City is the second installment in this series and it brings in more of the good things. Maupin's writing is spellbinding, witty and funny. The amazing thing about this book (and the first one) is how little third person narrative is there. Most of the book is just dialogues (such good dialog...more
More Tales of the City is the second installment in this series and it brings in more of the good things. Maupin's writing is spellbinding, witty and funny. The amazing thing about this book (and the first one) is how little third person narrative is there. Most of the book is just dialogues (such good dialog...more
A cracking follow-up to the first Tales of the City book. Preposterous as ever, but just as addictive. Maupin manages to tread a fine line between sentimentality and humour. What comes across is the fact that these characters love each other and the reader loves them in turn, becoming a vicarious member of the Barbary Lane family.
What really affected me when I first read these books, as a recently "out" Gay man, was the depiction and template they gave for Gay/Straight relationships. In the book...more
What really affected me when I first read these books, as a recently "out" Gay man, was the depiction and template they gave for Gay/Straight relationships. In the book...more
If you liked "Tales of the City," you will not be disappointed by this book. The author continues the stories of the lives of his characters and he will enchant you with humorous and surprising scenarios that will make you want to keep turning the pages until you are done.
I have read every book in the series at least three times. Every time I have gone through the series has been a delight. The author has an uncanny knack for making his characters feel as if they were your best friends.
As a gay...more
I have read every book in the series at least three times. Every time I have gone through the series has been a delight. The author has an uncanny knack for making his characters feel as if they were your best friends.
As a gay...more
More from Maupin's wonderful series. Having come of age in the 1970s, I love all the references to pop and popular culture. Anita Bryant, here's to a pie in the face. A fruit pie, at that. My first trip to California was to San Francisco. I was young and fell in love with this city. Maupin captures it beautifully.
Maupin is certainly the master of one-liners and colorful characters. The real star of his books is 28 Barbary Lane, the magical, rambling house that is "home" to this disparate group o...more
Maupin is certainly the master of one-liners and colorful characters. The real star of his books is 28 Barbary Lane, the magical, rambling house that is "home" to this disparate group o...more
Round 2 of my 2013 re-read of the Tales of the City series, and if at all possible it seemed as if this installment was even breezier than the first! Perhaps with all the character intros out of the way -- as well as success of the initial series -- Maupin seems to really hit his stride here.
Having originally read the series some 20-ish years ago, I was still surprised that I could be... well, surprised. Ok, maybe more "oh, yeah" shady-minded remembrances. But it was still very fun to re-live t...more
Having originally read the series some 20-ish years ago, I was still surprised that I could be... well, surprised. Ok, maybe more "oh, yeah" shady-minded remembrances. But it was still very fun to re-live t...more
May 31, 2012
Eric
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
San Francisco Residents, Soap Opera Loves, Readers
Recommended to Eric by:
San Francisco Chronicle
More Tales of the City
by Armistead Maupin
This book continues the characters that are introduced in Tales of the City, which is the first of this particular series. One of the things that makes this particular book interesting is that each chapter is relatively short, so it is quickly read and makes it easy for a reader to find a stopping point when they need to put it down for awhile. The reason for this ease isn't because Maupin wrote them this way as a book, but because the chapters are origi...more
by Armistead Maupin
This book continues the characters that are introduced in Tales of the City, which is the first of this particular series. One of the things that makes this particular book interesting is that each chapter is relatively short, so it is quickly read and makes it easy for a reader to find a stopping point when they need to put it down for awhile. The reason for this ease isn't because Maupin wrote them this way as a book, but because the chapters are origi...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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SPOILERS AHEAD
When I think of Tales of the City, the first word that comes to mind is frothy. This book was good, clean (well, kind of clean) fun. Just like the first book in the series, this novel was absolutely stunningly plotted. The central mystery this time revolves around another of Mary Ann Singleton's love interests: William Burke. William is tan, fit, and handsome... and has a bad case of amnesia. He also tends to vomit when he sees railings and roses. Much of the story revolves around...more
When I think of Tales of the City, the first word that comes to mind is frothy. This book was good, clean (well, kind of clean) fun. Just like the first book in the series, this novel was absolutely stunningly plotted. The central mystery this time revolves around another of Mary Ann Singleton's love interests: William Burke. William is tan, fit, and handsome... and has a bad case of amnesia. He also tends to vomit when he sees railings and roses. Much of the story revolves around...more
I'm not sure why I didn't join the stampede years ago to read this delightful series. I somehow got the impression it was either literary lemon meringue, all fluff and icky sweet, or a frothy gay soap opera. Even the enjoyable mini-series on television didn't inspire me to read more than the first book in the series. However,I found "More Tales of the City" addictively entertaining, and I now plan to read the whole batch. My only criticism, and its minor, is when Maupin stretches credibility a b...more
Once again, Maupin takes his characters and creates an amazing story. He's such an amazing story-teller, to me this book was pure gold! How someone can create such realistic characters, and make everything purely belivable and enduring is wonderful! i am reading them all! i had read them before, when i was in middle school, but now older i can truly enjoy every word!
