Logical Family: A Memoir
Product ID: 53452283
'A sweet, filthy peach of a memoir from a cultural explosion of a man.' CAITLIN MORAN Born in the mid-twentieth century and raised in the heart of conservative North Carolina, Armistead Maupin lost his virginity to another man “on the very spot where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.” Realizing that the South was too small for him, this son of a traditional lawyer packed his earthly belongings into his Opel GT (including a beloved portrait of a Confederate ancestor), and took to the road in search of adventure. It was a journey that would lead him from a homoerotic Navy initiation ceremony in the jungles of Vietnam to that strangest of strange lands: San Francisco in the early 1970s. Reflecting on the profound impact those closest to him have had on his life, Maupin shares his candid search for his “logical family,” the people he could call his own. "Sooner or later, we have to venture beyond our biological family to find our logical one, the one that actually makes sense for us,” he writes. “We have to, if we are to live without squandering our lives." From his loving relationship with his palm-reading Grannie who insisted Maupin was the reincarnation of her artistic bachelor cousin, Curtis, to an awkward conversation about girls with President Richard Nixon in the Oval Office, Maupin tells of the extraordinary individuals and situations that shaped him into one of the most influential writers of the last century. Maupin recalls his losses and life-changing experiences with humor and unflinching honesty, and brings to life flesh-and-blood characters as endearing and unforgettable as the vivid, fraught men and women who populate his enchanting novels. What emerges is an illuminating portrait of the man who depicted the liberation and evolution of America’s queer community over the last four decades with honesty and compassion―and inspired millions to claim their own lives. Review: A real page turner / binge read - A real page turner . I cried lots, laughed lots and had a huge smile when I finished this amazing memoir. I certainly can relate in certain aspects with the author - the feelings I had as a very lonely gay guy in rural England and trying “to fit in” and failed were very similar and I now understand what a profound positive effect the Tales series of books really had on me. I think this book has something for everyone - I can’t wait for him to write the next chapter(s) of his amazing life. Review: Read it. You will not be sorry. - What a lovely book, warm, funny and interesting. Whilst Mr Maupin's life could not be more different from my own, some passages genuinely moved me to tears (almost - it was a very windy day.) Very honest, and very well written. I recommend this book most highly.
| Best Sellers Rank | 667,156 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 1,442 in Biographies on Novelist & Playwrights 44,610 in Literary Fiction (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,070 Reviews |
M**S
A real page turner / binge read
A real page turner . I cried lots, laughed lots and had a huge smile when I finished this amazing memoir. I certainly can relate in certain aspects with the author - the feelings I had as a very lonely gay guy in rural England and trying “to fit in” and failed were very similar and I now understand what a profound positive effect the Tales series of books really had on me. I think this book has something for everyone - I can’t wait for him to write the next chapter(s) of his amazing life.
D**N
Read it. You will not be sorry.
What a lovely book, warm, funny and interesting. Whilst Mr Maupin's life could not be more different from my own, some passages genuinely moved me to tears (almost - it was a very windy day.) Very honest, and very well written. I recommend this book most highly.
C**N
Logical Memoir.
Who will read this book? Well, Armistead's friends and readers. It will not be a book that casual readers will pick up, which is a shame. For friends and fans the book fills in gaps and explains things that most will already know or suspect. It is a straight forward memoir of his life with certain events that Armistead recalls as being important to him and affected the direction of his life; and also how he dealt with uncomfortable truths that eventually had to be addressed. There is no name dropping for effect just a report on meetings with people that 'just happened' (as they do) with no bravado. There are no sordid details or passages for tittilation: for example, we don't find out what Rock Hudson liked to do in bath houses or in bed, no sensationalism about Armistead's sexual encounters. This book could be turned into a TNT afternoon movie. The book accepts that nearly everyone knows a bit about Gay liberation and Gay goings-on and it does not elaborate on this, treating it as matter of fact. It also accepts that one knows about the author's books, which is understandable. But I would recommend it to anyone who likes memoirs/biographies. It would be a perfect holiday read as it can be read quickly and the style and contents keeps the reader reading. It would also serve as a lead into reading the author's 'Tales of the City' series and his other novels 'Maybe The Moon' and 'The Night Listener'.
K**E
Life changing: is what logical family does!
Every since I read Armistead's first Tale in the city saga my life has been on a journey because of it and even more so because of the truest most profound concept of logical family. From being my first book for a new queer book club (my first book club ever) I've been opened to a world of queer literature I never knew was there thanks to being a child born in the 70s and growing up in Maggie's Clause 28 prison. Through this club I've met some of my most sincere logical kin, been taken through riches beyond compare and strengthened my gay soul. As a gay man with broken links to what is biological Armistead's logical kin is now my life's philosophy and to see him perform it live for the BBC Christmas show in London and now to read it's words on the page and to be given it as a 40th present by one of my logical kin. This book could not be any less of my other Bible than the Lord's himself. Thank you Armistead for helping to shape my world in ways you could never know and for making my heart find the love biology could never give. You're an inspiration!!!!
P**E
A Great read
A superb read. Armistead Maupin is a great writer and his books are a delight to read. Thoroughly recommend this book.
M**R
Insight into racism in American families
This is a wonderful read, on many levels. Maupin is just the most engaging of writers. But the part that really stands out at the current time is him grappling with his family's racism and history of slave-owning.
D**D
Three Stars
Boring compared to his fiction.
L**N
Fab - u - luss
Love, love, loved this book. So sad that AM Snr was so trapped within his own life story and grateful thanks that AM jnr wasn't. Going to wallow in a re-read of the 'City' books with a new eye.
N**W
Have enjoyed all of Maupin's writing
Have enjoyed all of Maupin's writing. This autobiography is great background and explains a lot, along with being a memoir of a particular time and place
R**I
Armistead Maupin's life.
Great book for a man who had a great life and who has great talent.
S**E
Biografia di uno scrittore singolare
Sono memorie piene di tanti episodi divertenti quelle di Armistead Maupin, lo scrittore di "Tales of the City". Ma anche della travagliata relazione con un padre ultra conservatore, che non accetterà mai pienamente la sua omosessualità. Del retroterra culturale degli stati del Sud che si scontrano poi con la grande esperienza di San Francisco. E infine, sono davvero tante le chiavi di lettura che Maupin offre per i suoi "Racconti di San Francisco", e si scopre in particolare che la Lettera alla Madre, scritta da "Tolliver" nella finzione, era davvero indirizzata alla madre, e chiude il libro...
A**R
book arrived slightly dog eared / rating has nothing to do with substance of the book
The front cover was creased. The back cover bottom corner dog eared.
C**N
justo lo que esperaba
El autor entremezcla situaciones de su vida con los persoajes y hechos de sus novelas. Es divertido y da una imagen precisa de la dificultad de las personas homosexuales para aceptarse y encontrar aceptación y un un sitio en la sociedad.
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