Rating: 
Summary: great, quick, incisive read
Review: short review for a short book: incredibly insightful and entertaining.....wish it was longer because I just loved Steve Martin's storytelling ....very, very funny but also very poignant in an irreverant way ...great airplane trip book!!
Rating:
Summary: Poetic
Review: In a million years I wouldn't have expected something like this from the comedian that I have enjoyed for so long. I knew he was talented as a comedian and actor but I never knew that his talent stretched to this avenue. This book is so beautifully written it reads like poetry. It isn't a long book but that doesn't cause a lack of depth in his characters. There are books out there 700 pages that don't give the depth that Shopgirl's 130 pages give you. I felt like I was watching Mirabelle live her life in 3-D as I read this. Read this book simply so that you can see this other side of one of the funniest men alive. You won't be able to help but enjoy it. I am adding this to my mental list of favorite reads.
Rating: 
Summary: The Different Side of Martin
Review: I first stumbled upon the writings of Steve Martin when I began subscribing to the New Yorker. His skill with the pen is incredible! When I learned he had written a novel(la) I couldn't wait to read it. I was surprised to find that his writing style for fiction is different from his shorter pieces. His story of Mirabelle is dark and a bit depressing. There are glimpses of classic Martin here and there. One of my favorite parts was when Ray and Mirabelle have the "no commitment" talk. It depicts perfectly the different ways men and women perceive the same speech. There were no problems per se with this book. It is just a bit odd to read such a dark piece written by the same man that brought us THE THREE AMIGOS! However, give it a shot. It is the summer, after all, and time for a little light reading.
Rating:
Summary: a short and sweet study of society
Review: The most amazing thing about this novella, which is full of meaning for a materialistic society, is that it is the realistic account of girl with girl problems and girl thoughts, being told by a male author. It's brilliant, truly. I would honestly recommend this book to someone looking for a compelling AND intellectually stimulating read. It'll only take you a couple hours to read, but when you finish you'll find yourself thinking for hours more about the commentary contained in this wonderfully short, emotional story. I doubt it will be what you expect, but it will surely NOT disappoint.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent, quick read!
Review: A wonderful, beautifully written book! The characters are well developed and the descriptions are unusual and superb. Witty and insightful, Steve Martin has certainly proven himself as a serious writter! I loved this book so much I immediately started it again just in case I missed a single word! I haven't enjoyed a book this much in years! A must read!
Rating:
Summary: Pleased, very pleased
Review: Steve Martin is an American gift to all of us. An enduring talent in comedy, drama....and literature. I was delighted with this little book. Ever since choking on Afternoons With Morrie, I have have been a little hesitatnt to pick up these short little "quick money" books. This one came well recommended. Mr. Martin's insights into the modern American culture and the kind of personalities formed by it are profound. I identified with the character Ray. Fortunately, I became sensitive to the complex subtleties of the female psyche long before 50, but I found myself reflecting with some sadness upon the hurtful mistakes I made in past relationships. Mr. Martin is able to capture the essense of both the male and female condition in a light, airy style. This is a book that you will think about when you are done with it.
Rating:
Summary: An engaging, promising first book
Review: In his first foray into fiction, Martin has managed to transcend his sardonic wit to present an intriguing story. The bits of humor are still there for the sharp-minded reader to catch, but what's compelling in this novella is the characters. Yes, some of the writing shows that Martin still can improve his style, but his ability to create an interesting character in a single paragraph is astounding. I found this book to be a very "comfortable" read, for lack of a better term. It's the kind of book that can easily draw you in on a cold, rainy afternoon and transport you to sunny L.A., into the very real mind of Mirabelle, the shopgirl of the title. Mirabelle is in her late 20s, without direction in her life, easily manipulated, and emotionally unstable. And one of my favorite things in this book is that you can argue any of those points besides her age. I couldn't help but relate to the characters that Martin presents, even when they were at some times loathsome, at others, simply pitiful. These are complex characters, real characters, characters that make you care what happens to them as you can just as easily see it happening to you. This book is worth reading for these characterizations alone, but it's how the characters act that could support a surprising amount of discussion out of a mere 130 pages. It's not by any means perfect, but certainly promising for Martin's future endeavors into printed fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Attention Shoppers: A Special in Our Book Department
Review: Steve Martin has written a superbly efficient novella, and the reading experience is like finding something of great value, belying its appearance. Shopgirl: A Novella is a story with more passion, heart, and depth of feeling than novels of greater heft. That a book by Steve Martin would be amusing is a given, but the humor here is honest and well thought out; in its inherent economical manner few words are wasted and the joke is by no means the point. Mr. Martin never wanders without purpose, we are taken along and given what we need to know so we can reflect on what we don't. Without resorting to stereotypes, the few characters are easily recognizable and accessible, but more importantly real.
Rating: 
Summary: Ridiculous
Review: This book lives up to the saying "You can't judge a book by it's cover." By all outward appearances this book seems charming and appealing. Upon closer examination however, you will find a book about the kind of people about whom no one wants to know. The storyline had great potential, and it could have been a wonderful work. Unfortunately, Mr. Martin felt he had to make his story more appealing by adding countless instances of sexual encounters. This was the only way to keep anyone remotely interested in the novella. It really could have been a wonderful, heartwarming story, but there was so much sex in it, it was impossible to see the storyline. Mr. Martin should not try again, unless he can add something more substansial to his stories in future.
Rating:
Summary: Page Turner
Review: A co-worker happened to have this book and let me read it, and I found myself thoroughly engrossed with the book. I was surprised that Steve Martin wrote it, and was pleased with the writing. It keeps you interested and I really enjoyed all the characters. There was a twist that was enjoyable too. I have to say that I would read another book by the man. He did a great job.
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