Mary Ann in Autumn

I had completely forgotten that Armistead Maupin was doing another Tales of the City book, so I was thrilled when we got an advanced reader copy at work. I was curious to see how another book would fit into the series. When Michael Tolliver Lives came out, Maupin was very adamant that it wasn't another book in the series. It was written in first person and told from Michael's perspective. I didn't love it. It wasn't fun, and it was really hard to see the characters interacting in the modern world. That book worked more as an epilogue to the series, and thinking of it that way made me appreciate it more.

In the new book, Mary Ann in Autumn, a pair of calamities has sent Mary Ann back to San Francisco. Like Michael Tolliver Lives, the book is set in modern day San Francisco. It was jarring to see the former denizens of Barbary Lane talking about their iPhones, tweeting, and Facebook. I know that one of the things that Maupin is known for is how he incorporates pop culture into his writing. I felt like the Tales books did a great job of making you feel like you were experiencing San Francisco in the 70s. It felt really forced in this book. I felt like I was being beat over the head with the fact that it was 2010. Facebook plays a significant part in the plot of the book, but was it really necessary for the reader to know that Mary Ann doesn't like Mafia Wars or Farmville?

One thing that Maupin does is use the mention of technology to show how the characters are uncomfortable with technology and feel out of place in today's world. I think he goes a little too far with it. The references become too distracting. As the book progresses, he manages to find the right balance but the start of the book might turn faithful Tales readers off before they get into the heart of the book. While he spends so much time talking about social media, he makes sure the reader know that he hates it.

Politics, as always, are addressed as well. Maupin addresses Prop 8, and takes a few swipes at the Obama administration. It would be impossible to write about San Francisco and not address Prop 8. I appreciated how he used the character of Jake Greenleaf (Michael's transgendered gardening assistant) to address it, and to make it personal. Jake is a welcome addition to the family. If Maupin decides to keep writing more Tales books I'm looking forward to seeing how he and Shanwa (Mary Ann and Brian's adopted daughter) grow.

Just about everyone that I talked to hates Mary Ann. Her character development in the later books of the series don't leave much room for anyone to feel empathy for her. Don't look for this book to redeem her. It would have been easy for Maupin to write a book where Mary Ann comes home and is welcomed with open arms, but he didn't. She falls back into to easy relationships with some of the characters, but not all.

I can't say what I loved most about the book without revealing a major spoiler. I'll just say that Maupin goes back to a storyline from the first book and does it REALLY well. Once the clues start clicking into place the book gets really really good.

I enjoyed Mary Ann in Autumn much more than Michael Tolliver Lives. I feel like there was more humor in this one. It was a more light hearted, and had hints of the books that I loved so much. I loved catching up with all of the characters that I adore, and if you look at these newer books as a way to grab a quick cup of coffee with old friends they're easier to enjoy.