Mary Ann in Autumn

A Tales of the City Novel

By: Armistead Maupin

Narrated by: Armistead Maupin

Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Inspiration for the Netflix Limited Series, Tales of the City

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

Following the success of his New York Times best seller Michael Tolliver Lives, Armistead Maupin’s Mary Ann in Autumn is a touching portrait of friendship, family, and fresh starts, as the City by the Bay welcomes back Mary Ann Singleton, the beloved Tales of the City heroine who started it all.

A new chapter begins in the lives of both Mary Ann and Michael “Mouse” Tolliver when she returns to San Francisco to rejoin her oldest friend after years in New York City...the reunion that fans of Maupin’s beloved Tales of the City series have been awaiting for years.

©2010 Armistead Maupin (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

He Has Done It Again!

This was a great read! Once again, Armistead Maupin has taken us back to the familiar city and characters we have loved for years. Given the way he goes back to previous stories, it was like a love letter to those of us who have read and re-read the previous works in the series. The story, however, does not require one to have read the previous books. Armistead Maupin is one of those rare authors who is capable of reading his own work! Great job all around! I would highly recommend this book to others!

So good to hear from dear old friends

These characters are like dear old friends.. It's always great to hear how they're doing and what they've been up to... Thank you Mr. Maupin for getting us caught up... Always good to hear from my dear, old friends from Barbary Lane...

Good story but lost me a little

Typically, this books explores the intertwined lives of these characters from Barbary Lane. They are growing older, experiencing pain and regret and finding a new stride. I enjoyed the new characters as well...until they introduced Jonah Flake. Nothing is particular wrong with Jonah; he is as flawed as the other humans. But he is poorly researched. The author has lost some credibility with me now, and that is disappointing. Jonah’s life as a Mormon Missionary should have been researched, and from reliable sources. The details are all wrong here - maybe for the sake of the role the author wanted to fit him into? I can’t be sure. I just know that when the details are so wrong (such as how missionaries wear name tags, are not allowed to be alone, and have a consistent “uniform” of dress, etc.), the believability takes a big hit.

What was most disappointing was Jake’s ridicule of Jonah. Someone from a background of ridicule and humiliation, who craves acceptance, should know the pain inflicted when you treat someone that way. No one deserves to be belittled, just because you don’t share their beliefs. Or lifestyle. It’s never okay, Jake....

A great 'Tales of the City' novel!

Reconnecting with all the characters from Tales of the City is like comfort food. There all here: Mary Ann, Mouse, Miss Madrigal...the book, like its predecessors, has a great plot (revisiting some unfinished business from the first tome), funny and tender moments... It's a must for fans of the series! Read by M. Maupin himself, that's great!

Well written and well read

If you could sum up Mary Ann in Autumn in three words, what would they be?

Entertaining, provocative, satisfying

What other book might you compare Mary Ann in Autumn to and why?

The rest in the series.

What about Armistead Maupin’s performance did you like?

Excellent reader; easy to listen to with wonderful character development

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

A must see if you've lived through the 70's & 80's.

Any additional comments?

Once I listened to "Tales of the CIty" I couldn't stop wanting to know more about the characters of Barberry Lane. I wish, however, that I had realized that this is the last in the series as it would be better to read or listen to them in sequence. So now I'm listening to them out of order but because of the narrater I don't mind.

Just okay.

Characters were interesting and written with empathy. I learned a lot about transsexuals. This book was not great, not terrible.

A return to form

Your old friends as well as some new ones from Barbary Lane are here. It's a wonderful trip very reminiscent of the original "Tales of the City".

Great read

I’ve never read this book before and will love to see what is used I. The new series starting Friday on Netflix

My one true love of the City

I first discovered Tale of the City, whilst enjoying the Chronicle Newspaper back in the late 1970's where I was one of the many transplanted gay men, who were moving to the City in groves. Hell, I loved Armistead's writing immediately & have been a follower of both his earlier books (had quite a collection when they finally made the column into book-form) & his now newer books. I, like many if my dear departed comrades, will always love these Adventures of the denizens of Barbary Lane & beyond. This novel about Mary Ann (Singleton) made me laugh, cry & miss all of the great times I had in the City, & are sure to make you wish you could've been there too.

so many trist and turns from old past books in the series.

like going down memory lane. I was happy to find this was as good as the older stories.