Michael Tolliver Lives

By: Armistead Maupin

Narrated by: Armistead Maupin

Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Inspiration for the Netflix Limited Series, Tales of the City

The seventh novel in the beloved Tales of the City series, Armistead Maupin's best-selling San Francisco saga.

Nearly two decades after ending his groundbreaking Tales of the City saga of San Francisco life, Armistead Maupin revisits his all-too-human hero Michael Tolliver - the 55-year-old sweet-spirited gardener and survivor of the plague that took so many of his friends and lovers - for a single day at once mundane and extraordinary...and filled with the everyday miracles of living.

©2007 Armistead Maupin (P)2002 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Maupin denies that this is a seventh volume of his beloved Tales of the City, but - happily - that's exactly what it is, with style and invention galore." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Sweet without being sappy." ( Booklist)

Great read

This is a fabulous read and from the main character Michael Tolliver’s point of view. Looking forward to the next two books and next weeks airing of Tales of The City on Netflix

I SO wanted to love this.

Having read all of the Tales of the City books 3 or 4 times each, I couldn't wait to tear into the further adventures of Mouse. I fully expected to love the book. Maybe my expectations were too high.

While Michael Tolliver Lives was funny and entertaining, it just didn't have the sweetness and charm of the original 6 books. I know Maupin says that it's not a sequel (though clearly it is), and shouldn't be compared to the other books, but obviously that's what everyone is going to do. And this one left me a bit unsatisfied.

This book seemed more a justification of Maupin's life than a novel. Frankly, I don't care how old Maupin's boyfriend is. I'm thrilled that he's happy, but I don't care to be preached to about the joys and trials of a May/December romance.

You'd be better off going back and reading the original Tales books. Now THERE lies magic.

terrific listen

I was so happy to read more about the characters I came to love in the "Tales of the City" series of books years ago. As the characters and I are in the same age range I also appreciated Maupin's keen observations of the vicissitudes of aging. A lovely experience to hear him reading the book, as well.

I didn't want it to end.

I love these books and characters. He has made me fall in love with The City.

A good listen........

I really enjoyed this. Having been a fan of the earlier Tales City books, this was like having old friends coming home. Its not great art or literature,but it was extremely enjoyable. I particularly liked the theme in the book about how one has a biological family, and a logical family of ones choosing .......press express checkout and find out what is happening to those characters you know and love.

Like spending time with an old friend!

I loved the Tales of the City series, and it was great fun catching up with Michael, Mrs. Madrigal, et al.

more about the family!

If you could sum up Michael Tolliver Lives in three words, what would they be?

warm human friend

What was one of the most memorable moments of Michael Tolliver Lives?

which mother will he be with in her extremity?

What does Armistead Maupin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

the interview with Mr Maupin was interesting. I always loved reading the books, too.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

don't know what a tag line is

Any additional comments?

I spent a lot of comfortable evenings with this audiobook

wonderful

wonderful story. love the characters. a treat to listen to again and again. great entertainment.

disappointing

I was dismayed when I saw that there was no other version than Maupin's narration. I am always wary when an author reads their own book and this narration did nothing to change my mind.

Unlike the previous books, this instalment in the Tales of the City series is told from the first person POV of Michael Tolliver. While previous narrators have done a good job at capturing the difference facets of Michael, Maupin imbues the character with a lethargy and dullness that does no favour to the character or the story. Unlike previous narrators, all skilled actors, Maupin makes no attempt to differentiate between different personalities. Everyone sounds the same and it makes listening to the book quite dull at times.

The story itself suffers from being stuck in Michael's POV. Of course, this makes it feel not like a Tales of the City book at all. Rather, it feels like Maupin started out writing a book that was semi-autobiographical then decided "oh hey", I can make this a Tales of the City novel." Michael's story alone is too thin for a whole novel. As a story thread in a normal TotC novel, it would have worked fine, but not alone. Maupin goes to great lengths to show the intimacy between Michael and his partner Ben, but I got tired of reading/listening about their adoration for each other, particularly as Maupin TELLS us rather than SHOWS. I GET IT, Maupin, they're in love and a great couple, now let's move the story along, hey?

I would have much preferred the traditional TotC ensemble cast with various POVs. I wanted to know more about Shawna, Ben, Jake, and Brian. Instead I was stuck with Michael, who has definitely become a character with diminishing returns.

It's missing something

Sadly, this book is devoid of the charm that made Tales of the City so engaging and endearing. As a result, I didn't really care about Michael any more, which makes me sad.