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: A Turn at the Darker side of "Tales,"
Summary: 4 Stars
When I picked up "Babycakes," I was on a happy high. I'd learned there was more than just the three "Tales" books with the characters I'd met and loved from the "Tales of the City" trilogy. I was all ready to jump into that delightful care-free world (albeit a little reticent to bump into something like Jim Jones again, who showed up in "Further Tales of the City" and is the only disbelief I was unwilling to suspend).However, staying true to the reality of the movement and the 80s, I found AIDS, death, decay and the long slide down from the fun and energy from the first three books. I didn't mind, though it was a bit of slap in the face, and the death of a major character to AIDS before the book even begins was a real punch in the stomach.
Put simply, Maupin drove home, hard, how vivid the change was for those who had existed in the care-free seventies, who found themselves suddenly trapped in the shallow, AIDS-ridden eighties.
The characters are back in full company, with the death of one major character, and the introduction of a few others. The story still focuses mostly around Michael and Mary Anne to my mind, but the rest of the "Tales" folk are definately along for the ride. The topics darken up a bit, and reality is definitely in play this time. I reccommend it, but with the warning that you're not getting the same care-free tone of the "Tales" trilogy - for the seventies are over.
Book Review: Another good read from Maupin
Summary: 4 Stars
Yet another series of adventures for the delightful characters that populate Maupin's books, this time with a bittersweet twist: the reality of AIDS. Because Maupin's Tales of the City books are generally so lighthearted, zany and playful, when the story opens with Michael mourning his lover, it hits pretty hard. Despite the slight bittersweetness, this installment of the series features all of Maupin's signature flourishes and his wonderful sense of humor.
If your looking for light, breezy stories and likable characters you couldn't find anywhere but San Francisco, then buy this series of books and get started reading. You'll quickly get addicted. For those of you San Franciscans past and present who've never read Maupin, he's worth a look. If nothing else his books will make you remember why San Francisco was once such an interesting and fun place to live and what's sorely missing from it today!
Book Review: Babycakes
Summary: 4 Stars
I did enjoy this story in the Tales of the City series. My favorite is still the first one, but i love all these characters and can't get enough of them. Good read.Book Review: Enough pizazz for a fun read, but almost pulp fiction
Summary: 3 Stars
Armistead Maupin wrote two dynamite novels in the series, *Tales of the City*, and then kind of ran out of steam. I found *Babycakes* to be more satisfying than the previous book (which featured the Reverend Jim Jones, among other absurdities), but it clearly is not as inspired as the first two novels in this series.Maupin is at his witty and irreverent best in his depiction of the small details related to the life and times of his characters. The plot of this story, however, borders on the inane at times. There are too many unbelievable coincidences, too many fortuitous events and moments. I also have grown weary of the ever-present subtexts of gay/lesbian hipness and the shallow Wonderfulness of the transsexual Anna Madrigal. This all seemed kind of refreshing twenty years ago, but by now it comes across as tiresome and preachy. Of course, this book was written in the early eighties, so it may just be a case of the material becoming somewhat dated.
The book makes for a quick, easy, and fun read. Great literature, however, it's not.
Book Review: Not as good as the first three
Summary: 2 Stars
I was really disappointed in Babycakes. There were inconsistent changes in the characters' personalities, except for Michael. Also, the ending for Mary Ann and Brian was far too convenient. I wish I had stopped with the first 3 novels.