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Tales of the City #7-9
Goodbye Barbary Lane
By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Armistead Maupin's bestselling Tales of the City novels—the final three of which are collected in this third 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.
“These final days of his San Francisco friends and lovers, gay and straight, are seriously moving…. Maupin deftly illustrates how far America and the pioneering Anna have come, and nearly forty years into the series, his writing remains wildly addictive but is deeper and richer.”—People
The last three novels of Armistead Maupin’s bestselling, critically-acclaimed Tales of the City are now available for the first time as an omnibus edition. The epic series, published between 1978 and 2014, spans the decade before the AIDS crisis through the era of marriage equality following an unforgettable set of characters, whose diverse sexual identities helped set the social stage for the ongoing sexual revolution.
Goodbye Barbary Lane—comprised of Michael Tolliver Lives (2007), Mary Ann in Autumn (2010), and The Days of Anna Madrigal (2014)—brings closure to the lives and legacies of the characters through which generations have found connection to America’s larger cultural struggles over the past four decades.
Joining two companion omnibus volumes, 28 Barbary Lane and Back to Barbary Lane, Goodbye Barbary Lane presents all of “Mr. Maupin’s adeptness at fluid dialogue, his flair for shaping characters who thread the needle between pop archetypes and singular human beings, and his great gift for intricate if occasionally preposterous plotting”(New York Times).
“These final days of his San Francisco friends and lovers, gay and straight, are seriously moving…. Maupin deftly illustrates how far America and the pioneering Anna have come, and nearly forty years into the series, his writing remains wildly addictive but is deeper and richer.”—People
The last three novels of Armistead Maupin’s bestselling, critically-acclaimed Tales of the City are now available for the first time as an omnibus edition. The epic series, published between 1978 and 2014, spans the decade before the AIDS crisis through the era of marriage equality following an unforgettable set of characters, whose diverse sexual identities helped set the social stage for the ongoing sexual revolution.
Goodbye Barbary Lane—comprised of Michael Tolliver Lives (2007), Mary Ann in Autumn (2010), and The Days of Anna Madrigal (2014)—brings closure to the lives and legacies of the characters through which generations have found connection to America’s larger cultural struggles over the past four decades.
Joining two companion omnibus volumes, 28 Barbary Lane and Back to Barbary Lane, Goodbye Barbary Lane presents all of “Mr. Maupin’s adeptness at fluid dialogue, his flair for shaping characters who thread the needle between pop archetypes and singular human beings, and his great gift for intricate if occasionally preposterous plotting”(New York Times).
827 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
116 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
About the author
Armistead Maupin
150 books1,965 followersArmistead Maupin was born in Washington, D.C., in 1944 but grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, he served as a naval officer in the Mediterranean and with the River Patrol Force in Vietnam.
Maupin worked as a reporter for a newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina, before being assigned to the San Francisco bureau of the Associated Press in 1971. In 1976 he launched his groundbreaking Tales of the City serial in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Maupin is the author of nine novels, including the six-volume Tales of the City series, Maybe the Moon, The Night Listener and, most recently, Michael Tolliver Lives. Three miniseries starring Olympia Dukakis and Laura Linney were made from the first three Tales novels. The Night Listener became a feature film starring Robin Williams and Toni Collette.
He is currently writing a musical version of Tales of the City with Jason Sellards (aka Jake Shears) and John Garden (aka JJ) of the disco and glam rock-inspired pop group Scissor Sisters. Tales will be directed by Jason Moore (Avenue Q and Shrek).
Maupin lives in San Francisco with his husband, Christopher Turner.
Maupin worked as a reporter for a newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina, before being assigned to the San Francisco bureau of the Associated Press in 1971. In 1976 he launched his groundbreaking Tales of the City serial in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Maupin is the author of nine novels, including the six-volume Tales of the City series, Maybe the Moon, The Night Listener and, most recently, Michael Tolliver Lives. Three miniseries starring Olympia Dukakis and Laura Linney were made from the first three Tales novels. The Night Listener became a feature film starring Robin Williams and Toni Collette.
He is currently writing a musical version of Tales of the City with Jason Sellards (aka Jake Shears) and John Garden (aka JJ) of the disco and glam rock-inspired pop group Scissor Sisters. Tales will be directed by Jason Moore (Avenue Q and Shrek).
