Michael Tolliver Lives: A Novel (Tales of the City, 7)

When I first heard that Armistead Maupin was writing MICHAEL TOLLIVER LIVES, I wasn't sure I wanted to read it. Maupin would say time and again that MTL was not going to be a "Tales of the City" number 7, and I was not happy about that. Reading and enjoying all six TALES OF THE CITY books (1-3 being my favorites), I wanted more! Well I decided to give MTL a chance, and I'm glad I did. I LOVED it! Although it isn't a TOTC #7 book, there are enough appearances from familiar characters of "Tales..." that would keep even the most die hard fan satisfied. And these appearances are not random, gratuitous pop-ups; they push the story along and allow the reader to reconnect with the characters, particularly Michael Tolliver. The story begins in the current day--some 18 years after we last heard from the people of "Barbary Lane"--and gives us a sense of how much the world has changed, how much these characters have changed, and how much we have changed, ourselves. I'm not going to give out the plot, but in the last book (SURE OF YOU) Michael Tolliver he was preparing to die from AIDS. And since that didn't happen, he now has to face life like any other person getting older...finding a way to grow old gracefully. The MTL book ties up any loose ends that might have left readers hanging from TOTC book #6, SURE OF YOU. And it does so very nicely. Unlike the "Tales..." books, MTL revolves around the main character Michael Tolliver and is written in first person. Action follows a linear sequence, whereas "Tales..." had events happening simultaneously. I know I shouldn't be comparing, but it's hard not to. Aside from different layout/structure styles, Maupin's writing is still engaging and intimate and right on. MTL had me wrapped up in it, just as TOTC did when I first read it. There were moments that had me in tears. I don't think you have to read the other six TOTC books to enjoy MTL since there is enough backstory provided to make sense of certain events/characters. But I wonder if it changes the emotional impact? Maybe not, but I'll never know since I know these characters so well. And if you are a "Tales..." fan wondering if this book is worth reading, trust me it is. Despite Maupin saying this is not a sequel, it's enough of one to make us long for more.

Maupin's "Tales of the City" novels had an undeniable impact on my life. I was a closeted college sophomore when I checked the first three books out of the Springfield, MA library in the Fall of 1990. I had a feeling I was coming late to the "Tales" party at that point but was instantly taken with 28 Barbary lane and its inhabitants. I was so square at 19 that the thought of a pot smoking landlady made me vaguely uncomfortable; I don't miss those days or my old rigid self. At the age of 22, the landmark PBS miniseries had me spending my tax refund check on a ten day vacation to San Francisco so that I could check out the city Maupin immortalized on my own. Any misgivings about a pot smoking landlady were gone. So now, thirteen years after I read the last book in the series, I was over the moon to see "Michael Tolliver Lives." But after reading two negative critic reviews, I was worried. Could this book measure up to my memories? Yes, and then some. "Michael Tolliver Lives" is different than the previous novels in the "Tales" series; this is one man's, first person narrative, unlike the multi-character structure of the other "Tales" books. But "Michael Tolliver Lives" is as wonderful, moving and beautiful as anything Maupin's ever written (quick plug for "Maybe the Moon.") Here are the characters we know and love. Times have changed, but Mouse and Brian and Anna Madrigal, the pot smoking landlady (and some others, but that'd be ruining the surprise) are here and take no time making us love them again. As the title implies, this is Michael's (aka Mouse) tale. Mouse is as sharp as ever and his wry observations make you realize how much you've missed him. In this book, we learn more about his family: his mother, his brother, his sister in law, and see Michael come to an even deeper understanding of the role he's played in his family's life, and outside of it. This part of the book was one that stayed with me; some of Michael's thoughts are exactly where I have been at times, and that recognition really got to me. (Another nice moment of identification for me is when Michael cites the scene in "Poltergeist" when JoBeth Williams feels her daughter's soul move through her. I thought I was the only one who appreciates that scene.) The novel also reflects the crazy times we live in, as Maupin has always done from the hedonistic 70s to the Reagan 80s to now. It's nice to know that we're all in this together. It's been indescribably wonderful to catch up with our old friends (I've grown to love the pot smoking landlady immensely and wish I'd "known" her personally) and see how they've been surviving. In these post-9/11 years, we need our friends from Barbary Lane. And here they are.

Having been a fan of 'Tales of the City' for many years I was delighted to discover this latter offering from Armistead Maupin. It is a wonderful return to the life of Michael Tolliver, the likeable and endearing character from the 'Tales' series. The story comes full circle in terms of Michael's relationship with his family and sees him happy in a relationship with the lovely Ben. As usual Anna Madrigal is a key character and the introduction of Jake, Anna's young neighbour brings a new and interesting thread to the story. An update on the life of Brian and Mary Ann's adoptive daughter Shawna is welcome. As usual with Maupin, the story is not predictable but keeps the reader interested and delighted through the lives of character's and the city we have come to love as a result of this fabulous series of books.

Bien sûr aussi bon que tous les autres (Tales of the City); ce livre un peu à part de la série est malgré tout aussi bon. On aimerait bien encore une suite.....

ゲイのマイケルが自分の人生を語っている物語。 HIV陽性のゲイの恋愛、ゲイむけの「出会い系サイト」の話、 「サンフランシスコのセックスシーンを斬る！」ブロガーとして 風俗店で実際に働いて取材をしちゃうマイケルの親友の娘… 性転換した元女性で今は「ゲイ」として生きている男の子の苦悩… などなど、！！！の要素がまたまた満載ですが、 Tales of the Cityシリーズ同様、 今回も根底にあるテーマは家族。 ずっと、ゲイであるマイケルのありのままを 受け入れてくれなかった家族との葛藤とその結末、 理想の家族の裏の姿、そして、それを ふまえた家族の新たなスタート…。 クライマックスには思わず涙がとまりませんでした。 何度も何度も読み返したくなる作品です。 でも、ほんとうは日本語で読みたいです…。

If you enjoyed the other books in the series of "Tales of the City" and you're invested in the characters then you'll like this book. I think Maupin writes what he knows and what he is interested in. He doesn't write the same way than he did in his earlier works because he is not the same person. In some ways the book reads like life imitating art, Maupin is not as whacky and playful as he was in his earlier works but I am hooked and the book reads like an old friend coming over for a visit. I'm not totally hooked on this first person bit, makes me think too much like I am hearing from Maupin and not from Michael but I enjoyed the book and looking forward to the next one in the series.

Could this book live up to the wonderful Tales of the City series? I approached it half-expecting a let-down. Well this book certainly isn't a let-down though it is different in style. Maupin has a real gift for creating a world, however weird, that you can believe in. He populates that world with eccentric but loveable characters that you really care about. Although the book is essentially light and humorous, Maupin, as before, manages to illuminate deeper human issues with tenderness and emotion but still with a wry smile. In this book death, loss of various types, love between older and younger and aging (to list but a few) all have a gentle light shed upon them. In the best sense an "easy read" because he writes so beautifully. A lovely book that I could not put down.