More Tales of the City

This book, published originally as a newspaper column about six months after the original "Tales of the City" series, is notable mostly because it clarifies all the mysteries surrounding Anna Madrigal, the elusive landlady featured at the center of all the novels. When the truth about her identity comes out, explaining why Norman was after her in the first book and for whom he worked, prepare to be stunned. Though the truth has always been just out-of-reach regarding Mrs. Madrigal, you're not going to believe the doozy in store for you.This book is also notable because it continues the story of Michael and Jon, featuring a touching scene in which Michael finally outs himself to his family. Also, since Michael spends much of the book coping with a case of temporary paralysis (which I still don't quite understand), there are all sorts of new jokes the howlingly funny, sarcastic character gets to make.As for Mary Ann, she opens up a bit more, which is welcome, and deals with a rather twisted mystery. And DeDe evolves into a far more interesting individual with the help of D'or, of all people.

Armistead Maupin's a marvel:his stories aren't only the funny and poignant tales of some significant representatives of humanity, there'also mystery and suspense, whit the strange story of Burke and his obsession whit roses and railings (how like many Hitchcock movies, like SCIARADA). An Ellery Queen -style riddle deepens the mystery (you have too many clues, says Jon to Mary Ann Singleton). Will the Barbary Lane Irregulars solve the Adventure of The Sacred Rock ? Meanwhile, we learn more about Mrs Madrigal's past,sympathize whit the gentle and brave Michael, bear witness to a weird affair of Brian (similar to some "Net romances" of today), watch a nasty individual do his worst and meet his comeuppance,and learn the unbelievable secrets of Pinus. Hey, how can you possibly want more?

Reading the 'Tales of the City'-Series was such a wonderful experience I could easily repeat it as much as I could. Maupin's style is so great and terrific, it's strange I hadn't heard of him that much, before I read it.The characters are surely some of the best ones ever created in literary history. The developement of the storyline is so surprising and unexpectable it's breath-taking. The twists and turns are so effective, because you seem to know the characters so well, and never had thought... well, you have to explore the secrets by yourself. I have never seen such a developement of characters. The same persons are totally different in the last book than in the first one. It's great.I won't rate every book differently, although they are very different. But they are so great alltogether and so well-connected it's hard to tell them apart.This is wonderful stuff!

The characters are at their strongest, most loveable, and most believable. (And in this series, that says a lot!)I think this is probably the most serious of the six books, which is probably why I love it the best. There are still humorous moments, but More Tales deals with issues: coming out to parents (and I agree with the reviewer who said Michael's letter to his parents should be required reading!), the formation of a relationship between a young woman and the father who abandoned her as a small child, the acceptance of mixed-race children (and racial issues more generally, as we see more of D'orothea), and the very literal search for identity in the case of one character suffering from amnesia.Mahvelous, dahlink! :)

OK, so it's not quiiiiiiite as good as the first one. But make no mistake about it - Michael Tolliver's coming out letter to his parents is one of the most significant, inspiring, empassioned, and beautifully articulated passages in the history of gay literature, and should be required reading for every gay man and woman, their friends, their parents, their families - and especially the Christian Right. It's worth the cover price alone for this stunning passage.But beyond that, there's still a heap of fun to be had by all; the seventies are beautifully evoked in all their carefree splendour, and Mouse remains one of the loveliest characters in modern fiction. Like a good wine, the series gets better with time. Savour it.