Back to Barbary Lane: The Final Tales of the City Omnibus

By Armistead Maupin

Book Overview

By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Armistead Maupin's bestselling Tales of the City novels--the fourth, fifth and sixth of which are collected in this second omnibus volume--stand as an incomparable blend of great storytelling and incisive social commentary on American culture from the seventies through the first two decades of the new millennium. "Tearing through the tales] one after the other, as I did, allows instant gratification; it also lets you appreciate how masterfully they're constructed. No matter what Maupin writes next, he can look back on the rare achievement of having built a little world and made it run."--Walter Kendrick, Village Voice Literary Supplement Armistead Maupin's uproarious and moving Tales of the City novels have earned a unique niche in American literature and are considered indelible documents of cultural change from the seventies through the first two decades of the new millennium. The nine classic comedies, some of which originally appeared as serials in San Francisco newspapers, have won Maupin critical acclaim around the world and enthralled legions of devoted fans. Back to Barbary Lane comprises the second omnibus of the series-- Babycakes (1984), Significant Others (1987), and Sure of You (1989)--continuing the saga of the tenants, past and present, of Mrs. Madrigal's beloved apartment house on Russian Hill. While the first trilogy celebrated the carefree excesses of the seventies, this volume tracks its hapless, all-too-human cast across the eighties--a decade troubled by plague, deceit, and overweening ambition. Like its companion volumes, 28 Barbary Lane and Goodbye, Barbary Lane, Back to Barbary Lane is distinguished by what The Guardian of London has called "some of the sharpest and most speakable dialogue you are ever likely to read."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060166495
• ISBN13: 9780060166496
• Release Date: November 1991
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 720 Pages
• Weight: 2.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.2" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

some enchanted reading

You cannot go wrong with this collection of stories. As some reviewers have noted, this collection contains more heartbreak and distress than the first three books, but in some ways that makes these three novels all the more moving. The carefree highjinx that the characters enjoyed in their youth have given way to the responsibilities, choices, and losses of adulthood. You will be moved by the ways Maupin has his characters navigate this difficult terrain, and as with the first three books you will laugh when the characters laugh and cry when they cry, and wish that there were six more books in this purely enchanting series.

My New Best Friends

These books, these masterpieces of words, feelings, and emotions. . .Do you enjoy getting angry, laughing, and feeling enobled all at the same time? Read these novels. After V.1 (Tales), you begin to know the characters-maybe even like them (Especially Mouse). By V.2 (More) these people become part of you-you begin to envision being part of the converstation-the proverbial fly on the wall. By the last, I wanted to take Michael in a basket and bring him home with me. Please read these novels, you gain a new understanding of the indulgent 70s and the 80s-the decade we paid for all that indulgence. Thank you Mr. Maupin!

Excellent Set of books - required reading for all

Once I read the first book I knew that I would have to read the whole set as soon as possible - they are my favourite books of all time - the writing, characters are so real - you feel that you are living there with them in Barbary Lane. The books have the ability to take you through the whole spectrum of human emotions and you actually care about the characters and what happens to them and how they will end up. It doesn't matter if you are gay or straight these books would appeal to all. The effect on me of these books were profound - they set me on a journey of self discovery and a love of reading - they will do that for any of their future readers.

These are possibly some of the best books I have ever read!

These are possibly the best books I have ever read!!!!!He writes so easily and his characters are so lovable. These books- I wanted to go on forever. I do hope he writes more in the series. I want more of Micheal, Mrs. Madrigal, Mona, Mary Ann, Brian, Prue, Dee Dee, et al. And I want them all made into a mini series as soon as possible. These books are a must for gays and straights alike!!!!!!You will not be disappointed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!