I honestly do not want to give any away, but so far this one is sticking with me and amazing!
From Michael Tolliver and Mary Ann an...more
I honestly do not want to give any away, but so far this one is sticking with me and amazing!
From Michael Tolliver and Mary Ann an...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This book was different in that it was a mix of cliches and new ideas. On one level it was a sloppy book about people falling in love which has now been passed of as an overused theme, if it can be labelled a theme. However some of what happens in the book is so absurd the writer must either think his readers are either very gullible or wrote the book without paying much attention to what everyone else says makes a good read. On the other hand, it talks of people like the ones we meet everyday w...more
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I undertook reading the Tales of the City series when I discovered I was moving to SF and I wanted to know more about the city before I lived there (neighborhoods, street names, overall character, etc...). I found all of the books enjoyable and the characters interesting and likeable. I began to tire of the series as it wore on, but I really liked the first three and I did read all of them just to round out the series though. I can't really write a review of each book because even though I only...more
What a delight to read a series in which the characters grow and develop, both as individuals and as a family. Sure, some of Maupin's plot acrobatics are unlikely. It's a bit like Cirque du Soleil; you can't believe someone's body would bend that way, but you can't look away, no matter how unlikely it seems. And when you learn that Maupin added some twists, such as cannibalism at Grace Cathedral, on a newsroom dare, helps one to forgive the unreality. His plot is so wonderfully woven together, i...more
I also read this before attending the musical at ACT in San Francisco. This one was a little meatier than the first book, probably because the first one began its life as a serialized newspaper story. Maybe it's because I remembered where all the characters ended up at the end of the series, but I didn't enjoy revisiting these books very much, and I felt that time had taken its toll on this series. What was shocking and interesting twenty years ago has become so normal that I felt like I needed...more
This renewed my interest in the series. I know the first book in a series usually is a set up, but due to the shocking nature and progression in characters, I'd like to read on to Further Tales of the City
While I knew that Mouse was my favorite character, it's good to see his really likable character grow and show emotion, even though it'd be sad. I hope the main characters live on for a few more books at least.
Even though this was set over 30 years ago, it's interesting to read about locales a...more
While I knew that Mouse was my favorite character, it's good to see his really likable character grow and show emotion, even though it'd be sad. I hope the main characters live on for a few more books at least.
Even though this was set over 30 years ago, it's interesting to read about locales a...more
I don't really understand the reviews mentionning the role of the city in this book... In the first one, yes, San Francisco was almost a character as important as Mary-Ann, Michael and so. But the sequel doesn't have that same atmosphere of freedom and frivolity I felt and liked in the first Tales. The action could almost take place anywhere else, in another town. It's a pity, because without it, the soap opera that is the plot is less delightful, the coincidences are too blatant. In spite of th...more
Unfortunately I read this series out of order, which I don't suggest because part of the joy of Maupin's books are discovering the ways his character's lives play out, often in unexpected ways.
At any rate, I was glad to go back to the 1970s again, which is the decade I prefer for these tales. I am also currently watching the Showtime movie made from MTotC, and it is a bit disappointing - the movie is very faithful to the book, which might be the problem in the sense that I don't feel a need to...more
At any rate, I was glad to go back to the 1970s again, which is the decade I prefer for these tales. I am also currently watching the Showtime movie made from MTotC, and it is a bit disappointing - the movie is very faithful to the book, which might be the problem in the sense that I don't feel a need to...more
This book started off a little slow, but it was such an easy read, so I kept on chuggin' along.
All of the characters in this book develop so quickly and it's easy to fall in love with all of them. I was really excited to find out what happens to them.
The author does a good job of grabbing the reader and keeping them attentive. Each chapter is a different story from a different group of people, but towards the middle of the book, you can see how they all connect. The author ends each chapter ma...more
All of the characters in this book develop so quickly and it's easy to fall in love with all of them. I was really excited to find out what happens to them.
The author does a good job of grabbing the reader and keeping them attentive. Each chapter is a different story from a different group of people, but towards the middle of the book, you can see how they all connect. The author ends each chapter ma...more
I am falling even more in love with this series and the characters, and especially Michael, what an awesome character! This one is even better than the first, with some mysteries to be solved, new loves, and finally Mrs Maldrigad's secret is revealed and some horrible people get their up and comings.
