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Summary: ~Classic tale of the wealthy older man & the younger woman ~
Review: As I listened to Steve Martin reading the book. I felt like it was being read to me by someone I knew. I pictured what the people looked like and his discriptions were precise. *If this was made into a movie who would play Mirabelle..? That was my constant thought. She is a 28yr.old artist type working her way to nowhere at Neimans a college grad of few words. She sizes men up by the shoes they wear. Mirabelle lives in a bubble she is naive and along comes this wealthy older gentelman who she thinks will save her. She tries to play it cool. She is not cool she is a 28 yr old child who has no future but she does not know it. I listened in my car and missed my exit. I wanted to hear what happened next to Mirabelle and Ray Porter. The author never just calls him Ray it is always First & Last name. Making him seem important,but reminding us of Mr. Porters age and libido. Why would a 28 yr old ever be attracted to a man 50+? Is this real life.. Makes you understand why she is on celexa! I got the book for Christmas (it was on my list) but I am not a reader. I am however a Shopgirl and this title fits perfectly on my bookshelf with other books,that I do not read but the titles match either my personality or my lifestyle. When I found it on cassette I had to get it and see what I was missing.. The beginning is slow but soon you are wanting to know more about Mirabelle,Jeremy,Lisa & Ray Porter. I especially enjoyed the way each scene was setup..Made the story easy to follow. I was able to visualize L.A, Neimans, The Time Clock Cafe & the faces.
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Summary: A pleasant way to spend a couple of hours...
Review: If you liked Steve Martin's movie, A Simple Twist of Fate, (he adapted the screenplay) then you will probably like this book. It was a fast easy read. I blew through it in a couple of hours on a plane. An interesting story about being alone in a world full of beautiful people, when you don't feel so beautiful yourself. The emotional rollercoaster of day to day life, when you wonder if the anti-depressants are still working and a coming of age story for all three of the main characters. It's a different side of Steve Martin, his intellegence and wit shines. It's a curl up on the sofa and waste a rainy afternoon kind of book.
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Summary: Steve Martin wrote this? Wow...
Review: This is such a departure from his comedic performing and movie writing. However, he also succeeds in this genre. I'm envious of his talent, to say the least. "Shopgirl" is compact and well written. What Martin spares book length, he adds in character depth. His characters are layered and complex. As you read, you'll empathize with their lonliness, family dramas, heartache, and dreaming for things seemingly unattainable. Be prepared. You're not going to find lots of action, surprise, and adventure between these covers. This is one of those books where it's not so much the story that's interesting -- it's the *telling* of the story, as it unravels in a predictable -- but noneless compelling -- way. I highly recommend it. Enjoy!
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Summary: Just Don't Get It.............
Review: all the hoopla over this story, that is. It is short but I pushed myself to finish. On every page I was telling myself that certainly this would pick up in the very next paragraph. For me it never clicked. I just don't think it is all that great a story and I'm sorry I wasted my money on it. If you want to read it wait until it is available in the library. A much wiser decision than I made.
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Summary: Steve Martin can write some pretty serious stuff!
Review: When I picked up this book I assumed it would come with the wit and hilarity that follows Steve Martin, I was wrong. I enjoyed this book. I thought he did a great job of getting into the minds of his characters without drowning us in symbolism. May December romances are very common and I thought this came to the true heart of the matter. Enjoy, I know I did.
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Summary: Brilliant piece of fiction
Review: Ever since reading Picasso at the Lapin Agile, I've adored Steve Martin. His writing is brilliant. In Shopgirl, Martin creates an tale so real, it's uncanny. It could have happened to any one of us! Mirabelle is a shy, naive 28-year old who works in the glove department at Neiman's. Over the course of the novel, she discovers herself, losing her innocense in a way that seems inevitable to each and every one of us. The book truly hit close to home with me. Martin's characters are all so REAL. Jeremy, is the bumbling, clueless "boy", who finally grows up. Ray, the rich, older man, doesn't know who or what he wants. Both teach Mirabelle how to free herself--how to become independent. With Martin's background in comedy, some might expect this to be a funny story. Instead, it's a serious portrayal of life. Even so, it never lost my interest; in fact, it met all my high expectations. All three main characters are so likeable, even Ray, with his perpetual cheating. Bravo to Martin for such a great first novel. I can't wait for the next one!
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Summary: An tight, descriptive story that hits home
Review: Very few people will read this book and not somehow relate to its few characters - there is something in here that to which anyone can relate. Steve is demonstrating his ability not only at humor but also at social commentary and the tricky nuances of personal and sexual relationships. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and hope that he has the ideas and descriptive power for a novel in the near future.
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Summary: A good read
Review: A lovely tale of loneliness, lust, love, friendship and the struggle for meaningful human connection. The novella is populated with characters who falter and fall, misunderstand and are misunderstood, just get by or don't even try, but in the end somehow scrape up enough self-belief to steer their lives along a more satisfying path. Martin's nimble, thoughtful writing is dotted with unexpectedly funny descriptions - unexpected despite knowing he is a comedian because they ambush the reader in mid-narrative with incisive, knowing clarity. A good read.
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Summary: This was a take-it or leave-it book!!!
Review: Don't get me wrong...I love Steve Martin. "Shopgirl"...well...I won't say I love it because it would be lying. I found it to be an average read. I'm an avid fiction reader and have spent many worthwhile hours reading tasty tidbits. This wasn't a Hostess Twinkie by any means.....more so a little extra cheese on your burger. Mirabelle was an underdeveloped wallflower and her beau, Ray was a sloth. Jeremy was the only person in this book to spark any interest on my part.
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Summary: An introspective look at human nature.
Review: Who would have thought that this short novella would be packed with such a wry, witty, and insightful undercurrent of thought? Mirabelle is stuck in her everyday grind as a salesgirl for Niemans in LA, her specialty area is the not so popular glove counter. It is here that she meets the millionaire that is soon to change her life, but not in the way one might expect. Martin has clearly defined the opposing thought process between man and woman. He says yes, she hears no. He's being honest, she's hearing rejection in what he thinks is an attempt to communicate. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a short quick read, written with an intelligent edge, most enjoyable is Martin's ability to show the quirky side of his characters, those things that we all recognize in ourselves but keep hidden from the world. This book is much more than I expected. It just recapitulates the fact that good things come in small packages. 2/15/01
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