Author:Armistead Maupin
The first novel in the belovedTales of the Cityseries, Armistead Maupin’s best-selling San Francisco saga, is an uproariously moving novel and an indelible portrait of cultural change from the seventies.
Named as one of the BBC’s 100 Most Inspiring Novels, a PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick and Britain’s favourite gay/lesbian novel from The Big Gay Read
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Originally serialised in the San Francisco Chronicle in the 1970s, Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City afforded a mainstream audience of millions its first exposure to straight and gay characters experiencing on equal terms the follies of urban life.
Among the cast of this ground-breaking saga are the lovelorn residents of 28 Barbary Lane: the bewildered but aspiring Mary Ann Singleton, the libidinous Brian Hawkins; Mona Ramsey, still in a sixties trance, Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver, forever in bright-eyed pursuit of Mr. Right; and their marijuana-growing landlady, the indefatigable Mrs. Madrigal.
Hurdling barriers both social and sexual, Maupin leads them through heartbreak and triumph, through nail-biting terrors and gleeful coincidences. The result is a glittering and addictive comedy of manners that continues to beguile new generations of readers.
Emily Henry's books are a gift, the perfect balance between steamy and sweet
—— V. E Schwab, GALLANTNobody does it quite like Emily Henry
—— Casey McQuiston, RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUEOur generation's answer to Nora Ephron
—— Sophie Cousens, THIS TIME NEXT YEARMy newest automatic-buy author
—— Jodi Picoult, WISH YOU WERE HEREMcIvor shines in this pitch-perfect narrative of power imbalances ... McIvor combines tight plotting and strong character development ... This makes for a winning story of comeuppance
—— Publishers WeeklyLikened to Bridget Jones.... It does have that same kind of wonderfully comic voice, as well as a protagonist to adore and root for
—— Anna Bonnet, Three Books to Read in JuneAfter an affair with a married government official ruins her prospects of becoming a writer, Bianca takes a job with an infamous make-up artist in this warm, Trinidad-set novel
—— The i Paper, Best Books to Read in JuneMc Ivor uses Bianca's attempt to rebuild her life to examine issues surrounding the beauty industry and the poverty, violence and corruption blighting life in Trinidad . . . There's lots to enjoy, particularly a more authentic picture of Caribbean life than the postcard fantasy
—— The TimesPart feminist tract, part love letter to an island . . . A self-aware, modern, female-centered novel out of Trinidad which breaks new ground
—— Monique Roffey, author of Costa Book of the Year, The Mermaid of Black ConchFull of characters whose struggles you feel to your bones - and will be rooting for all the way through. Bianca might just be one of my all-time favourite heroines. Fresh, smart, and packed with razor-sharp social commentary-a perfect blend of page-turning and thought-provoking
—— Caroline Mackenzie, author of One Year of UglyPhenomenal! A book worthy of a standing ovation. I will never forget how this novel made me feel. It's effortlessly beautiful
—— Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?A dazzling delight of a debut. The God of Good Looks is a captivating portrait of contemporary Trinidadian culture, a canny exploration of makeup's power as artifice and art, and a tender celebration of unexpected connections and the human need to love and be loved. I gasped, I laughed, I cried - I didn't want it to end!
—— Coco Mellors, author of Cleopatra and FrankensteinMc Ivor's debut novel ... effectively captures a surprising and evolving relationship in a mix of humor and drama ... A tale that tracks the universal theme of female agency in familial, professional, and social settings ... Memorable characters, evocative descriptions, and a well-paced story make this an eminently enjoyable novel
—— BooklistGet ready for the summer of love as intelligent romcoms take centre stage
—— Stylist, Why it’s the summer of the romcom bestsellerA riotously funny and fiercely loyal love letter to female friendship. The story of Edi and Ash proves that a best friend is a gift from the gods.... I laughed while crying, and was left revived. Newman is a comic masterhand and a dazzling philosopher of the day-to-day.
—— AMITY GAIGE, author of SEA WIFEWe All Want Impossible Things is one of those books I will be buying for everyone I know. A funny, moving, beautifully written book, I laughed and cried in equal measure. It is both a unique and wise take on friendship, love and loss that will stay with me for a very long time.
