Book Review: "Babycakes" by Armistead Maupin

You can read my review of another Armistead Maupin book here:

Yes, I'm reading them out of order but honestly I don't care at this point. These books are brilliant and this book, entitled Babycakes, is no exception. These books deal directly with the prejudice faced by the LGBT folk at the hands of an era that truly didn't think they were real people with real lives and feelings. They navigate a world in which they are often told they don't fit and yet, in Babycakes, we are in San Francisco in the 1980s and for the first time I am aware of in this series, we witness the AIDS crisis. Harrowing, raw, emotional and yet, so moving and brilliant - I am adoring the works of Armistead Maupin so far and I hope I find more as I go along.

The novel deals with a man named Michael and the loss of his partner named Dr. Jon Fielding. As I have been constantly told as well, this is one of the first works of popular literature that deals directly with the AIDS crisis in this way. This book definitely looks at the heartbreaking reality of it from the inside rather than the crappy panic that was surrounding it, created by the homophobic media. Again, people often forgotten that at the heart of the AIDS crisis were very real people with real lives who were not allowed to live them. Armistead Maupin's ability to word and express the heartbreak is something else. You genuinely cannot drag yourself away from the emotions.

Whilst we have this character and their storyline, we also have Mary Ann and Brian who are living as a conventional married couple and yet, are struggling to have a child. Eventually, Shawna will be born but not in the way either of them expect - Michael is named as the godfather of the child. Whilst Michael takes a trip to the UK looking for a change of scene to help his grief, Armistead Maupin paints this beautiful picture of someone struggling not only to come to terms with the death of their love, but of someone who is going to have to confront the changing age which might have brought sexuality to the forefront but is slowly also sliding backwards in acceptance. Are people really moving on from the age of free love in a way that is solidifying itself in the conservative eras of the past again? There's something terrifying about that for someone like Michael considering what he has already been through.

We get to meet Mona again in this book too. Well, I guess we meet Mona before ... you know what I mean. Mona is living in a British Castle and she is there for Michael when he needs her. This is also where we meet the character of Wilfred (he appears in Mona of the Manor as well). I was quite happy to learn about his origin story and who he was before Mona. Honestly, I should have read these in order and I kind of feel bad for not doing so now. No, I don't know which one Babycakes is in the series. In fact, I didn't even know it was part of the same series until after I'd bought it. Anyways, Armistead Maupin definitely makes this one of the most readable books I have gained access to this year. I love books concerning the LGBTQIA+ people but something which gives us access to how they have overcome such adversity and how much resilience they have in their history is something I am keenly interested in.

All in all, I cannot praise Armistead Maupin as a writer enough. There's something about these books that keep me hooked on to them. There are a couple of comedy elements to these books too, so it's not all doom and gloom. For example: there is quite a funny bit or two in this book that includes the Queen of England going to receive a manicure. I'm not going to tell you too much about that scene because though it sounds silly, it is very, very important to understanding the storyline. Go on, read it and find out why for yourself!