June discussion: Tales of the City

Happy Pride everyone!

The Time to Read gang is reading the classic Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin, and as always we want to hear from you. Maupin’s influential novel was first written as a serial in the San Francisco Chronicle and was one of the first novels to speak about the AIDS epidemic, and for many was their first positive portrayals of queer and trans folks.

Please join in our discussion and let us know what you think about the book. Does it hold up in 2020? Is it justifiably a “classic”? Let us know!

1. 1. 1. Tales of the City was groundbreaking when published in the 1970s in its depiction of many 2SLGBTQ+ themes and issues. As we celebrate Pride month, what books do you recommend that also explore some of these themes?
      2. Queer and non-queer folks we meet in Tales of the City have clearly found a chosen family within the walls of the house on 28 Barbury Lane. Have you found yourself in a similar situation where the house/place in which you live helps to create that supportive atmosphere of “family”?
      3. Tales of the City while groundbreaking for its time is still very white. The 2019 Netflix series addresses some of this with inclusion of more BIPOC characters. What are some other examples of books that have been successfully “updated” to address potential problematic  issues?
      4. Tales of the City is filled with colourful and memorable characters. Who (if any) did you most identify with? Why? Why not?
      5. Tales of the City refers a lot to the pop culture of the time it was written. What are your favourite 70s pop culture references?

The book is available  as an ebook on Overdrive –  let us know what you think here in the comments, to wpl-podcast@winnipeg.ca  on our Facebook group, or through social media.