The Days of Anna Madrigal

Would you consider the audio edition of The Days of Anna Madrigal to be better than the print version?

This is, without doubt, the best title I have bought so far. Everything about this performance - from the story, to the pace, to the narration - is PERFECT! I bought it not knowing that it was the 9th book in a series, and it was still easily understood. I am going back now though, and reading them all. WELL-DONE!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Anna....you agree with me, I promise.

What about Kate Mulgrew’s performance did you like?

Stunning. I could not put this one away. I sincerely wish that she would narrate every title on here. There are many characters in this story, and she embodied each one, and gave them spirit that is truly memorable.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Many. But I'd hate to point them out and ruin the surprise.

This book, the latest in the Tales of the City series, is a trip down memory lane for its primary character -- Anna Madrigal. I have lived with these characters since I first began reading the series at the insistence of my lover in 1995. It didn't take long to fall in love with the residents of 28 Barabary Lane and all of the crazy connections and puzzle pieces as they plunked into place one at a time. Although they have all moved out and moved on, their friendship has withstood the test of time.

In this adventure, Anna Madrigal is reaching the end. She is 92 years old and is unable to walk easily by herself. Throughout the book, we learn many of the secrets of her life. She goes back to the Blue Moon Lodge in her mind and we learn how, in 1936, she left and never returned.

The familiar characters are here as well. Many of them play mere supporting roles, weaving in and out of the narrative to keep the story moving along.

Stories from the entire series are sprinkled around... It's not necessary to have read the rest of the series to appreciate them, but if you have, you will be thrown back to those events in your mind and will experience them all with a sense of nostalgia for the past. My favorite is Micheal's remembrance of dressing as Pan... It reminds me of old friends sitting around talking about the past.

I won't give any details away since that is half the fun of an Armistead Maupin novel, but suffice it to say that it was a satisfying installment in the TOtC series. Will there be others? Who knows? I hope so. Was this a final installment? If so, it is a beautifully written end to a wonderful series.

As far as Kate Mulgrew's narration goes, I can't imagine anyone (other than AM himself) being able to do a better job. She understands each of the characters and gives them a dialect here or a deeper voice there. Her narration made this a very enjoyable listen.

I recommend this title to any and all fans of the TOtC series.