42 Comments

This was wonderful to read. It was also wonderful to have the TOTC series when it came out as many of us also came out. Loved the books and the weekly show (which I finally saw years later when a friend gave me tapes of it.) Thank you, Armistead Maupin, for this gift. Thank you, Nan Tepper, for the lovely article!

Expand full comment

Thanks, Louise, for taking the time to read it and comment! The books are so refreshing and fun. I'm thinking about revisiting a couple of them. I wonder whether they've aged welI...think I have!

Expand full comment

I’d never heard of this series! And hearing about the bond (and haven) Nan and her father shared through these stories makes me want to run to the library right now. Thank you for this lovely piece.

Expand full comment

Oh, I hope you read at least the first couple of them...you might get hooked! It was a pleasure to write this, I'm glad you enjoyed!

Expand full comment

Both articles fantastic! Maupin gave me a queer playbook for how I want to live the sunset of my life through his work and his character, Anna Madrigal.

Expand full comment

I felt the same with Anna, a Buddha living among us. 💮

Expand full comment

Spoiler:

I loved Olympia Dukakis’ portrayal, but know if there will be a repeat, there will have to be representation.

Expand full comment

EXACTLY. She did a great job, it was made when there was less accountability and respect for trans people in general. Maupin did an amazing thing when he wrote her character. There is a reboot. I haven't seen it, so I don't know who played her character.

Expand full comment

I mean, how does Hollywood right casting wrongs? We’ve seen the industry make attempts with regard to race. Black and Asisn actors are now getting better (still not tge best) representation.

Vanity Fair makes a valid point with trans actress Jenn Richards playing the role of a young Anna Madrigal.

I've seen it. It scurries away from the book, but sorta needs to. Tales of the City on PBS is a differrntbsorcies although same genus. But they needed Richards.

Richards worked with Laura Linney to get all of Olympia’s dimensions so Richards coujd asdumectge role of younger Anna. The actors holed up in a hotel room. Richards had to lower her voice to map to the late cis-gender Dukakis!

Overall, her performance is warming and it solidifies who Anna later evolves into as a character. “That’s the Anna I know!” is what you'll come away with so talk about a tough act to follow.

——————

SOURCE:

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/06/tales-of-the-city-netflix-anna-madrigal-olympia-dukakis-jen-richards

Expand full comment

Lovely, Nan. What a lovely read. Thank you for sharing what these books mean to you and the connection with your father.

"But the thing I value the most is that because of the queerness we had in common, he offered me a haven so I could be myself. I provided that for him as well." -- beautiful.

I think you've captured here exactly what Troy wants to capture with this series on Books We Love.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Nathan. Your comment is so lovely. I'm glad you enjoyed it. xo

Expand full comment

I quite agree, it’s the heart of the whole project. Thanks Nathan!

Expand full comment

Wow! I never knew that began as a newspaper serial.

Expand full comment

I didn't either until I started researching for this story. I love that. Just like Dickens, right? xo

Expand full comment

Amazing. I love a story unfolding in that way.

Expand full comment

It is fun! It's so different now that we can consume everything, everywhere, all at once. Bingeing has it's place, but yearning has a lot of power and appeal.

Expand full comment

What a beautiful reflection on your relationship with your father and these books, Nan! As someone who would have given anything as a child to have a father who shared my love of books and classical music, I was delighted to read of the close connection you two had. 💙

I’ve been meaning to read the first volume for almost two decades, but it’s never made it to the top of the TBR pile. That will soon change! After a fall of heavy research, I’m craving a light, meaningful read and I know TotC will fit the bill.

Expand full comment

Hi Michael! I was very lucky to have him as my dad, and mind you, it was not all fun and great. Our relationship was complex. He's gone since 2011, and I miss him a lot, and I've spent a lot of time learning about things in our relationship that were troublesome. Working on a memoir about us currently. I hope you have fun with the TOTC books. They are a good balm, and a wonderful departure from the world of "serious." Let me know what you think? xo

Expand full comment

I really enjoyed reading about this series of books I hadn't even heard of. Its existence somehow makes the world seem bigger, more complete.

Expand full comment

What a lovely comment. If you read them, I'd love to hear your impressions. They're sweet and fun. Thanks for reading my essay!