—— JENNIE GODFREY, author of THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGSThe funniest, most joyful book about dying - and living - that I have ever read.
—— K J DELL'ANTONIA, author of the New York Times bestselling THE CHICKEN SISTERSFor the last two days I have done nothing but read this book or think longingly about when I can return to reading this book. It's sad, and confronting, and comforting, and life-affirming all at the same time. Congrats, Catherine Newman, on an astonishing debut.
—— KATIE BISHOP, author of THE GIRLS OF SUMMERCatherine Newman sees the heartbreak and comedy of life with wisdom and unflinching compassion. The way she finds the extraordinary in the everyday is nothing short of poetry. She's a writer's writer-and a human's human.
—— KATHERINE CENTER , New York Times bestselling authorAn absolute heartbreaker of a novel. Catherine Newman's book... is a celebration of life. For anyone who has prepared a hole in their heart for loss, We All Want Impossible Things is a reminder that, in time, that hollowed hallowed space is also there for when the light and love pour back in.
—— LAURA ZIGMAN, author of SEPARATION ANXIETYHow did Catherine Neman write a book about dying that is so luminously alive? Earthy, funny, and terrifyingly honest - this is a book with heart and guts and all the other goopy gravt we need to stay among the living. A radical delight.
—— RUFI THORPENewman perfectly captures the beauty and burden of caring for someone in their final moments while showing the gift of Edi and Ash's once-in-a-lifetime friendship. A warm and remarkably funny book that will make readers laugh through their tears.
—— KIRKUSThis is a proper laugh-out-loud tale of friendship that will utterly win your heart ... A truly special book - prepare to read this, fall in love and then hector everyone you know into reading it.
—— STYLISTDevastatingly funny ... handled with compassion and courage in elegant prose lightened by honest humour.
—— MAIL ON SUNDAYWe All Want Impossible Things is a thing of rare beauty: sweet and sharp, to be devoured, then remembered and loved life-long.
—— iA celebration of friendship and family
—— FABULOUSBook of the month
—— GOOD HOUSEKEEPINGUtterly life-affirming and joyful
—— REDFull of humour, warmth and eye-popping honesty ... a beautiful, candid and uplifting testament to female friendship that will make you laugh and cry
—— WOMAN & HOMEBeautiful and emotional ... heartbreakingly sad, but also full of humour and ultimately about living and love. I will recommend this to everyone.
—— PRIMAFunny, bitter and life-affirming
—— GRAZIAThis is a story about holding on, the power of creating memories and, ultimately, letting go. Tissues at the ready.
—— THE HANDBOOKSmart dialogue and cutting wit ... an accomplished writer
—— IRISH TIMESA profound study of grief, love and friendship that will resonate with anyone who has lost someone special ... there are plenty of funny and touching moments in this beautiful novel that will make your heart soar.
—— HEATIn Newman's hands... this tale of love and friendship is tender, funny, life-affirming joy.
—— MARIE CLAIRE, 'Best Books of 2023'The most wonderful book in the way it celebrates friendship. I highly recommend it.
—— MARIELLA FROSTRUP, TIMES RADIOImpossible not to weep. Yet, we also find ourselves laughing out loud through the tears ... For all the sense of tragedy and loss, we see Ash develop renewed gratitude for the beauty and humour in even the most mundane moments of life.
—— DAILY EXPRESSFull of humour, warmth, and raw honesty ... a beautiful, uplifting testament to female friendship that will make you laugh and cry
—— WOMAN5 stars
—— SUNDAY EXPRESSUnique, touching and immersive
—— NB MagazineSupremely tense, intellectually sharp, and honed as hell
—— William Leith , ScotsmanBeyond virtuoso twists and turns, McEwan lays out the foreign landscape of 40 years ago – from smoky pubs to fuming punditry – with wry, affectionate panache
—— Boyd Tonkin , iTricksy, but satisfying
—— Justin Cartwright , ObserverThe sense of narrative purpose exerts its pull from the first
—— John Mullan , Guardian