With more than 340,000 copies in print, Steve Martins Shopgirl has landed on bestseller lists nationwide including: New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times. Filled with the kind of witty, discerning observations that have brought Steve Martin incredible critical success, this story of modern day love and romance is a work of disarming tenderness.
Shopgirl
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Steve Martin's first foray into fiction is as assured as it is surprising. Set in Los Angeles, its fascination with the surreal body fascism of the upper classes feels like the comedian's familiar territory, but the shopgirl of the book's title may surprise his fans. Mirabelle works in the glove department of Neiman's, "selling things that nobody buys any more." Spending her days waiting for customers to appear, Mirabelle "looks like a puppy standing on its hind legs, and the two brown dots of her eyes, set in the china plate of her face, make her seem very cute and noticeable." Lonely and vulnerable, she passes her evenings taking prescription drugs and drawing "dead things," while pursuing an on-off relationship with the hopeless Jeremy, who possesses "a slouch so extreme that he appears to have left his skeleton at home." Then Mr. Ray Porter steps into Mirabelle's life. He is much older, rich, successful, divorced, and selfish, desiring her "without obligation." Complicating the picture is Mirabelle's voracious rival, her fellow Neiman's employee Lisa, who uses sex "for attracting and discarding men."
The mutual incomprehension, psychological damage, and sheer vacuity practiced by all four of Martin's characters sees Shopgirl veer rather uncomfortably between a comedy of manners and a much darker work. There are some startling passages of description and interior monologue, but the characters are often rather hazy types. Martin tries too hard in his attempt to write a psychologically intense novel about West Coast anomie, but Shopgirl is still an enjoyable, if rather light, read. --Jerry Brotton --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Movie star Martin shone in the comic essays of last year's Pure DrivelAbut can he write serious fiction? His debut novella gives fans a chance to find out. Shy, depressed, young, lonely and usually broke, Vermont-bred Mirabelle Butterfield sells gloves at the Beverly Hills Neiman Marcus (nobody ever buys); at night, she watches TV with her two cats. Martin's slight plot follows Mirabelle's search for loveAor at least romance and companionshipAwith middle-aged Ray Porter, a womanizing Seattle millionaire who may, or may not, have hidden redeeming qualities. Also in and out of Mirabelle's life are a handful of supporting characters, all of them lonely and alienated, too. There's her father, a dysfunctional Vietnam vet; the laconic, unambitious Jeremy; and Mirabelle's promiscuous, body-obsessed co-worker Lisa. Detractors may call Martin's plot predictable, his characters stereotypes. Admirers may answer thatAas in Douglas CouplandAthese aren't stereotypes but modern archetypes, whose lives must be streamlined if they are to represent ours. Except for its love-hate relations with L.A., little about this book sounds much like Martin; its anxious, sometimes flat prose style can be affecting or disorienting, and belongs somewhere between Coupland and literary chroniclers of depression like Lydia Davis. Martin's first novel is finally neither a triumph nor a disaster: it's yet another of this intelligent performer's attempts to expand his range, and those who will buy it for the name on the cover could do a lot worse. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback
Steve Martin is best known for his work as a performer, but Shopgirl definitely proved that he can write, too. The story is beautifully told in a narration that is both detailed and close to the feelings of the characters. Despite being a short read - I finished it in a day - it definitely left a huge impression on me. I fell in love with Mirabelle, Ray and Jeremy, enough to make me very curious about the movie version.
I am always doubtful when the book's jacket tries to sell me a book with comments such as "'with consequences that are both comic and hearthbreaking"'. This time though, it was true. I laughed, turned a page, felt sad, turned a page, laughed again. The humor is ironic and, at the same time, incredibly true.
The narrator never digs really deep in the characters thoughts, but rather use the details of their actions to express who they are. He also underlines how the characters, even when in the wrong, don't necessarily do it to hurt each other; this explores another side of relationships, where even when you think things are clear, misunderstanding may happen.
On my next book-shopping trip, I'll certainly look for more of Martin's writing.
I am always doubtful when the book's jacket tries to sell me a book with comments such as "'with consequences that are both comic and hearthbreaking"'. This time though, it was true. I laughed, turned a page, felt sad, turned a page, laughed again. The humor is ironic and, at the same time, incredibly true.
The narrator never digs really deep in the characters thoughts, but rather use the details of their actions to express who they are. He also underlines how the characters, even when in the wrong, don't necessarily do it to hurt each other; this explores another side of relationships, where even when you think things are clear, misunderstanding may happen.
On my next book-shopping trip, I'll certainly look for more of Martin's writing.
By Shepherdess Extraordinaire
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Steve Martin is a gifted writer. I saw the DVD first and loved it so much that I read the book. The book was just as great. Steve Martin writes with emotion, quirkiness, and depth. He has great understanding of relationships and what life is about. I highly recommend his other book as well, The Pleasure of My Company.
Format:Paperback
It's a very bitersweet look at broken hearts and modern life. I found it difficult to stop reading though, and was dissapointed it was as short as it was.
Still, it's one of my favourite modern novels.
Still, it's one of my favourite modern novels.
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3.9 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Its alright
Its an alright book. Not what I expected from Steve Martin.
Published on Dec 2 2005
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not the best.
I have to admit, I did not like this book. I found my self easily distracted while reading. The story line in general was just okay. Read more
Published on July 7 2004 by Kathryn Baker
3.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable and quick read
Comedian Steve Martin provides a tongue-in-cheek novella that mirrors his subtle stage and screen comic personality. Read more
Published on Jun 28 2004 by Paul S. Brittain
2.0 out of 5 stars
I Like Steve Martin But I Didn't Like This Book
Older rich guy is attracted to young beautiful depressed girl. Treats her to his lifestyle. She thinks he cares about her, falls in love. He is just using her, she gets hurt. Read more
Published on Jun 22 2004 by TawnTawn
3.0 out of 5 stars
Shopgirl
"Shopgirl"
Steve Martin
$30.00
Steve Martin is a stand up comedian, actor and writer. Read more
Steve Martin
$30.00
Steve Martin is a stand up comedian, actor and writer. Read more
Published on Jun 14 2004 by Hayley Richards
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I'd hoped
I bought this book while on vacation at the beach based on the cover, scarlet, which caught my eye, and the author, Steve Martin, an actor I love. Read more
Published on Jun 7 2004 by christy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quick, few hour enjoyable read.
This was an interesting look into a shopgirl's "normal" life. Neatly written, following along the lines he describes in the story of Ray's obsession with neatness and... Read more
Published on May 21 2004 by P. Hall
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fast read but disappointing
I liked the basic story of a person's life and relationships coming full circle, but I found it to be to wordy and descriptive. Read more
Published on April 27 2004 by Linda Miehls
5.0 out of 5 stars
Did Celexa do it?
At the beginning Lisa is depressed and lonely, working in retail although she has an MFA. She has moved to escape from her unsatisfactory family. Read more
Published on Mar 14 2004 by D. P. Birkett
3.0 out of 5 stars
It fills a space
This book was sent to me as a "must" read. With high expectations, I opened the book and finished it so quickly, I couldn't believe I had actually read it from cover to... Read more
Published on Mar 11 2004 by Michelaneous by Michele
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