Reviews

Chroniques de San Francisco, Tome 1 by Armistead Maupin

how_long_haveibeenreading's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Fast-paced, addictive, funny and quippy, full of wonderful turns and twists

pupgir's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

rpletsch's review against another edition

5.0

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.

mfg1994's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mariannika's review against another edition

5.0

I’m reading the 28 Barbary Lane anthology but I just finished the first book, Tales of the City.

So, I have a huge pile of library books that I want to read, but I saw the trailer for the new Netflix adaptation recently, cried, and immediately downloaded these books (even though we definitely have all of the paperbacks and probably most of the hardbacks but my ereader makes for easier bedtime and bus reading.)

I’ve read them over and over, but not in a really long time (possibly not since we left San Francisco...) and I’m 100% ready to revisit my Barbary Lane pals.

I will never forget reading the first six books for the first time as a teen (the GIANT hardbacks with three books each) and how I just couldn’t get enough.

I did a mix of listening to the audiobook, narrated by Frances McDormand, and reading the ebook and listening to this story was an absolute delight.

Anyway, the TLDR is that I finishing the first book was a crazy delightful nostalgia read and I look forward to revisiting the rest of the series soon.

chonnie_'s review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rdebner's review against another edition

5.0

I love, love, love the Tales of the City books. I've reread them all three or four times.

maeljin's review against another edition

5.0

ive read these books over and over. such a great story a love affair with san francisco and adventures with such a eclectic group of friends .

sasscasspdx's review against another edition

5.0

The reason I moved to San Francisco. Too bad reality didn't live up to fiction. Still amongst my all time favorite books. I could pick these up any day and read them cover to cover no matter how many times I've already read them.

uberbutter's review against another edition

4.0

This is a hard one to rate since it contains the first three books of the Tales of the City series. I found the first book fairly slow but that picked up in the second and third book. I ended up falling in love with the characters and loved reading their progressions through the books (and years). The issues of the times really show within. I really got caught up in the stories and the 880 pages seemed to pass quickly. I found some of the scenarios and coincidences a bit much at times but it did make things entertaining. Overall, a good read. I look forward to reading the other 6 books and to see how all the characters change.