Mona of the Manor

 

This book is #10, the final in the "Tales of the City" series.  I have been reading this series since Book #1 was serialized in the San Francisco Chronicle in 1976.

Time-wise, this book takes place after book 9 (which told of the death of Anna Madrigal) and is the story of Anna's daughter, Mona, who owns an estate in England.  She married Lord Teddy Roughton so he could secure his visa—allowing him to remain in the gay world of San Francisco—she never imagined she would be the sole owner of Easley House, Teddy’s grand, romantic country manor in the UK.

Maupin sets this story in the 1990’s when Mona Ramsey lives with her adopted son Wilfred, and they rent out rooms in the estate to customers, to help keep  the expenses paid.

The problems of a rental couple set the stage for most of the story.  There is also reference to Barbary Lane residents in San Francisco.  Michael Tolliver is dealing with HIV having lost his partner to AIDS.  He convinces Anna Madrigal to come with him and surprise Mona on their trip to England.

Armistead Maupin's books are so well written, that I couldn't put this one down and finished it in 4 hours.  I love the whole Tales of the City saga because I grew up across the street from what would have been Barbary Lane.



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