More Tales of the City

More Real City Life Captured by Maupin

Maupin hits stride in his second book with Mary Ann, the archetypal young single woman, continuing to loosen up in San Francisco in the seventies with the help of the residents of the Barbary Lane including the gay but fretful Michael, the slightly lost Mona, the carnally hungry Brian, and the extremely well adjusted but mysterious Anna Madrigal. These characters, their lovers, and friends make for a most realistic, funny, and charming portrait of gay and straight life in the seventies in San Francisco. The overall plot involving a nice guy with serious enigmatic phobias is the least reason for enjoying these books. The real reason to enjoy these books is to see the various character's lives intersect in the most unexpected ways and for them to treat each other with all the respect, dignity, and kindness that nice people of any sort deserve. (which excludes the dastardly Beachamp Day) The narration by Cynthia Nixon is the best so far. (I've heard four of these books now.) Nixon's tender voice is an excellent match for the gentle souls of this series. She reads with the perfect blend of narration and acting skills. Rachel Maddow's (oh and that's... "sweet but all-too-short") preface hits just the right note for this ground-breaking series that, rightly, treats being gay as a perfectly normal preference given to some people at birth. If you are considering this, be sure to buy the first book "Tales of the City" first. The whole thing makes far more sense when experienced in order. Not recommended for the close-minded or prudish with lots of frank sexual discussion.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

more from the culture wars

Armistead writes and his troop marches on through the tricky waters of the 70's Although written with humorous insight and wit, some of the pop culture references may be lost on less savvy younger readers

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Delightful!

I like the depth of the characters and the exciting storyline. I love hearing about San Francisco.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Doesn't Disappoint

Superb performance and riveting to the end. The characters become your extended family, and you don't want to leave 28 Barbary Lane.

Wonderful

I love this book it's so moving so alive can't wait to listen to more

Great Story, Fair-to-Middling Narration

Any additional comments?

I have loved Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City series since I was in college. They are absolutely masterful. And while Cynthia Nixon has a lovely voice, she simply cannot handle the dialogue. Her narration is strangely lifeless, which is odd because she's a wonderful actor.

Fun and Frivolous Fantasy

More Tales of the City has the same great narrator as the first book of the series. It's light, funny, colorful and heartwarming-- a good antidote to and respite from the serious realities of life. Since I am conservative culturally and politically, I was amazed at finding them entertaining, rather than offensive.

Ms M is the best

Would you listen to More Tales of the City again? Why?

the People are so intresting and almost like friends, u can speak to them in your mind when u are listening to the story

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mrs M is fantastic, and I like Mona and her braind of crazy

What does Cynthia Nixon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

she's fantastic and she really get's into the story telling.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the meeting between, mother Mucka and Mrs. M

Any additional comments?

Love the series am thinking that the 3rd part is next on my list

Love the book but

I didn't like how the reader pronounced the Halcyon name. There were a few other words mispronounced as well. The producer should have corrected the reader.

Second is a good as the first

Cynthia Nixon is a fabulous reader I loved how she engages the listener through her present the second novel in the Tales of The City series. You will love it like I have.