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Summary: This book is the Part II of L.A. Story
Review: There is a scene in L.A. Story (Steve Martin also wrote it) where Steve Martin's character traces 'Bored beyond belief' on his foggy window on a rainy day. The theme of living in isolation while surrounded by noise and a busy superficial world, of desperately trying but not being able to connect with anyone is present in both L.A. Story and Shopgirl. In browsing many reviews of both L.A. Story and Shopgirl, it seems the general thought is often that these are interesting, but fluffy work. But if you've ever experienced real depression, have never found true friends or true love, then the scene in his book where the lead character Mirabelle tries in vain to contact her only two 'friends' for company on Thanksgiving, repeatedly taking walks to calm herself and hoping for the phone message light to be blinking when she returns, is more than just an amusing scene, it is a diary. It is funny, how one person's treasure is another person's trinket, but however a reader personally relates to this book, the book is so well written and insightful, I would recommend it to anyone. As others have said, it is a short book, I started reading it in a bookstore as I waited for some car repairs to be done and I was 3/4 done before even taking it home.
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Summary: Steve Martin's brilliant novella
Review: The Wild and Crazy Guy has matured into a wonderful novelist. Here, his story of Mirabelle, a cute counter girl, is more than a coming-of-age story. It's also a great social commentary, focusing on the culture in Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Martin's dialogue and prose are expressive, economic and, not surprisingly, hysterical. In fact, much of the dialogue I literally read out loud just to properly 'hear' the exchanges, something I usually leave to Shakespeare. So, this is a great first novel. It's brevity making it perfect for bed-table reading or even in a bubble bath. If you don't agree... Well EXCUUUUUUSE MEEEE!
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Summary: a good book, but buy the paperback
Review: I'm not particularly a Steve Martin fan. But I'm not a Steve Martin hater, either. I'm just not familiar with the vast majority of his work. I picked up the book without expectations or reservations. I was sucked in immediately by the story, and by Martin's fabulous diction. While occasionally I found his diction jarring, much of it was perfectly suited to the story at hand. I think it's quite telling that several of the reviews use so many quotes from the book in their review. The story centres around Mirabelle, a girl who works the glove counter at Neiman Marcus. The reader is introduced to Jeremy, a guy she meets at a Laundromat; Ray, an older man who sees her at the glove counter and asks her out; and Lisa, another Neiman employee whose schemes only involve breaking hearts. Martin's writing is deft as he takes us through the dance of these four people. For US$18, it's a bit stiff for such a quick and light read. I definitely recommend it, but I wouldn't consider it something that simply must be added to anyone's collection. Pick up the paperback instead of the hardcover, or check it out from your friendly local library.
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Summary: Audiobook addict - Delighted
Review: I have always been amused by Steve Martin's underlying wit when given a script allowing his personal insights to come through. This book was a delightful tease of a glimpse of life in Beverly Hills of a nobody. His development of Mirabel made me want to roam a giant dep't store looking for the real thing. The introspection into the feelings of each character as each encounter took place was exceptional. I rarely find fiction worth my time, but after Shopgirl, I'll be sure to watch for anything else from Mr. Martin.
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Summary: Worth a Read Despite Some Limitations
Review: When I was twelve, I said "Well Excuuuuuse ME!" with the best of them. My whole sense of humor is largely a product of Steve Martin albums. And I respect the idea of a comedian trying to write serious fiction. I like the idea that Steve Martin plays the banjo. I like multifaceted people. He doesn't write badly. Early on, I was happy to see hints that he was willing to do some things in his own way. Sometimes he "tells," instead of "shows," the reader what is going on; but in moderation it works fine, and, after all, Tolstoy did it. You can't end a story this way, though, and Martin does. And there are some lapses in tone: I winced when I saw the football coach-like word "enthused" in the middle of a fairly somber passage. But I've seen worse, sometimes from writers who are supposed to be good. In pursuit of its 'humane' message about relationships, this book passes over a lot of little things that ought to be examined. The characters, whatever their financial circumstances, are fairly stock people, living stock lives, thinking stock thoughts, believing what society tells them about what they want (a mate with nice shoes), and what they ought to spend their leisure time doing (drinking in moderation and attending art exhibits). Too many parts of life are called by their names only: categorized, evaluated, stored away unexamined, right down to the difference between a good meal and a bad one. when we are told that the heroine takes antidepressants because she is depressed, her depression is just depression; Martin knows the word, and a few symptoms, but he seems not to want a real look at the inside. He thinks about things with the ideas that his fellows give him. Martin is no dummy, it's true, but he does seem uptight and ultimately a little bit superficial. Old Steve has been in L.A. too long. A real, mature writer--say Denis Johnson--would evoke a deeper reaction, writing about the same kinds of experiences, by not being content merely to name them, but by experiencing them from a deeper place, and coming back and using words to communicate them to the reader. I ought to mention again that this book isn't that bad. I enjoyed it, and I hope that Steve keeps writing. But mostly, I hope he moves out of L.A.