Maupin lives in San Francisco with his husband, Christopher Turner.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 15, 2020
I'm sad to be saying good-bye to The Tales of the City. I loved these three books as I did all the others. Armistead Maupin truly evokes time and place for me. And I wanted to finish because I had seen the Netflix version, and found it to be very different. I liked the books much more. They don't tie everything up in pretty bows. We're left not knowing if beloved characters will survive much longer, or what will happen to the younger characters and their plans. On the other hand, the books portrayed the relationships in much less melodramatic ways that was also more satisfying.
June 1, 2019
I have just finished reading the entire Tales of the City series in order, and it was wonderful! I'd been meaning to read them all in order for a while, but the release date of June 7 for the new TV series gave me a deadline, which was I needed to make it a priority. And what a treat to read them again: Each volume is great on its own, and the series is just brilliant to read all the way through. Considering the long gap between the original 6 books and these last three in the series, I was not sure how well it would all hold up, but I should have had more faith in the author! (Thank you, beloved Mr. Maupin!)
It was so bittersweet to read the final book, knowing it was the end. But having already been through that experience, it was a pleasure to read it again. And maybe it's easier to accept the end of the book series, knowing that the TV writers have the author's blessing to carry the story forward. In any case, the books are a string of pearls, and a highly recommended read.
It was so bittersweet to read the final book, knowing it was the end. But having already been through that experience, it was a pleasure to read it again. And maybe it's easier to accept the end of the book series, knowing that the TV writers have the author's blessing to carry the story forward. In any case, the books are a string of pearls, and a highly recommended read.
August 13, 2019
Goodbye Barbary Lane, Book 7-9 of series Tales of the City my Armistead Maupin, was my first reading of this author. I was gripped by the story immediately but it took me ages to finish as I “hit a reading wall”. Took me a few months but I finished it recently and would love to read others in this series. The story is set in San Fransisco and it covers the lives of Michael and Ben who are husband and husband and their circle of friends and family. This was a very new scenario for me but I enjoyed the story and the characters so much.
April 9, 2018
I will miss these characters--they've become friends as I've journeyed through Maupin's Tales.... A melancholy yet realistic conclusion for this series.
September 20, 2019
I started my latest re-read of the Tales of the City series after watching this year's Netflix miniseries of the same title. As much as I like the Netflix adaptation, I was pretty confused by some of the goings-on. I recognized the characters, to be sure, but not necessarily the circumstances. I was never sure at any point how the adaptation's plot aligned with the books. Did Brian and Mary Ann's adopted child, Shawna, really not know about Connie Bradshaw, her biological mother? Was Mary Ann truly as irritating in the books as she was on screen? I thought Jake had been single? Was Mrs. Madrigal still living on Barbary Lane?
Though the miniseries was fun, I wish the writers had taken more cues from Maupin's actual novels for their scripts. The books contain none of the eye-rolling baby drama surrounding Shawna; Michael has been standing on his own two feet for a number of years, thank you very much; Mary Ann is neither immature nor humorless; DeDe Halcyon has a life that doesn't involve rattling around her mansion, lonely and useless.
I don't mind the shift to first person Maupin undertakes in Michael Tolliver Lives—it's a narrative adjustment from Tales' usual Dickensian feat of juggling multiple protagonists and storylines in easy-to-digest chunks, and it allows for a deeper understanding of the character who acts as the series' beating heart. This re-read of Mary Ann in Autumn amused me more than my previous, with Maupin's tongue-in-cheek return to the overwrought Grand Guignol theatrics of Tales' first trilogy. And The Days of Anna Madrigal is as sweet and melancholy and fitting a conclusion to the series as I remembered.
So yes—the miniseries is its own beast, a reimagining or alternate-timeline version of a Barbary Lane Maupin never penned, that while affecting, maroons the original three inhabitants of Mrs. Madrigal's boarding house as irrelevant old folk . . . yet never quite adults. The original final three books of Maupin's series, on the other hand, are moving fables both about the perils of aging, and the triumphs of growing up. As such, they're a fitting dramatic crown to what began as a mildly silly romp.
