I was late coming to Armistead Maupin's "Tales of the City" books. It wasn't until the broadcast of the 1994 television mini-series (based on the first book) that I was introduced to the residents of "28 Barbary Lane" and their San Francisco compatriots. From that point on I was hooked. I devoured the remaining five books of the series ("More Tales of the City," "Further Tales of the City," "Babycakes," "Significant Others," and "Sure of You") in less than two weeks. Michael, Anna, Mary Ann, and the rest of the gang helped me fall in love with the city of San Francisco, visiting time and again in awe and wonderment before finally settling here last year.Over the years, when running across a repeat of the mini-series on cable, I have often wondered where those beloved charcters would be today if they really existed (the final book took place between late 1988 and early 1989).
I wonder no more.
"Michael Tolliver Lives," while not really book 7 in the "Tales" series, brings one of the most beloved characters from those books (Michael "Mouse" Tolliver) into the 21st Century. Having been diagnosed with HIV by the time the series ended in 1989, it was thought Mouse wouldn't live too far into the 1990's. But new treatment and drug cocktails have given life back to Michael. He's now 55 years old, a bit heftier in the middle and a bit hollow of face, but still living in the Castro, still best friends with Brian Hawkins, and still making his living making things grow.
This new novel is told in the first-person, from Michael's perspective. And while a few have criticized Maupin for writing this story that way, I for one thought it was brilliant. Maupin's writing style shines here, and the main reason it does is because the words are coming through that beloved sweet-spirit we all fell in love with in the original series. For the main story in "Michael Tolliver Lives" is Michael himself, and the fact that - after years of preparing to die a young man - is now faced with the fact that he will very likely die an old man.
Indeed it could be argued that aging is the underlying premise of this book. One major storyline involves Michael's right-wing christian mother dying in Florida; and another deals with Anna Madrigal, that wonderfully graceful woman who Michael now refers to as, simply, "Anna" (as opposed to "Mrs. Madrigal" all those years ago), and how she deals with the daily chore of getting by at the age of 85.
Along the way we get updates on the rest of the gang. Some are pretty lengthy, others a bit too short and to the point. Some will leave you with a big wide grin, and others will have you reaching for the tissue box.
But one thing is for sure, you won't be able to put this book down. I finished it in two evenings, as if I were back in 1994 reading those first six books for the very first time.
I know these are fictional characters, but as a relatively new San Franciscan I must say there is a certain warm comfort in knowing that the men and women who helped me fall in love with this beautiful city are still among us. Their spirits have refuelled my wonder.
