Tales of the City: A Novel

“An extended love letter to a magical San Francisco.”—New York Times Book Review

The novel that spawned the beloved and enduring Tales of the City series, Armistead Maupin’s groundbreaking and hugely successful San Francisco saga—now available as a special Harper Perennial Olive Edition.

For almost four decades, Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City has blazed a unique trail through popular culture—from a groundbreaking newspaper serial to a classic novel to a television event that entranced millions around the world. The first of nine novels about the denizens of the mythic apartment house at 28 Barbary Lane, Tales of the City is both a sparkling comedy of manners and an indelible portrait of an era that forever changed the way we live.

Harper Perennial Olive Editions are exclusive small-format editions of some of our bestselling and celebrated titles, and feature unique hand-drawn cover illustrations. All Olive Editions are available for a limited time only.

“A consummate entertainer who has made a generation laugh. . . . It is Maupin’s Dickensian gift to be able to render love convincingly.” - Edmund White, Times Literary Supplement

“An enormously talented writer—witty but always sympathetic, generous in showing us the secrets of his heart...By writing about what’s seemingly different Armistead Maupin always manages to capture what’s so hilariously painfully true for all of us.” - Amy Tan

“Perhaps the most sublime piece of popular literature America has ever produced. . . . As with the Beatles, everyone seems to like Maupin’s tales—and really, why would you want to find someone who didn’t?” - Salon

“Maupin is a peerless visionary who created a queer community of friends decades ago and is still at the top of his game.” - Library Journal