---
product_id: 3643365
title: "Michael Tolliver Lives: A Novel"
price: "₪33"
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reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.co.il/products/3643365-michael-tolliver-lives-a-novel
store_origin: IL
region: Israel
---

# Michael Tolliver Lives: A Novel

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desertcart.com: Michael Tolliver Lives: A Novel: 9780060761363: Maupin, Armistead: Books

Review: WONDERFUL EPILOGUE TO TALES... - When I first heard that Armistead Maupin was writing MICHAEL TOLLIVER LIVES, I wasn't sure I wanted to read it. Maupin would say time and again that MTL was not going to be a "Tales of the City" number 7, and I was not happy about that. Reading and enjoying all six TALES OF THE CITY books (1-3 being my favorites), I wanted more! Well I decided to give MTL a chance, and I'm glad I did. I LOVED it! Although it isn't a TOTC #7 book, there are enough appearances from familiar characters of "Tales..." that would keep even the most die hard fan satisfied. And these appearances are not random, gratuitous pop-ups; they push the story along and allow the reader to reconnect with the characters, particularly Michael Tolliver. The story begins in the current day--some 18 years after we last heard from the people of "Barbary Lane"--and gives us a sense of how much the world has changed, how much these characters have changed, and how much we have changed, ourselves. I'm not going to give out the plot, but in the last book (SURE OF YOU) Michael Tolliver he was preparing to die from AIDS. And since that didn't happen, he now has to face life like any other person getting older...finding a way to grow old gracefully. The MTL book ties up any loose ends that might have left readers hanging from TOTC book #6, SURE OF YOU. And it does so very nicely. Unlike the "Tales..." books, MTL revolves around the main character Michael Tolliver and is written in first person. Action follows a linear sequence, whereas "Tales..." had events happening simultaneously. I know I shouldn't be comparing, but it's hard not to. Aside from different layout/structure styles, Maupin's writing is still engaging and intimate and right on. MTL had me wrapped up in it, just as TOTC did when I first read it. There were moments that had me in tears. I don't think you have to read the other six TOTC books to enjoy MTL since there is enough backstory provided to make sense of certain events/characters. But I wonder if it changes the emotional impact? Maybe not, but I'll never know since I know these characters so well. And if you are a "Tales..." fan wondering if this book is worth reading, trust me it is. Despite Maupin saying this is not a sequel, it's enough of one to make us long for more.
Review: Welcome back, Mouse - Maupin's "Tales of the City" novels had an undeniable impact on my life. I was a closeted college sophomore when I checked the first three books out of the Springfield, MA library in the Fall of 1990. I had a feeling I was coming late to the "Tales" party at that point but was instantly taken with 28 Barbary lane and its inhabitants. I was so square at 19 that the thought of a pot smoking landlady made me vaguely uncomfortable; I don't miss those days or my old rigid self. At the age of 22, the landmark PBS miniseries had me spending my tax refund check on a ten day vacation to San Francisco so that I could check out the city Maupin immortalized on my own. Any misgivings about a pot smoking landlady were gone. So now, thirteen years after I read the last book in the series, I was over the moon to see "Michael Tolliver Lives." But after reading two negative critic reviews, I was worried. Could this book measure up to my memories? Yes, and then some. "Michael Tolliver Lives" is different than the previous novels in the "Tales" series; this is one man's, first person narrative, unlike the multi-character structure of the other "Tales" books. But "Michael Tolliver Lives" is as wonderful, moving and beautiful as anything Maupin's ever written (quick plug for "Maybe the Moon.") Here are the characters we know and love. Times have changed, but Mouse and Brian and Anna Madrigal, the pot smoking landlady (and some others, but that'd be ruining the surprise) are here and take no time making us love them again. As the title implies, this is Michael's (aka Mouse) tale. Mouse is as sharp as ever and his wry observations make you realize how much you've missed him. In this book, we learn more about his family: his mother, his brother, his sister in law, and see Michael come to an even deeper understanding of the role he's played in his family's life, and outside of it. This part of the book was one that stayed with me; some of Michael's thoughts are exactly where I have been at times, and that recognition really got to me. (Another nice moment of identification for me is when Michael cites the scene in "Poltergeist" when JoBeth Williams feels her daughter's soul move through her. I thought I was the only one who appreciates that scene.) The novel also reflects the crazy times we live in, as Maupin has always done from the hedonistic 70s to the Reagan 80s to now. It's nice to know that we're all in this together. It's been indescribably wonderful to catch up with our old friends (I've grown to love the pot smoking landlady immensely and wish I'd "known" her personally) and see how they've been surviving. In these post-9/11 years, we need our friends from Barbary Lane. And here they are.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,197,227 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #707 in Humorous American Literature #5,933 in Humorous Fiction #15,026 in Literary Fiction (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,093 Reviews |

## Images

![Michael Tolliver Lives: A Novel - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81JClG-+-2L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ WONDERFUL EPILOGUE TO TALES...
*by A***H on June 23, 2007*

