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Tales of the City: A Novel (P.S.)
 
 
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Tales of the City: A Novel (P.S.) (Paperback)

by Armistead Maupin (Author) "MARY ANN SINGLETON WAS TWENTY-FIVE YEARS old when she saw San Francisco for the first time..." (more)
Key Phrases: fag hag, Mary Ann, Barbary Lane, San Francisco (more...)
4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (109 customer reviews)

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Frequently Bought Together

Tales of the City: A Novel (P.S.) + More Tales of the City (Showtime Tie-In Edition) + Further Tales of the City (Tales of the City Series, V. 3)
Price For All Three: $36.15

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Since 1976, Maupin's Tales of the City has etched itself upon the hearts and minds of its readers, both straight and gay. From a groundbreaking newspaper serial in the San Francisco Chronicle to a bestselling novel to a critically acclaimed PBS series, Tales (all six of them) contains the universe--if not in a grain of sand, then in one apartment house. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly
Maupin's alternately playful and sentimental tales depict an all-too-easily satirized population of transients and toffs living in and around San Francisco.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Harper Perennial (May 29, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061358304
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061358302
  • Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (109 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,988 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #1 in  Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( M ) > Maupin, Armistead
    #93 in  Books > Literature & Fiction > Comic

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Customer Reviews

109 Reviews
5 star:
 (78)
4 star:
 (21)
3 star:
 (5)
2 star:
 (4)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (109 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful starting point for a brilliant satire, December 15, 1999
By Matthew D. Hydeman "voyage" (Tucson, Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
First things first when it comes to reading Maupin's Tales of the City series -- learn to read in segments. This first book flashes from place to place and character to character swiftly so that the reader can get an overall picture of the situation. Quite honestly, it reads much like if it were a television series (which it was on PBS and Showtime...two miniseries, so far). Thus, if you expect it to be full of long chapters and focusing on a conversation or situation for a long while, you're going to be disappointed (much as one of the more recent reviewers of this book was, I note). Maupin's tale of a newcomer to San Francisco, the naive and reserved Mary Ann Singleton, and her misadventures with the residents of Barbary Lane (Mrs. Madrigal, the gay and proud Michael, the liberated Mona, etc.) is the stuff of Dickens' serials, brought to the 1970s in a flash of humor, adventure and out-and-out 1970s wackiness. I have read and re-read and re-re-read the entire series over and over again and have never failed to be entertained by the characters or the situations they find themselves in. Truly one of the most brilliant series out there. Give it a chance -- you won't regret it!
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant, nostalgic expose of kinder and gentler times, November 6, 1998
By A Customer
I first read "Tales of the City" in its first printing in the late 1970's and waited with baited breath for the next edition to be printed. Each time I picked up a new book, it was like visiting with old friends. All of Armistead Maupin's characters are so real that I shall never again visit San Francisco without thinking about Mrs. Madrigal, Michael "Mouse" Tolliver, Mary Ann Singleton or Mona. I especially liked the way in which Armistead Maupin delved into the psyches of each character. As the character of Michael was exactly my age when he was first created, and continued to age along with myself throughout the series, I very easily identified with his changing views of life in the city. It's a wonderful read which is a must for every serious library.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A tale of my own, February 10, 2000
By Lewis Payton (Perth, Australia) - See all my reviews
I read the 'Tales' series in 1994. I remember cracking open the first book and falling in love within the first few pages. These were characters that I really wanted to get to know, here was a picture of gay love that wasn't veiled or shadowed.

A week went by spent entirely with my new friends (interrupted only by an inconvenient search through the bookstores of Perth for an elusive copy of 'Further Tales').

I remember almost going into shock when I closed 'Sure of You', so strongly had Mouse and co. entered into my life. How could I return to my dull life after such pleasure and joy! Well I did, and a year later (the day I saw the 'Tales' mini-series at a film festival) I came out to my best friend. I realised that it was time to take some of that joy and freedom off the pages and the screen and into my own life. Six years later, I'm happy to report that there's many an interesting 'tale' to tell...

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Over the Rainbow
If you're looking for a wonderful trip to a fantasy land, this is the book for you! The good news is that the trip won't end after this book. Read more
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1.0 out of 5 stars No heart!
I know I am going to be in the minority here, but this is the most overrated novel I have read in a very long time. Read more
Published 3 months ago by B. Wilfong

3.0 out of 5 stars Maupin: Well known, but new to me.
Who am I to review this man's writings? Still, it's fun to be asked to share my ignorance. Many books, by todays' authors, are touted as being hysterically funny, etc... Read more
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This book will make you laugh, cry, and leave you hungry for more. Do yourself a favor and read the entire series. Read more
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3.0 out of 5 stars Sister Carrie Goes to San Francisco
This is a fun, late-20th Century take on the old theme of the virtuous midwestern girl who moves to the big city. Read more
Published 16 months ago by CJA

5.0 out of 5 stars If you can't wear some flowers in your hair
If you are going to San Francisco be sure to wear some flowers in your hair, someone sang. If you are not going - but you want to, just for starters pick a copy of Armistead... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Alysson Oliveira

5.0 out of 5 stars A Modern Day Classic
Armistead Maupin not only captures the zeitgeist of San Francisco in the '70s, but through his characters, carries us through moments of the human condition, seperate from time,... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Joseph J. Keenan

4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting characters
This book really gets involved with individual characters which make it extremely interesting...All the different types that their paths meet and how different people can be but... Read more
Published 22 months ago by T. Farrell

5.0 out of 5 stars A glimpse at a time and a place ...
Every now and then an author is able to capture the "magic" - flavor may be a more accurate description - of a time and place. Read more
Published 23 months ago by doc peterson

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful comic soap
Centred on 28 Barbary Lane, San Francisco, the home of Anna Madrigal, Tales of the City chronicles the day to day life of Mrs Madrigal and her assorted tenants, along with their... Read more
Published on June 16, 2007 by Benjamin

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