Tales Of The City
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Product Description
Book Description
The first volume in the widely acclaimed and much-loved series
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
San Francisco, 1976. A naïve young secretary, fresh out of Cleveland, tumbles headlong into a brave new world of laundromat Lotharios, pot-growing landladies, cut throat debutantes, and Jockey Shorts dance contests. The saga that ensues is manic, romantic, tawdry, touching, and outrageous - unmistakably the handiwork of Armistead Maupin.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Found the first two on the shelves of the house in San Francisco where I was staying last week. Had just sprained ankle, so forced so sit in sun and read novels with foot on cushion all day (it was hell...) now home I hobbled to library and got out next two in series. What is it about some books - or perhaps some writers - that really makes you feel good? Can't say Maupin has actually cured the ankle, but the discovery of his books so late in my life (don't ask, honey) has certainly lifted my spirits. Another feel good book is "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith (yes the 1001 dalmatians author) which came out in WW2 before you were born sweetie, but has the same way of treating adult subjects seriously and yet lightly and humourously. So glad I sprained my ankle. I think.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've been meaning to read this ever since the Channel 4 adaptation in 1993, which starred Olympia Dukakis and Laura Linney.
The novel was first published in 1978 after being serialised in the San Francisco Chronicle. In it Armistead Maupin captures the spirit and atmosphere of a society with liberal attitudes to sex, sexuality and drugs. As such, the book does not seem as dated as it might have done.
The book follows the stories of around eight archetypal characters, from the naïve Mary Ann to the wise (but mysterious) Mrs Madrigal, the openly and flamboyantly gay (Michael) to the secretive and sinister (Norman). Centred on the lodgings run by Mrs Madrigal, and the "family" of residents, this is a book about friendship, relationships and the (often unexpected) connections between people.
While some of the references may be dated and specific to San Francisco, the book is a joy to read. The short chapters and easy-going style make it eminently readable.
The novel was first published in 1978 after being serialised in the San Francisco Chronicle. In it Armistead Maupin captures the spirit and atmosphere of a society with liberal attitudes to sex, sexuality and drugs. As such, the book does not seem as dated as it might have done.
The book follows the stories of around eight archetypal characters, from the naïve Mary Ann to the wise (but mysterious) Mrs Madrigal, the openly and flamboyantly gay (Michael) to the secretive and sinister (Norman). Centred on the lodgings run by Mrs Madrigal, and the "family" of residents, this is a book about friendship, relationships and the (often unexpected) connections between people.
While some of the references may be dated and specific to San Francisco, the book is a joy to read. The short chapters and easy-going style make it eminently readable.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Before the 1990s TV show with Sarah Jessica Parker, the Tales of the City books by Armistead Maupin were beautiful evocations of young city life in San Francisco. The fact that the sexual revolution had been in full swing for a long time - and that HIV and AIDS were part of an unknown future - are what make the series of books so charming. Certainly they were what everyone was reading on the London Underground in 1994.
I can only invite you to enter the charmed world of San Francisco, with its pyramid, its entry-level drug and club nightclub scene, the beginnings of the the fitness and muscle craze and the gay scene at its high point. It is all captured perfectly here, just as Dickens captured the Industrial Revolution.
I can only invite you to enter the charmed world of San Francisco, with its pyramid, its entry-level drug and club nightclub scene, the beginnings of the the fitness and muscle craze and the gay scene at its high point. It is all captured perfectly here, just as Dickens captured the Industrial Revolution.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Nice.
Almost every time people in London have heard that I'm from San Francisco they've immediately gushed about Maupin's Tales of the City and then been shocked to hear that I, a native... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Skylark
a wasted day
I got this book as a Christmas present after hearing rave reviews on the radio about it for years. Started the book with high expectations which were quickly dashed. Read more
Published 5 months ago by peter disappointed
I'd forgotten how good this was!
It's been twenty years since I last read this, and probably about the same time since I saw the series that came from it. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jayney reads
The good old days of SF
Tales of the City is a fast-paced page-turner that you won't put down until you're finished, I read it cover to cover in a few hours! Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. R. A. Williams
A popular favourite but...
Originally published in 1978, Tales of the City is the first instalment of Armistead Maupin's popular series of novels. Read more
Published 13 months ago by S. K.
Love it or hate it, you'll still be glad you read it!
Tales of the City recounts the lives of a group of people rooming in a house in San Fransisco at the height of Flower Power. A story of love (free and otherwise! Read more
Published 15 months ago by Easterchick
Over-rated
I read this book as it was featured on BBC's Bookclub. Usually the books reviewed there are fantastic, but this one was a real let-down. Read more
Published 22 months ago by I. Bleken
Fabulous read
I read this while by the pool in Vegas and went to San Fran a couple of days later. Maupin pens with humour and heart, they are a musr-read for any San-Fran-fan.
Published 22 months ago by Jess
A good, fun read
I started this series as 3 of them had been left on our bookshelves at work. Unfortunately it was the 2nd, 4th and 5th books that had been left. Read more
Published on 12 Feb 2010 by Mrs. S. Payne
Plus and Minus
I liked the story lines and characters in Tales of the City, but found the writing style extremely pretentious and irritating. For me, this detracted from the novel. Read more
Published on 31 Dec 2009 by C. J. Luke
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