Logical Family: A Memoir

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.

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.

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'.

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!!!!

A superb read. Armistead Maupin is a great writer and his books are a delight to read. Thoroughly recommend this book.

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.

Boring compared to his fiction.

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.