Though the miniseries was fun, I wish the writers had taken more cues from Maupin's actual novels for their scripts. The books contain none of the eye-rolling baby drama surrounding Shawna; Michael has been standing on his own two feet for a number of years, thank you very much; Mary Ann is neither immature nor humorless; DeDe Halcyon has a life that doesn't involve rattling around her mansion, lonely and useless.
I don't mind the shift to first person Maupin undertakes in Michael Tolliver Lives—it's a narrative adjustment from Tales' usual Dickensian feat of juggling multiple protagonists and storylines in easy-to-digest chunks, and it allows for a deeper understanding of the character who acts as the series' beating heart. This re-read of Mary Ann in Autumn amused me more than my previous, with Maupin's tongue-in-cheek return to the overwrought Grand Guignol theatrics of Tales' first trilogy. And The Days of Anna Madrigal is as sweet and melancholy and fitting a conclusion to the series as I remembered.
So yes—the miniseries is its own beast, a reimagining or alternate-timeline version of a Barbary Lane Maupin never penned, that while affecting, maroons the original three inhabitants of Mrs. Madrigal's boarding house as irrelevant old folk . . . yet never quite adults. The original final three books of Maupin's series, on the other hand, are moving fables both about the perils of aging, and the triumphs of growing up. As such, they're a fitting dramatic crown to what began as a mildly silly romp.
January 29, 2018
Now we get into REALLY bittersweet territory. Written 20 years after the first six books, Barbary Lane has been bought and refurbished by a wealthy tech couple. An aged Michael “Mouse” Toliver has survived being HIV+ and is maintaining well with his medication protocol and has also found a much younger life partner who is ideal for him, though Mouse struggles occasionally with the open relationship aspect. Shawna, Brian’s now adult daughter with the ersatz Mary Ann, is funny and endearing and writing a famous blog. A character who is trans is introduced, an essential inclusion for the new era of LGBTQ+ awareness. Mrs. Madrigal survives a stroke. Mary Ann returns. Brian finds an old flame who becomes a life partner and everyone goes to Burning Man. I absolutely love reading Maupin’s take on the late aughts after he so accurately and lovingly depicted the 70s and 80s. A vague ending leaves lots of room for interpretation. I highly recommend “binge reading” all nine of these books and you can catch the funny TV series on YouTube with Olympia Dukakis, Laura Linney, and Bruce from Kids In The Hall as the closeted TV priest. (Scott also makes an appearance as one of the “A-Gays”). Apparently Netflix is creating a series for these “20 years later” stories with some of the same actors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2020
Wonderful
A wonderful ending to a fantastic series! I want more!!! The most interesting aspect of this omnibus to me is that the books in it were all written much later, bringing the stories into modern day. Having first been exposed to the Tales of the City world via the recent Netflix reboot, I appreciated that though they were portrayed differently, there were nods to a few newer characters from it. A wonderful continuation of the characters that Maupin has done an excellent job of building in this world, and such a joy to see the paths that their lives lead them down. Also, I would absolutely recommend this series to anyone with a love for San Francisco, as I feel that in addition to Maupin giving the reader a great cast of characters to know and grow with throughout, he also does a fantastic job of capturing the essence and feel of the city, painting a rich and vivid picture of it that transports you there.
A wonderful ending to a fantastic series! I want more!!! The most interesting aspect of this omnibus to me is that the books in it were all written much later, bringing the stories into modern day. Having first been exposed to the Tales of the City world via the recent Netflix reboot, I appreciated that though they were portrayed differently, there were nods to a few newer characters from it. A wonderful continuation of the characters that Maupin has done an excellent job of building in this world, and such a joy to see the paths that their lives lead them down. Also, I would absolutely recommend this series to anyone with a love for San Francisco, as I feel that in addition to Maupin giving the reader a great cast of characters to know and grow with throughout, he also does a fantastic job of capturing the essence and feel of the city, painting a rich and vivid picture of it that transports you there.
December 8, 2019
Wonderful way to end
I have spent the last five months reading all nine books and tears are running down my face. The last three books were the perfect way to wrap up the lives of our friends. The story of Michael (book 7) was the most rewarding but I believe it was the way it was told; first person. The story of Mary Ann was good though a little dry. Finally, Anna! Bring able to read about her early days in Winnemucca and how she ended up in SF was rewarding. Now I can watch the Netflix series without any spoilers.
