Michael Tolliver Lives: A Novel by Armistead Maupin Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Michael Tolliver Lives: A Novel
Book Review: Some tales aren't worth the telling
Summary: 1 Stars
I read all the previous tales of the city books dozens of times, I loved them. This book, on the other hand sucks. Part of the magic of tales were the charecter driven plots, we got to see numerous chaecters encounter and interact with each other. Like when Brian had a one night stand with Connie whom the readers had already met as Mary Ann's friend from Cleveland. Now, nothing can happen if it doesn't happen to or around Michael and we can only be clued in to his thought process. I suppose it is nice to know what happened to some people, but Killing off Mona didn't seem to serve a purpose and Mary Ann ends up as some sort of afterthought.
Oh and how many times can we be reminded just how young and hot Ben is?
Book Review: An Enjoyable Look at Some Old Favorite Characters
Summary: 4 Stars
Michael Tolliver Lives by Armistead Maupin is great fun and about an hour or two of reading. It's not quite a sequel to the Tales of the City books (maybe it's a companion novel). It features some of the same characters, many years later, but is not as episodic and has a much smaller character set and less of a soap opera feeling. It focuses on Michael, the character always most like Maupin himself. Like Maupin, Michael is now in his sixties and has a much younger lover.
The plot centers around Michael's relationship with Ben, the new lover, and with Michael's family of origin, who are undergoing trauma of various kinds as Michael's mother becomes sicker. It's not as serious or as multi-layered a book as The Night Listener but it's fun and funny often and an easy light read.
Book Review: Maupin Pulls It Off
Summary: 5 Stars
I was so happy to see Maupin return to San Francisco and the characters from his Tales of the City. However, I approached this novel with some trepidation, as sequels so long after the originals can be disappointing. Fortunately, I wasn't disappointed at all. The novel focuses on Michael aka Mouse, and his life as a middle aged HIV positive man. Other Tale's characters enter, but don't expect a Tales style relationship.
I've noticed other reviewers wonder if much of Mouse's present day life mimics the author's; I found myself thinking this at various points. Supposedly Maupin's Night Listener was based on events in the authors life so perhaps this is how he develops his stories. Either way, Michael Tolliver Lives is an enjoyable trip back to SF, and a quick and light read for those who are looking for a little vacation.
Book Review: God, I wanted to love this book
Summary: 2 Stars
No doubt, Maupin is a great wit and very good writer, but this book should've, could've , would've been SO much better if it, quite simply, developed its themes and narrative more--characterization, too. I laughed. I cried. I laughed and cried. But at the end of the day I felt Mr. Maupin went for the quick sell, rather than creating a good piece of literature. Very episodic, too. Terribly dissapointed, but still have a fondnes for Mr. Maupin and his fictional Michael Tolliver that will never abate.Book Review: So Armistead, Are you Michael?
Summary: 5 Stars
This seventh installment of "The Tales of The City" series is among the best of them! It was so great to hear about what is going on in Michael's life. There are visits with some of the characters from the earlier novels, as well as some new friends, such as Patreese, a wonderful character who is Michael's mother hairdresser...the way Michael and he become acquainted is an enjoyable story line. Additionally, we get to meet Michael's new husband, Ben, who is much younger than Michael, and getting an insight into their relationship was most enjoyable. This new installment also allows us to revisit Brian, Mary Ann, Mrs. Madrigal, and we get to know Shawna, the child who was left by one of Mary Ann's friends from Ohio (Connie Bradshaw), to her and Brian when they were married. Additionally, we meet Jake, a female to male transexual who works for Michael in his gardening business. Anyway, as always Mr. Maupin is a master at creating the most interesting and life-like characters. Having read this complete series and after reading a recent article about the author, I am now wondering if Armistead isn't actually Michael in the flesh? So Armistead are you?...and do we have an additional installment on the horizon? PS: You don't have to read the previous installments to enjoy this one, but if you have you are in for a major reading treat!