More Tales of the City

Author: Armistead Maupin

What is it about?

In this second part of the Chronicles of San Francisco, we learn more about the characters of 28 Barbary Lane and others. We meet some new people like Burke the most mysterious handsomest guy in the world for Mary Ann or the enigmatic lady from the eleventh. Some people are catching up after years and years of absence and Mrs Madrigal reveals her big secret at last.

What did I think about it?

First I had to familiarise myself again with the different characters and their stories as it’s been several months since I read the first book of the series. But everything came back quite quickly as it’s not that easy to forget all those unusual characters. What interested me the most in this book was the fact that the story was this time set up in 1977. Indeed, I have recently seen the film Milk which is telling the story of Harvey Milk who was elected in San Francisco in part to defend the homosexual rights. This dimension is very present in More Tales of the City as Michael has to deal with his parents who are not aware of his sexuality and are supporting the opponent to the homosexual right the very conservative Anita Bryant. As I had seen the film before, I could better visualise the places and the different political personalities that where mentioned in the story. I was more aware of the political climate of the time and therefore understood better what were exactly the characters’ concerns. As for the other aspects of the story it was also very interesting and I couldn’t wait to know more about the different secret of each characters. Except sometimes I just thought it was maybe a bit too much. For example the Burke’s mystery made me think a bit of an old version of the Da Vinci Code and the Mona’s family reunion seemed a bit too easy. But anyway it works and you are still happy to read about it and to share the characters’ joys and pains.

Number of pages: 288

Rating: ****

The 3 first sentences:

The valentine was a handmade pastiche of Victorian cherubs, pressed flowers and red glitter. Mary Ann Singleton took one look at it and squealed delightedly.

“Mouse! It’s magnificient.