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Summary: Its a sin he knows how to write a woman so well!
Review: How he knows and every other man alive does not, I do not know. Steve knows a woman, or atleast he writes them like he does. I read this in one single sitting. Could not put it down. Got caught alot hanging on words. Can't wait to the next work Steve. Try teaching some seminars in the meantime to men to teach them what you know.
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Summary: L.A., Martin style
Review: If this novella is similar to any of Steve Martin's films, it's L.A. Story. Like the movie, Shopgirl is narrated in what could only be Martin's own voice. From the first sentence you can almost hear his ironic-serious tones coming from somewhere just behind your left shoulder. In Steve Martin's L.A., it is always 72 degrees and sunny... and the characters are on Prozac, or a host of any other designer drugs. Make no mistake, this is not a terribly deep story. It's more of an extended character study than anything else, and as such it treats its main character with respect and just a hint of paternalism (though few fathers would likely be as well-informed about their daughter's sex life). But Steve Martin seems to have this continual love-hate relationship with the L.A. that the characters represent. On this level, the novella functions as a faintly damning portrait of the foggy morals and odd lifestyles of the people who are either natives, visitors, or new recruits. It's entertaining and light. It perhaps could have resolved more solidly, but the prose is fresh and definitely Martin-esque. The man is much smarter than people give him credit for - especially those people who only consider his earlier films!
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Summary: An Affair to Remember
Review: I picked up this book out of pure curiosity of Martin's writing adequacy. He didn't disppointed me much..not super impressive but creditable. A simple yet provoking plot about a glove salegirl ... painter Mirabelle's life or I should say going through vital and changing phases of her life. She have 2 men in her life Ray Porter whom twice her age but very sucessful and rich and Jeremy vice versa. Mirabelle's relationships with them are the key element in this entertaining novella. Through her diary happenings,we are be shown how or what going through Mirabelle's or the other's minds. Set in L.A make it more appealing and the colourful characters provide a stepping stone and it's almost ready for a movie. Martin did showed moments of genius through his depiction with ironic expression and quirky events. However,the precipitate conclusion was rather too forthcoming.
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Summary: Still waiting
Review: Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of Steve Martin, as an actor, and as a writer. I am also a teacher of writing, a novelist, and an avid reader. I loved Cruel Shoes. :-) But I think somebody should have told Steve to write his second novella before publishing this first one. The authorial distance is so far on this I feel as if I am looking at his characters (especially Mirabelle) through binoculars. I can find no reason to give a hoot what happens to these characters. I'm not sure why Mr. Martin chose to tell this story from Mirabelle's point of view, but it would have been nice to give her a personality, at least. I'm having a hard time getting through this very thin book, and the extremely self-conscious tone, unfortunately, reminds me of that totally crappy bestseller of several years back, "The Bridges of Madison County." Blech. I believe in you, Steve Martin, write in your OWN VOICE! I'm dying to hear it.
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Summary: Shopgirl packs delicious humor you can't get over the counte
Review: Shopgirl seem to transport us to a different world...or does it? Steve Martin has brilliantly articulated his idea in perhaps one of the best romance novels ever. He transports us to a world which we belive is fiction-because it is so humorous and intelleigent, because it is so surreal and simplistic. Then we realise after we put it down, that we are living the exact same thing. Steve has done well in projecting this image of love and the idea of being in love. This is a must read for those depressed souls to help them cheer up and smile when all the world seems faded. An excellent piece of litereature!
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