The thing is though there are overarching themes that actually get solved as well, which makes it very interesting to read in its entirety. Each chapter was featured as the daily story and because of this the book seems highly dramatic at time because it would be fairly obvious that each article had to keep the reader invested to return to it the next day to read. The reason for this ease isn't because Maupin wrote them this way as a book, but because the chapters are originally articles that appeared in, I believe don't quote me on this, the San Francisco Chronicle. One of the things that makes this particular book interesting is that each chapter is relatively short, so it is quickly read and makes it easy for a reader to find a stopping point when they need to put it down for awhile. While the colourful cast of characters – whether they’re a loveable fan-favourite or someone you love to hate – draw you along for an intriguing and camp journey.This book continues the characters that are introduced in Tales of the City, which is the first of this particular series.

Plus, more than in any of Maupin’s other Tales of the City books, Significant Others delves into the lives of queer women and their experiences, exploring many of the perceptions of lesbian and bisexual women during this time.Īs always, Maupin’s writing brings together a warmth and humour even when dealing with difficult topics such as fatphobia.

“The worst of times in San Francisco was still better than the best of times anywhere else.” Set at a time when the HIV and AIDS pandemic was at its peak, Maupin’s Significant Others perfectly captures the friendship and humour that got many people through such a dark period.

“For a man who’d lost twelve friends and a lover in less than three years, he was doing alright.” Unsurprisingly, given that the camps are so close by, they soon cross paths and become entangled in Maupin’s usual mayhem. The story takes the reader away from Barbary Lane, for the most part, to visit The Bohemian Grove – a real place whose rituals have been compressed and minorly altered for the story – and Wimminwood – a fictional, female-only entity which has been based on the real-life practices of several different women’s music festivals across America. He says every generation produces a performer that straight boys are allowed to be queer for.”

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