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Title: Shopgirl by Steve Martin ISBN: 0-7868-8568-8 Publisher: Theia Pub. Date: 05 September, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $10.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.91 (299 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Better than I expected
Comment: First things first: I love Steve Martin. And when I say love, I mean "am obsessed with"; I quote freely and liberally from "The Jerk" and think "Cruel Shoes" is a masterpiece. Despite this qualification, I wasn't expecting to particularly care for this book; the premise sounded weak, and especially in the hands of a man best known for clever ironies and absurdly crafted scenarios (i.e., his pieces for the New Yorker).
Granted, there is a bit of fluff here that misses the mark, and there are still some absurdist elements which seems out of place in a modern romance of sorts, but Mr. Martin does a surprisingly impressive job of writing a woman. Mirabelle seems, in part, like me, or like one of a number of female friends. She works and dates, but always wonders if there isn't something more to it all than what she's created for herself. And casting her as a glove salesperson was a subtle stroke of genius.
After reading the tale in one sitting (not something to boast about, in light of its few pages), I found myself sad to leave the characters--sad to leave the story. Though I doubt this slim book will be one for the ages, it remains a touching, thoughtful story with flashes of brilliance and hilarity. I still love Steve Martin. (Steve, are you listening?)
Rating: 5
Summary: Brilliant piece of fiction
Comment: 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!
Rating: 4
Summary: Elegantly Coarse
Comment: A lovely short story with seemingly every word carefuly selected. The voice is elegantly coarse, a bit of a surprise coming from such a familiar personality. Vivid descriptions and the very realistic Man/Woman contrasting perspecitves make
ShopGirl a thought-provoking read. I hope the film will be as enjoyable.
Michael Duranko
www.bootism.com
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Title: The Pleasure of My Company: A Novel by Steve Martin ISBN: 0786869216 Publisher: Hyperion Press Pub. Date: 01 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Pure Drivel by Steve Martin ISBN: 078688505X Publisher: Hyperion Pub. Date: 06 October, 1999 List Price(USD): $10.95 |
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Title: Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Other Plays : Picasso at the LapinAgile, the Zig-Zag Woman, Patter for a Floating Lady, WASP by Steve Martin ISBN: 0802135234 Publisher: Grove Press Pub. Date: October, 1997 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Underpants, The a Play By Carl Sternheim by Steve Martin ISBN: 0786888245 Publisher: Hyperion Pub. Date: 20 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $10.95 |
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Title: White Widow by James Lehrer, Jim Lehrer ISBN: 189162041X Publisher: PublicAffairs Pub. Date: 16 May, 2000 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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