Babycakes (Tales of the City Series, V. 4) by Armistead Maupin
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Book Reviews of Babycakes (Tales of the City Series, V. 4)
Book Review: My second-favorite in the series
Summary: 5 Stars
Further Tales went a little too far into the absurd. Babycakes is MUCH better in this regard. Strange things happen, but it's not entirely impossible to suspend disbelief. And like More Tales (my favorite of the series), Babycakes deals sensitively with a number of controversial issues. I was particularly impressed that (unlike some gay authors) Maupin shows the same sensitivity to and in-depth look at the problems his heterosexual characters face (i.e. Brian's infertility) as the problems of his gay characters.
I was a bit upset by the off-stage death of a major character in the series from AIDS, but Maupin write well about the affect the death had on his partner and the others who were close to him.
Book Review: Oh baby! What a book!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm sad just knowing that I only have two books left to read in the series. I intend to go as long as I can between them just so I can stretch the enjoyment out as far as possible. Babycakes (vol 4) is by far the best book since the first Tales. Suspenseful, funny and sad (Michael's conversation with Mrs. Madrigal about Jon brought me to tears), Never once do I think these characters are phoney or unbelievable. The way Maupin writes, you'd think he'd spent his whole life with his characters (maybe he did). Read it!!Book Review: Maupin's Magical San Francisco
Summary: 5 Stars
Mrs. Madrigal and her team of tenants continue to reveal the wacky and zany "only in San Francisco" adventures on Barbery Lane. If New York was the haven for the Mid-West "oddballs" ... San Francisco was the paradise for every "oddball" in the world. Psychedelic without apology, rebellious with a cause, exerpimental without limit, Tales of the City's Babycakes are yet another chapter in the social commentary of the most beautiful and most "dancing to the beat of their own drum" city in the world.Book Review: Breathtaking,heartbreaking,fantastic,as always
Summary: 5 Stars
What Maupin didn't cover in Babycakes wouldn't be worth writing about anyway!!!He has the talent to take you to the place and be with the family we all know and love.How I wish I could be living in Barbary Lane...Book Review: A darker time begins
Summary: 4 Stars
A lot of readers consider this the beginning of the darker "Tales" books, but that's only half-true. "Babycakes" does go into darker territory, reflecting the changes happening in San Francisco, but the following book in the "Tales" series, "Significant Others" is lighter and has some classic moments. Maupin has said he could not ignore what was happening in the gay community at the time, and who can blame him? To have written another "Tales" story set in 1983 and not mention the AIDS crisis would have been silly. Yes, we liked our SF stories light, but the books never shied away from cultural commentary.
That said, I will be honest and say "Babycakes" is my least favorite of the "Tales" series. It's not because of the mention of AIDS (plus, Maupin's writing in this book is even stronger then before), it's partly because of the grayness. This book seems to be set in perpetual rainfall, drizzle, overcast skies. This also reflects on the characters (Mary Ann and Brian even have gray industrial carpet) and their actions.
But my biggest problem of all with the novel is the character of Simon. Maupin has always written cleverly and often, we have no idea where a story will end up (as seen in this same book when Michael discovers Mona in the UK), but with Simon, the reader knows exactly where the story's going. There's no fun mystery, and indeed, only a last minute (but highly, HIGHLY implausible) revelation by Simon gives this a tiny moment of the unexpected. Simon also never comes alive as a character as do other new characters introduced in the book (like Wilfred and Teddy) and may as well walk around with "plot device" on his shirt.
On the plus side, it's great to see Mona again. If you're not happy with this book, just remember it's not the end of the Barbary Lane gang so just see it as a book of character growth and development and wish them well for their next adventure.