Significant Others

Readers familiar with Maupin's Tales of the City series will greet this latest installment like a welcome visit from old friends. Once again, the action focuses on the misadventures of a cross-section of San Franciscans, who this time take to the country for a late summer weekend in three separate gender-segregated retreats: a gay resort, a lesbian music festival and the infamous encampment of privilege at Bohemian Grove. While the trio of settings couldn't be farther apart in spiritat least on the surfacethey all are within shouting distance of each other on the banks of the Russian River, and the three worlds, inevitably, collide.

One of my favorite of Maupin's books. Once again, the action focuses on the misadventures of a cross-section of San Franciscans, who this time take to the country for a late summer weekend in three separate gender-segregated retreats: a gay resort, a lesbian music festival and the infamous encampment of privilege at Bohemian Grove. While the trio of settings couldn't be farther apart in spiritat least on the surfacethey all are within shouting distance of each other on the banks of the Russian River, and the three worlds, inevitably, collide. With its blend of satire, slapstick and melodrama, the novel, which originated as a newspaper serial, is as light as a souffle, although the very real threat of AIDSwhich has claimed one show more character's gay lover and seems to be closing in on another character, a philandering husband who panics after a brush with illnessgives the story relevance and impact. Maupin writes with a warmth and humor that is sorely missed in some recent gay novels having more overtly literary aspira show less

Very very fun. A fast-moving ride. I recently finished 'Babycakes' after several years since reading the earlier books in the series and I had a little struggle with that one reconnecting with the cast of characters. Since they were still fresh in my mind, i figured why not continue on. And what a great idea! This is like a sitcom in book form. Interesting, flawed characters plunging through life, making some bad decisions while doing their best.....all start on a collision course for a ridiculous clash of cultures. Silly situations populated with silly people that you cannot help but root for. Slightly dated, for sure, but it was my time, so I'm thrilled with the dated-ness. Do not think this would necessarily stand so well on its own show more without the context of the earlier books, but well worth the brief amount of time invested to barrel through. Think I'll read the final one in this series soon. Yay. show less

Most light-hearted of the second group of three books, with a wonderful farcical story line involving neighbouring all-male and all-female holiday retreats. There's a new romantic interest for Michael, whilst Mary Ann and Brian and DeDe and D'Or all find their relationships being tested. AIDS is still there in the background, but we're allowed to feel a little bit more positive about life.

Better to review these together as my comments will almost certainly apply equally.

If you're not already aware of the Tales of the city books, then you're missing a treat. I think they were originally written as a newspaper serial, so the chapters are short & snappy. All the characters interlink, some directly, some in the most haphazard manner, but always in an amusing and touching way.

Mostly they are centred on Mrs Madrigals house in Barberry Lane, San Francisco and her wierd & wonderful tennants. They fall in and out of love, find they are related in random ways. In particular, there is a strong thread of non-traditional(desperately searching for a better work here, but just can't put my finger on one) relationships and how AIDS show more ravaged the gay community in San Francisco.

These two books are the last in the original series (although he has written a couple more since - along the lines of a 20 years on catch up for a couple of characters) and follow the usual pattern. I guess they're really a written Soap Opera, but so much better.

Always a delight to read & always a very quick read as you can't put them down until you find out what happens & how all the the threads are going to come together. Better search out the 20 year catch ups now! show less

It has been so long since I read the earlier books of Tales of the City that I had lost track of the plot arcs and who everyone was but it slowly came back to me in this wonderful and wistfully sweet romp.

Sadly, almost every character in this particular book annoyed me, except Michael and DeDe. This was the "darkest" books yet in the series. I found nothing "uplifting". I guess that's how life goes - and this is about the characters lives.