OK episodic stories typical of late '70s SF area. Like soap opera to a degree but very readable. ( )

I'm glad I finally read this, but am disappointed that the quality of the writing fell so below the hype. Still, I found myself caught up with the characters and enjoyed picturing all of the locations. ( )

I reread this book because I remembered enjoying it the first time I read it and because it is considered a gay classic. However, I didn't really enjoy reading it this time around. The characters are shallow, the situations absurd and the dialogue poor. The characters are just working towards saying a particular line, and they and the characters around them are made to say whatever it takes to get to that line as quickly as possible. I'm glad this book exists, and I'm grateful for the role it has performed for so many readers, but I won't be reading any others in the series, and for a gay-themed series, that's a pretty brutal indictment. Another such indictment is that much of the praise for the book quoted inside the cover calls it "Dickensian". Given that I have never enjoyed Dickens, it's no surprise that I didn't enjoy this soap opera. ( )

LOVED this book! It was so much fun to hear the names of streets and neighborhoods that I know, and to look up businesses mentioned in the book to see if they're still around. I can't wait to start the next book in the series. ( )

I read this series when I was in my teens and parts of it have always stayed with me. Mrs Madrigal being one character who I would LOVE to meet. ( )