Helpful Score: 2
I totally enjoyed this one and already ordered the next 3 in the series (found them here, of course). These are tales of San Francisco in its hey-day. Lives overlap and intertwine. Short "segments" make for a fast read. Fun and fast, with interesting characters. Some nice, some not so nice, but all with their own story. I wish I had seen the PBS mini-series. I want to live at 28 Barbary Lane and meet Anna Madrigal and the other tenants.
Helpful Score: 1
A fun read with many interesting characters
I picked this up at the thrift store, along with Volume 3, but I already have a copy of this one waiting to be read.
The first of six novels about life in the city at apartment house 28 Barbary lane. A book of humor.
I grew up in San Francisco and I got a kick out of reading about how different it was in the aftermath of the Summer of Love but before AIDS...but some things never change...the Marina Safeway is still considered "Singles Safeway," Baker Beach is still clothing optional, and the Buena Vista is still serving their signature Irish Coffees.
I love this book! The pace is good, it's a quick easy read and the characters are so interesting. I can't wait to get the rest of the books in this series!
I also recommend seeing the PBS miniseries based on this book. I saw that first and fell in love with the story, thus wanting to read the book it was based on....
I also recommend seeing the PBS miniseries based on this book. I saw that first and fell in love with the story, thus wanting to read the book it was based on....
Took me a little bit to get into, but was a complete page turner as soon as I did. The short chapters were also a plus, because I'm always reading on the go and like being able to stop quickly.
I loved it...a great story that opens your eyes to the eccentricities of life in San Francisco
I liked the way the character's lives all intertwine. The chapters are short and easy to read. Very humorous.
a group of small stories, all interrelated and very relaxing to read. a quick read. i'm going to continue reading the rest of the series.
A friend of a friend recommended this book--in fact, he bought it for me, he was so sure I'd love it. Even though it's dated, I felt that the story and the characters were so contemporary. (despite the fact that it's set in San Fran, circa 1970, when AIDs was just becoming an issue.) Unputdownable... I'm totally hooked and want to read the remainder in the series.
Good book. Very interesting about San Francisco in the '70s. A great cast of characters. Would love to watch the TV miniseries.
This is a great and entertaining series.
FRankly I found this book pretty boring. Maybe someone else will appreciate it.
Great characters that you will fall in love with. If you came of age in the 70's this is a must read for you.
The San Fran classic
I used to watch the PBS series. Very liberal and very San Francisco, I love this stuff.
Odd book, odder than I expected.
this is the first book in a wonderful series of books about interesting charachters set in San Francisco. these stories were originally a column in the local paper which developed into the books and then a series on PBS. you will get hooked but must be a liberal thinking person because of some of the abtics and lifestyles talked about. i have the entire series and not giving them away...LOL
Nice international fiction.
A classic, pretty tame by today's standards.
I didnt find this to be the classic I was expecting. A little sophomoric instead. Too much Peyton Place!
Did not read, but enjoyed by a friend.
