BABYCAKES

Talented actor Alan Cumming delivers a stellar performance of Volume 4 of Maupin's Tales of the City. Fans will welcome the return of the quirky residents of 28 Barbary Lane, San Francisco, and there is sufficient backstory to offer newcomers an enjoyable stand-alone novel. Cumming individualizes the numerous personalities through subtle variations of pacing and intonation without resorting to stereotypes or losing Maupin's chatty style. Cumming's soft Scots burr is particularly appealing as characters and scenes from the UK enter the story. The novel was considered groundbreaking when it was originally published in 1984 for focusing on the AIDS epidemic. Now, in the 21st century, we see that its themes of love and family are timeless. M.O.B. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2013]