Tales of the City Audio Collection

Rating:
Summary: Will make you stay up WAY past your bedtime!
Review: "Tales of the City" will take you back in time to the carefree 1970s. The characters in these books become friends to the reader, and don't be surprised if you find yourself rooting for them and worrying about them. When I finished this book I felt sad to say goodbye to these people...BUT there are five more books in the series! Some of the funniest lines in literature are in these books. Do yourself a favor...READ THESE BOOKS. I guarantee you'll hold these characters in your heart forever.

Rating:
Summary: Welcome Home to a family you will call your own.
Review: I read the "Tales of the City" series many years ago, and recently re-read the entire series. What a wonderful time I had visiting this family that I called my own when I was 21. Read the books and you will not want it to end... Note to all, when you see a reference to a former teen idol "_____ _____" know that this is "Rock Hudson". This weekend, the Seattle Men's Chorus will be premiering a concert based on this series. The author, Armistead Maupin will be joining the guys of the chorus as they present passages from the books, along with music and some acted scenes. The concert is titled "Tunes from Tales (Music for Mouse)" and the focus is primarily of Michael Tolliver and his relationship with his new home San Francisco, his mother and the friends he now considers his family.

Rating:
Summary: Fantabulous!
Review: This book is like an old friend. It remains, in my opinion, one of the great works in contemporary American literature. (However, the proceeding 5 books pale in comparison.)

Rating:
Summary: You don't need a bookmark for this one
Review: I have just finished the first of the "Tales of the City" series and am proceeding to the next one. For a long time, I have stopped reading non-fiction as most of the novels these days are -- trite and predictable. I am not saying that this novel is a thriller but rather it is most entertaining. The message is conveyed well in simple language to the readers. If one has a vivid imagination and can feel the characters, then putting down the book is not an easy task. But if one needs to, then Maupin's short chapters are most convenient and no bookmark is required. I would say that the first book in this series is a good piece of modern day literature. And I do recommend that anyone who enjoys reading Maupin to also read English authoress, Jane Green's "Jemima Jones"

Rating:
Summary: Over-hyped
Review: After hearing so much about this book from so many people for such a long time, I walked out of the bookstore very excited and ready to immerse myself in the imaginary world of 28 Barbary Lane. I read a few chapters, surprised at the lack of eloquence, the shallow characters and the non-existence of a plotline. Surely, I thought, San Francisco's defining novel has to extend beyond the bedside adventures of a group of roughly drawn charicatures. Okay, I thought, I'd better stick with it; after all, with so much buzz, this has got to be a great piece of literature. But alas, the more I read, the more trite it got, until I was left with the sense of chewing a less than flavorful gum for much too long. What a disappointment! This might have been very daring in the 1970s with its open-minded take on gays, but today -- when thankfully society has become much more accepting -- it feels very, very dated. If anything, it serves as a telling "period piece" for the 1970s, reflecting much of the era's self-centeredness and superficiality, seasoned with some of the preachiness of the 1960s. However, since the author is clearly part of that culture instead of a critical observer, the lessons learned for the readers are limited.

Rating:
Summary: Okay. No more.
Review: After reading this, I found it hard to remember exactly what had happened in it. Some of the characters are interesting, especially Mrs. Madrigal and Michael Tolliver. But I have not felt the need to read the others, and will probably never need to re-read this one. An amusing diversion, nothing more.

Rating:
Summary: Maupin Groupie
Review: Truly, I don't believe that I have met *anyone* who hasn't completely fallen head over heels over the "Tales of the City" series. Once you dive in, you really cannot get out. I try to read the entire series every couple of years, and always feel a little twinge when it's over. Highly, HIGHLY recommended.

Rating:
Summary: It rocks!!!
Review: I love this book. It's the best thing I've ever read. When the mini sereies was on PBS originally I passed it up because I missed the first episode and I couldn't get into it, so I bought the book and I loved it. You know the old cliches, it made me laugh, it made me cry, blah, blah, blah. Well, it actually did. It is easily my favourite book of all time. I'd much rather re-read it than read the stuff that is compulsary for school. It is the best. I think everybody should read it!!!

Rating:
Summary: This book is impossible to put down!
Review: I began reading this book and I was instantly sucked in until it was completed. Reading this book, you began to feel like you are a part of the Barbary Lane crew, and seeing it come to a close is devistating. Until you discover that there are **five more books**! I was so enamoured with this book that I told all of my friends about it, lent my book(s) to them, and made an all night session out of videos of the PBS series. This is the kind of book you want to own and revisit every summer for late night reading.

Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: This book is great! Once I got it, I couldn't put it down. I finished the book in less than two days. I have since read More Tales and Further Tales, and anxiously awaiting the arrival of Babycakes, Significant Others, and Sure of You. I am hooked!