Expand full comment

I'm delighted to find that this is new to you, it's always fun to discover new faves, the whole point of this little book club. :)

Expand full comment

Excellent intro, Troy. Nan - the relationship you describe with your dad sounds like a thing of dreams. What a beautiful friendship you two had over the course of your lives. 🥹

I just stumbled on the newer Netflix series this past summer and loved it. I meant to go back and read the original, and this is a great reminder. Thank you for sharing these memories!

Expand full comment

My dad and I had a wonderful time together around all kinds of things. And, I was very lucky to have him. There were elements that were terrific and parts that were more challenging. I loved him so much and miss him. But there's more to that story than just a dreamlike relationship. Life is complicated, for sure. I'm in the process of writing a memoir about him. Thanks for reading, Lindsey! I hope you enjoy your visit back in time to Anna Madrigal's house. xo

Expand full comment

Ooof -- same same re: my relationship w/ my dad. We are all just complicated humans navigating life, huh? Very excited to read this memoir.

Expand full comment

Wow, thanks! It's probably going to be a memoir in essays. That's what it looks like right now. I'll be delighted for people to read it if it ever gets published...and if it doesn't get "real" published, I'll publish it here.

Expand full comment

Thanks Lindsey! Do try to see the original mini-series too, it's wonderful.

Expand full comment

As I was reading this piece — both parts Troy’s intro and Nans review — I was thinking, “how have I never heard of this book?” However it did slip past my radar, I’m glad you two have enlightened me to it, and I look forward to reading it. :)

Expand full comment

Oh! That's wonderful. It makes me happy to know that you discovered it here. The books are filled with lovely friends I've held in my heart for years. I hope you enjoy them!

Expand full comment

I think initially it was a very San Francisco thing as it was being serialized in the newspaper, but gained a wider audience in the 90s with three miniseries, and then the more recent one on Netflix. I have to admit I have only read the first book (!) I've got some catching up to do. :) Thanks Michael!

Expand full comment

What???? Only the first one? That's terrific. More to come! It's sweet and endearing. I hope you enjoy them when you can. xo

Expand full comment

I loved the books. But the most important part for me was the book love my dad and I shared. He consistently asked for book recs until the end of his life, and I did the same. It was wonderful to have a book buddy. We did the same with TV shows, films, and theater. He was a culture lover. xo

Expand full comment

A relationship to be cherished for sure. 💜

Expand full comment

Loved this retrospective on the shared reading and on Tales of the City. It’s always odd to me that I never found Maupin until I ran into the TV adaptation (years and) years after it was made.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Amy! I liked the series. I probably should revisit. I'm very resistant to watching media made from favorite books. I like to hold the visual images I've created already, and when I see a movie or tv show, the actor's image tries to replace my own creations. I don't like that very much! I think Olympia Dukakis (may she rest in peace, diva...I waited on her too, at Union Square Cafe ((great story)) was a great choice, but she didn't look anything like my Anna Madrigal. My only exception to that rule was Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. I'm good with that one!

Expand full comment

Totally hear you on this. I honestly stumbled over the series…. I didn’t know anything at all about it. So strange. That really was the best restaurant you worked at! (I do this about appearance, yes, but also about voices…. I get an idea for how people “sound” that is often really at odds with real people or TV/film adaptations.)

Expand full comment

Yup. About voices, too. And yes, I worked in two great restaurants and waited on a bunch of celebs. My favorite one by far was Walter Matthau. I’ll tell that story one of these days. And Olympia Dukakis was fabulous too.

Expand full comment

It was so good, I'm sorta glad I also met Maupin through the original mini-series. Thanks Amy!

Expand full comment

This Nan fan stopped by to enjoy her take on Maupin (new to me), had a look around (more newness) and will be back.

Expand full comment

Nan Fan! Swoon.

Expand full comment

Glad to have you, Rona :)

Expand full comment

That’s really a nice “review,” or rather a memory I guess. The books we love define us in time, don’t they? They help us understand who we were and are.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Tom. My love of books was enthusiastically supported by both of my parents. My memories are fueled by the love I equated with that. Books that made/make an impression on me are like beloved family members who are with me always. I love your comment. xo

Expand full comment