I loved Micheal's new years resolutions on the first page, "Micheal Tolliver's dirty thirty for '77." I could not stop lauging, especially this one "I will not assume women who like me are fag hags"...more
I loved Micheal's new years resolutions on the first page, "Micheal Tolliver's dirty thirty for '77." I could not stop lauging, especially this one "I will not assume women who like me are fag hags"...more
Great Line: "You have to learn to turn back your own sheets and set a table for one without feeling pathetic."
Six months pass. The Barbary folk continue to strive for what they're looking for. Mary Ann meets an amnesiac and might find love (if he can remember why he throws up whenever he sees a rose, though, it might be a more successful relationship). Michael bumps into Jon again in the most unlikely place, after their failed attempt from 'Tales' hits a snag. Mona runs off to the desert, leavin...more
Six months pass. The Barbary folk continue to strive for what they're looking for. Mary Ann meets an amnesiac and might find love (if he can remember why he throws up whenever he sees a rose, though, it might be a more successful relationship). Michael bumps into Jon again in the most unlikely place, after their failed attempt from 'Tales' hits a snag. Mona runs off to the desert, leavin...more
La vie continue au 28 Barbary Lane. Mouse et Mary Ann préparent leur départ pour une croisière qui leur promet de belles surprises : Mary Ann rencontre un certain Burke, beau jeune homme, mais un peu bizarre. Ce dernier, amnésique, est pris par des nausées à chaque fois qu'il voit une rose, de près ou de loin. Mary Ann est bien décidée à mener son enquête.
Michael, lui, va retrouver Jon, alors qu'il est en train de déprimer... et si c'était une signe du destin? Jon est maintenant médecin sur un p...more
Michael, lui, va retrouver Jon, alors qu'il est en train de déprimer... et si c'était une signe du destin? Jon est maintenant médecin sur un p...more
The second set of adventures with the residents of Barbary Lane in San Francisco. This is the last 'fun' book before things start to become definitely more weirder and the eighties start to bring in the more tragic plot elements. Although I love the series, Maupin isn't particularly successful at explaining his own continuity - and by that I mean why certain things happen 'between' books, and you're left feeling that that strains credulity more than the bizarre plot twists.
This is the 2nd book in the Tales series and picks up where the first one left off. You really have to have read the first in the series as we are acquainted with all the original characters and begin to learn more about their lives. There is a strange side story following Mary Anne's new boyfriend which involves some detective work but doesn't detract from the overall funniness of the book. If you loved the first book, you'll love this one too. I'm off to read the 3rd.
This has been on my must read list for so long. Stumbled across the full set in Adobe Books in the Mission during a recent holiday in San Francisco and ignored the weight challenges of hoiking the whole set back to Australia...especially as one was hardback and signed by Maupin ... if not to me! A book with characters you want to care about. Speeding through the pages all the more bearable because you .
I liked this one better than the first! I still adore Michael and love his relationship with Jon. I was intrigued by the Mrs. Madrigal/Mona relationship - thought it was a little obvious at times. I liked Burke, but found it a little off putting that he and Mary Ann were professing their love for each other after a week. I definitely like the DeDe & D'or relationship - took me a bit by surprise but I think that it makes DeDe a much more likeable character. Excited to move onto the next!
While More Tales seemed more unified than the first Tales I found myself longing for additional characters to widen the circle of people experiencing San Francisco. Maupin touches on the more serious issues of the day such as AIDS, transgender, rootlessness and racism but some of the situations felt hollow. Michael really came alive in this sequel. His emotions, longing and relationship with his parents resonated.
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Armistead Maupin was born in Washington, D.C., in 1944 but grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, he served as a naval officer in the Mediterranean and with the River Patrol Force in Vietnam.
Maupin worked as a reporter for a newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina, before being assigned to the San Francisco bureau of the Associated Press in 1971. In 19...more
More about Armistead Maupin...
Maupin worked as a reporter for a newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina, before being assigned to the San Francisco bureau of the Associated Press in 1971. In 19...more
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“Laugh all you want and cry all you want and whistle at pretty men in the street and to hell with anybody who thinks you're a damned fool!”
—
2,007 people liked it
“Oh, Mona, we're all damned fools! Some of us just have more fun with it than others. Loosen up, dear! Don't be so afraid to cry . . . or laugh, for that matter. Laugh all you want and cry all you want and whistle at pretty men in the street and to hell with anybody who thinks you're a damned fool!”
—
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