A few years ago, I was sad to read Days of Anna Madrigal which took the wonderful Tales of the City characters to the present day at Burning Man. I thought I was reading the end of a series that I have loved since the 80's when Tales of the City was published from Maupin's SF Chronicle days. But I was so happy to discover that he now has a tenth novel which goes back 20 years to follow Mona's life as a lady of the manor in the Cotswalds.
Mona, the now Lady Roughton, was formerly one of the originals who lived in San Francisco at 28 Barbary Lane. She is a lesbian who made a deal with the late and very gay Teddy, Lord Roughton, to take over his estate while he lives the life in San Francisco. She is now left with a slightly shabby manor house which she and her adopted out and proud son Winfred have converted into a B&B for paying guests to experience a posh vacation.
The story begins when we meet the Blaylocks, Rhonda and Ernie, from North Carolina, Rhonda is hoping to recapture the love and romance she and her husband used to have, but we soon find out that Ernie is mentally and physically abusive. Mona cooks up a scheme to imply that Rhonda has fled, but she is still hiding at the estate. Ernie is supposed to be looking in London for her, but we actually don't know where he went. Mrs. Blaylock has her Christian conservative ideals tested one by one and she learns some lessons that challenge her beliefs. Meanwhile, Mona gets some American visitors, her best friend Michael and her trans mother, Anna who also have some unfinished business. Will Rhonda be able to accept this chosen or "logical" family made from only simpatico people?
Maupin has written a big eclair of a novel filled with joy and inclusion. In it, though, are very serious subjects, especially the AIDS crisis, which at that time was decimating the world's gay population. I hope that he might rethink this "last installment" plan of his and continue telling us of the adventures of the Barbary Lane crew that we all have grown to know and love.
Reviewed by Donna Ballard
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