Fans of Maupin’s San Franciscan sextet Tales of the City rejoice! Almost twenty years since Sure of You he has returned with an instalment (of sorts) in this evergreen series. Although be warned, this isn’t strictly a continuation. As told by the title character, Michael Tolliver Lives focuses on Michael and less on other characters from the ‘Tales’ books. There’s enough here though to satisfy ardent devotees as Michael is in touch with most of the old gang. Importantly, Anna Madrigal, his 85-year-old ex-landlady is ever present to lend a wise quip. In the present day, Michael, now 55, is healthy despite his HIV status, in love with a much younger man, Ben, and runs a successful landscaping business with transgender employee Jake. When his fundamentalist mother falls drastically ill in Florida, he returns with Ben in tow. What ensues is classic Maupin: familial awkwardness, secrets exposed in soap-operatic fervour, steamy sex, racist queens, Christian puppeteers and a butch gay hairdresser named Patreese. Pleasant and bittersweet surprises abound. Mostly, this is about growing older and celebrating families, both the ones we are born into and the ones found along the way.

Jason Austin is from Readings Carlton