4 stars for being a comfort read that I ate right through. was happy to be back with the (modified) gang...
of the whole series, this one's on the lowe4 stars for being a comfort read that I ate right through. was happy to be back with the (modified) gang...
of the whole series, this one's on the lower end of the quality spectrum. some mistakes. another reviewer said this one has a preachy tone, and it does, it's kind of cringe. issues could have been worked through in a better, more subtle way, and across more pages. it's a soapy series, but the extremes of this one (regal foreign setting, theme of physical violence) made it come across as silly (derogatory)
But it was nice to have another book! 9 was supposed to be the last. If there's another, I'll still read it in earnest...more
Was skeptical about the merits of this one at first, as it is more of a spinoff surrounding Michael's escapades rather than a true TOTC, but it definiWas skeptical about the merits of this one at first, as it is more of a spinoff surrounding Michael's escapades rather than a true TOTC, but it definitely pulled through. I actually enjoyed this much more than the last 2 or 3 in the series. We jump ~15 years ahead to a post-9/11 America to find Michael (and Brian) navigating older life amidst the newest generation of queers, a much more gender-diverse crowd with new attitudes. The most significant themes of the novel revolve around age and illness and death, but these subjects are handled so comfortably by an expansive loving family. Despite the endearing takeaways, I'm mostly going to be thinking about Christian puppet shows....more
really nice and touching memoir, of course his writing is always so easy and comforting to me. some neat glimpses into queer history, funny and absurdreally nice and touching memoir, of course his writing is always so easy and comforting to me. some neat glimpses into queer history, funny and absurd and tragic-but-hopeful anecdotes of 70s-80s san francisco. Fascinating to learn the origins of Tales of the City, once an 800-word serial in the daily newspaper, and to learn how each character was drawn to life.
super interesting to learn about his time serving in vietnam and his strange life as a young southern conservative. overall, though, he mostly recounts memories of family, those assigned by lineage as well as those brought together by logic and fate. the book could have been longer to fill in some gaps and to let me indulge in his stories a little bit longer, but it's a complete work as is. I don't really have the words to describe what else i feel about it, but i recommend this to everyone.
so happy to have spotted it at the library book sale, i snatched it so fast...more
Going to finish the series soon.... I recommend Tales of the City to everyone as always....
Probably the least exciting book of the series so far, not Going to finish the series soon.... I recommend Tales of the City to everyone as always....
Probably the least exciting book of the series so far, not too much happens, aside from Mary Ann becoming more unbearable, playing victim and neglecting her family. But the characters are still so real and ever maturing; Michael's HIV status plays a big role in this new depth of character, but it also reveals peoples' naivety and paranoia and inability to handle the present. it's a very difficult and true window into late 80s san francisco.
Regardless, the chosen family theme is hitting strongly and I could only dream of living at 28 Barbary Lane. Queen Anna Madrigal galavanting in Lesbos.... so lovely . Michael remains the superior character and the most relatable as everyone's mediator. I hope to find another book series that feels as homey as this one.
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