When I first heard that Armistead Maupin was writing MICHAEL TOLLIVER LIVES, I wasn't sure I wanted to read it. Maupin would say time and again that MTL was not going to be a "Tales of the City" number 7, and I was not happy about that. Reading and enjoying all six TALES OF THE CITY books (1-3 being my favorites), I wanted more! Well I decided to give MTL a chance, and I'm glad I did. I LOVED it! Although it isn't a TOTC #7 book, there are enough appearances from familiar characters of "Tales..." that would keep even the most die hard fan satisfied. And these appearances are not random, gratuitous pop-ups; they push the story along and allow the reader to reconnect with the characters, particularly Michael Tolliver. The story begins in the current day--some 18 years after we last heard from the people of "Barbary Lane"--and gives us a sense of how much the world has changed, how much these characters have changed, and how much we have changed, ourselves. I'm not going to give out the plot, but in the last book (SURE OF YOU) Michael Tolliver he was preparing to die from AIDS. And since that didn't happen, he now has to face life like any other person getting older...finding a way to grow old gracefully. The MTL book ties up any loose ends that might have left readers hanging from TOTC book #6, SURE OF YOU. And it does so very nicely. Unlike the "Tales..." books, MTL revolves around the main character Michael Tolliver and is written in first person. Action follows a linear sequence, whereas "Tales..." had events happening simultaneously. I know I shouldn't be comparing, but it's hard not to. Aside from different layout/structure styles, Maupin's writing is still engaging and intimate and right on. MTL had me wrapped up in it, just as TOTC did when I first read it. There were moments that had me in tears. I don't think you have to read the other six TOTC books to enjoy MTL since there is enough backstory provided to make sense of certain events/characters. But I wonder if it changes the emotional impact? Maybe not, but I'll never know since I know these characters so well. And if you are a "Tales..." fan wondering if this book is worth reading, trust me it is. Despite Maupin saying this is not a sequel, it's enough of one to make us long for more.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Welcome back, Mouse
*by E***K on June 12, 2007*

Maupin's "Tales of the City" novels had an undeniable impact on my life. I was a closeted college sophomore when I checked the first three books out of the Springfield, MA library in the Fall of 1990. I had a feeling I was coming late to the "Tales" party at that point but was instantly taken with 28 Barbary lane and its inhabitants. I was so square at 19 that the thought of a pot smoking landlady made me vaguely uncomfortable; I don't miss those days or my old rigid self. At the age of 22, the landmark PBS miniseries had me spending my tax refund check on a ten day vacation to San Francisco so that I could check out the city Maupin immortalized on my own. Any misgivings about a pot smoking landlady were gone. So now, thirteen years after I read the last book in the series, I was over the moon to see "Michael Tolliver Lives." But after reading two negative critic reviews, I was worried. Could this book measure up to my memories? Yes, and then some. "Michael Tolliver Lives" is different than the previous novels in the "Tales" series; this is one man's, first person narrative, unlike the multi-character structure of the other "Tales" books. But "Michael Tolliver Lives" is as wonderful, moving and beautiful as anything Maupin's ever written (quick plug for "Maybe the Moon.") Here are the characters we know and love. Times have changed, but Mouse and Brian and Anna Madrigal, the pot smoking landlady (and some others, but that'd be ruining the surprise) are here and take no time making us love them again. As the title implies, this is Michael's (aka Mouse) tale. Mouse is as sharp as ever and his wry observations make you realize how much you've missed him. In this book, we learn more about his family: his mother, his brother, his sister in law, and see Michael come to an even deeper understanding of the role he's played in his family's life, and outside of it. This part of the book was one that stayed with me; some of Michael's thoughts are exactly where I have been at times, and that recognition really got to me. (Another nice moment of identification for me is when Michael cites the scene in "Poltergeist" when JoBeth Williams feels her daughter's soul move through her. I thought I was the only one who appreciates that scene.) The novel also reflects the crazy times we live in, as Maupin has always done from the hedonistic 70s to the Reagan 80s to now. It's nice to know that we're all in this together. It's been indescribably wonderful to catch up with our old friends (I've grown to love the pot smoking landlady immensely and wish I'd "known" her personally) and see how they've been surviving. In these post-9/11 years, we need our friends from Barbary Lane. And here they are.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Timeless--or perhaps timely--Tales of my City
*by S***S on May 26, 2010*

I won't go as far as to claim that Armisted Maupin's Tales of the City books are the reason I upended my life and moved to San Francisco eight years ago--but they were surely a factor. Maupin captures the spirit of San Francisco like no one else, and his books are truly dear to me. Several years ago, in a tremendous act of willpower, I tucked away Michael Tolliver Lives for a "rainy day." That day, of course, has come, and it's such a comfort to visit with these old friends. Like myself, they are older. Michael "Mouse" Tolliver is in his mid-fifties and Anna Madrigal is eighty-five! In the pages of the book we get updates on all of our beloved former Barbary Lane denizens, but as the title suggests, this is really Michael's show. Like his creator, he is now married (legally) to a much younger man, and is living with HIV--an eventuality he'd never considered years ago when AIDS was a death sentence. As for further details of the plot, they're essentially irrelevant. This book is all about character. And Maupin's insight into these people is just as deep--and as deeply affectionate as it ever was. Now, clearly I'm a hard-core fan, and reading this book gave me great joy at a time when I badly needed it. That said, this latest volume is not a favorite. Perhaps because Michael's life so closely mirror's Maupin's, I felt like parts of this book smacked of self-justification. Also, and this isn't exactly a complaint, but this book seemed a lot more gay than I remember the rest of the series being. Or rather, more graphically and explicitly gay. I don't really care, but readers who aren't fairly open-minded might not want to go there. I'm pretty open-minded, and I could have done with just a bit less detail. Small complaints aside, I was thrilled to reconnect with these dear friends and discover I loved them as much as I ever had. Maupin is a magical writer with boundless heart. I will read absolutely anything he writes. Happily, I won't have to wait quite so long for my next visit. Mary Ann in Autumn, a Tales of the City novel, will be published in November!

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*Last updated: 2026-01-24*