Rating: 
Summary: Eloquent, Sensitive, Beautiful
Review: I never knew Martin could write so beautifully! As others have noted, in this work he flaunts his extensive vocabulary and brilliant use of the English language in a way that completely shocked me. His sensitivity and tenderness are very impressive. Throughout the book I thought, "how can a man possibly write with such feminine insight?". But it really works for him.It was refreshing to examine characters in such raw depth... to explore their inner motivations and fears. And best of all, while the tone is primarily melancholy, the ending is sweet and touching, but still realistic. The characters are able to grow as individuals and take their relationships to a higher level.
Rating: 
Summary: Look beyond the obvious
Review: Shopgirl's plotline, consisting of twenty-something Mirabella and fifty-something Ray's May/December romance is, understandably a bit unoriginal. However, by looking just beneath the surface, one finds that Martin has imbued his characters with great insight about the limits and frustrations of desire and love.
For example, as part of an anti-climactic romance story, Mirabella's encounter with her father's ex-army buddy would seem out of place and unimportant. However, when put into context, the reader gains some insight into Mirabella's need for a strong father figure who showers her with attention and makes her feel like a daddy's girl. When Ray explores the concept further, identifying his need to protect Mirabella as the duty of a father, not a lover, he realizes that his inability to find a mate hinges on his dichotomous desires for youthful beauty and mature intelligence -a nearly impossible feat. As counterfoil to Mirabella, who is looking for truth and companionship, Martin introduces Mirabella's co-worker who simply longs to exert control over every man she meets and to obtain approval in all things sexual. While her promiscuity is the opposite of Mirabella's desires, her needs most likely stem from the same undeniable urges to defend oneself against being alone.
Overall, Shopgirl is a compelling novella that creates a snapshot of life as a search for love, in all its incarnations, and of love as a psychological necessity to complete one's sense of worth.
Rating: 
Summary: SnoozGirl
Review: I started this book probably 5 times before I could get past the 5th page. I agree with the reader who commented that this was written like an outline: Very short, terse statments (rather than sentences) written in the irritating present tense concerning past events. I finally got moving when I imagined Steve Martin sitting on my couch casually telling me this story as if he was talking about a friend, relative, etc. Then I hit the bedroom scene. Of course we just had to have that or this wouldn't have been published. Stick to comedy, Steve. Every comic has a deeper more serious self but this was just drivel. So many good books to waste time on celebrity hype like this.
Rating:
Summary: Where have you gone, LA Story?
Review: I usually adore Steve Martin's work, such as with Picasso at the Lapin Agile and LA Story. He left me deeply disappointed with Shopgirl. The plot is very simplistic, the characters' motivations sketchy, and it just seemed he did not put the usual amount of thought into this novella as he has done in other writings. It also seemed to me that Martin focused more on describing sex scenes and making references to genitalia than any other aspect of the book. Then again, perhaps this is why it was a best seller.
Rating:
Summary: a great little novella for a trip to vegas
Review: Who would have thought Steve Martin would have such insight into the world of women...He writes with a gentleness and a keen eye. I read Shopgirl while lying by the pool in Vegas, and read excerpts to my husband who seemed to enjoy it almost as me!!!
I have lent it to girlfriends who were all very impressed and shocked it came from funny man, Steve Martin! What a wonderful new writer.
Rating:
Summary: Good Read
Review: I thought this book was a good read. The relationship which unfolds throughout this book is far different from anything most people experience in their own lives. However, the book helped me to develop a good understanding of how these individuals could have matured into the adults they became making the plot more "believable". Martin does a great job of developing the characters and provides a very pleasant ending to the book. It's a fast, light read.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful
Review: Written vigorously, with both sensitivity to the human spirit and acerbic humor, this book accomplishes what many others that delve into human relations have not--it evokes emotion, understanding, and entertains all at once. I await Martin's second novella with great anticipation.
Rating:
Summary: An Interesting Read
Review: Shopgirl is nothing to get too excited about, but for fans of Steve Martin, it is definitely an interesting insight into Martin's ability to create realistic characters with realistic actions.
It is easy to get distracted by an entire novel written in present tense, and it seems Martin may have been better off not sidetracking the reader by doing so.
Martin's ability to understand women and their motives is the major salvation of this novel. It is rare to find a novelist who can so clearly connect with the opposite sex.
It's a very quick read (big font, 130 pages), and if you have a few extra minutes while a spouse is perusing the book store, you might want to save yourself the ten bucks and read it without purchase.
A must read if you're a Steve Martin fanatic.
Rating:
Summary: Steve Martin Delivers
Review: Steve Martin delivers in one of the best books I've read in years. As the story progressed, I found myself with emotional attachment to all the characters, including the underlying character of L.A. The characters are believable and honest - no one is portrayed in a higher light simply because she/he is the hero. The story is a light read - not too emotionally draining, unless of course, you have forgotten to take your pills. It is a story of how two people, through heartache and misunderstanding were actually able to, in the end, help each other become better people and fill a void that was present before they first met. I felt uplifted at the conclusion of the story.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT READING
Review: Not only is this book an easy read, it is very enchanting. Few men, especially celebrity types, know the opposite sex very well. Steve Martin obviously has a handle on this because I felt he gave 100% to the thoughts and feelings of the main character. She was believable. This is one of my favorites, till I finish the Pleasure of My Company...his newest book.
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