I have spent the last five months reading all nine books and tears are running down my face. The last three books were the perfect way to wrap up the lives of our friends. The story of Michael (book 7) was the most rewarding but I believe it was the way it was told; first person. The story of Mary Ann was good though a little dry. Finally, Anna! Bring able to read about her early days in Winnemucca and how she ended up in SF was rewarding. Now I can watch the Netflix series without any spoilers.
September 7, 2020
This omnibus edition contains the last three books of Maupin's series and as such rounds out and resolves many of the unknowns in the lives of Anna Madrigal and those whose lives crossed at 28 Barbary Lane. Learn more of Anna's backstory. Follow Michael and his husband Ben. Brian, Shawna, and Mary Ann move forward in their lives in different ways that allow their relationships to change and heal. And much more...
February 24, 2020
Finally finished THE DAYS OF ANNA MADRIGAL and even though I hot a little alarmed toward the end, the ending itself was absolutely perfect and beautiful. Gonna miss spending time with this Logical Family.
September 11, 2021
The last book, The Days of Anna Madrigal, absolutely took my breath away. Really glad I spent the time to read this series continuously. Smart, sharp, tender and funny with a clear eye and warm heart. Thank you Armistead Maupin!
November 19, 2021
Hate for it to end
Tales of the City. Plain good storytelling. Loved every book in the 9 book series. Likeable and interesting characters. Unique experiences. One can only dream to be part of this family.
Tales of the City. Plain good storytelling. Loved every book in the 9 book series. Likeable and interesting characters. Unique experiences. One can only dream to be part of this family.
January 12, 2022
Fun and More Fun
The characters are real and their stories interesting and captivating. I always like characters where I can like them one minute then dislike them in the Sam minute. Truly a gift the author has to develop real multi dimensional characters.
The characters are real and their stories interesting and captivating. I always like characters where I can like them one minute then dislike them in the Sam minute. Truly a gift the author has to develop real multi dimensional characters.
October 21, 2022
I started this series after watching the Netflix show based on these books. I liked the plot of the show and was hoping that the books would have more to offer. I was hooked on the first book of this series right off the bat. The author does an amazing job of creating characters you can't help but fall in love with, and every chapter leaves you asking, "What's going to happen to them next?" The characters all become a chosen family and this series follows them through relationships, careers, moves, illnesses, and everything in between. While not all of the characters are LGBTQ+, the author does make sure that there is plenty of historical context in that department.
June 23, 2024
I am beyond words… It was everything and then some. Just like the first six books, these last three were more than I ever could have wished for. Like Harry Potter (though there’s little and every correlation to one another, I could just keep rereading 📖 this series over and over again for the rest of my life and never have to crack another book… 📕📖📚‼️
February 28, 2021
It was my first time reading the books presented in these volumes. They were still great fun to read and revisit these characters. I was sad to have it end.
March 22, 2022
This was a much better read than I expected. I recognized so many of the events and coul relate to characters as this is my generation.
January 7, 2023
I love entering the world that Armisted Maupin created at Barbary Lane. It’s my favourite place to be.
March 31, 2024
Rereading the entire series saved my sanity during covid
May 14, 2024
what a champion writer is Armistead Maupin. At no time over the nine volumes was there a false note. Thankfully the printing and publication were worthy of the writing.
October 30, 2025
A nice visit with old friends.
September 19, 2023
my absolute favourite novel, in love with all tales of the city books and the barbary lane series. so sad it's over
September 1, 2019
Always a fan
As an early fan of Maupin’s Tales of the City, I was pleasantly surprised to find that somehow I had missed the last 3 chapters. So wonderful to visit, years later, with these beautiful characters, Mouse, Mary Ann, and the undeniable Anna Madrigal.
As an early fan of Maupin’s Tales of the City, I was pleasantly surprised to find that somehow I had missed the last 3 chapters. So wonderful to visit, years later, with these beautiful characters, Mouse, Mary Ann, and the undeniable Anna Madrigal.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews