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Shopgirl
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Shopgirl
Author: Steve Martin

Book Information
Publisher: Theia
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780786885688 - ISBN-10: 0786885688
Publication Date: 9/5/2001
Pages: 130


Other Versions of this Book: Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Audio CD (Unabridged), Hardcover, Hardcover

Book Description:
The national bestseller -- now available in paperback!

With more than 340,000 copies in print, Steve Martin's 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.


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Genres:

Top Member Book Reviews

Courtney Z. wrote on 8/29/2007...

9 member(s) found this review helpful.

I read this book after I saw the movie. Oh, how I wish I hadn't. Steve Martin is a genious! This book has such eloquent observations and economy of phrasing...it's as if each sentence is a bite of the most delicious thing you've ever eaten, and you just don't want to finish chewing it. I can't say enough about how much I loved this book. Timeless themes, modern sensibilities, and beautiful writing: what more could a modern reader want from a modern novel?

Holly B. wrote on 5/1/2007...

7 member(s) found this review helpful.

I read this book after seeing the movie, looking for an explanation of some questions I had after seeing it. It did a good job answering my questions.

I was surprised and impressed by Steve Martin as a writer. It was an engaging read, written smartly with eloquent passages. I consider myself to have a broad and extensive vocabulary, but I found three words I had to look up. Pleasantly surprising for someone with a love of words :)

Overall, a bittersweet story, though -- with a good dose of truth and a great look into a man's psyche.

Rachelle W. (no1auntie) wrote on 7/14/2007...

5 member(s) found this review helpful.

The book is short enough that I thought I could burn through it in a couple of days. Not so - I kept falling asleep, so it took almost a week. I was bored and couldn't connect with either of the characters. I felt sorry for Mirabelle, but thought the rest of 'em could use personality overhauls of the Get-a-Clue type.

Kelly M. wrote on 3/17/2007...

5 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is a very sweet, very readable little book. I love the tone of the writing--almost like a fairy tale.

Alyssa G. (Ajacks) wrote on 4/18/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Who knew Steve Martin was such an amazing author! His inner monologue is better than many people's speeches.

Lena C. (nlgmcr69) wrote on 4/14/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Not action packed, but a good read that really looks at the minds and emotional sides of the characters. I found myself enjoying it more and more each character became more concrete.

M.M. S. (TheBookWife) wrote on 7/20/2007...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

I blow air kisses to this novella. So light and lovely, airy and fine.

The movie is actually equally as good.

Steve Martin? Who knew!

Christine W. wrote on 2/15/2009...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

I love Steve Martin's style - although nothing like shopgirl herself, I felt like I was inside her head and could feel what she was feeling. He runs quickly through parts that deserve a quick explaination and takes the time to explain others that are worth reading every word to get into the characters and relationship dynamics. I heard that the movie was good as well and can see Clair Daines in the lead role...very excited to see it...

Amber S. (ladyamber28) wrote on 5/26/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Surprisingly good. Quick read. Not very light-hearted but rings with truth. I enjoyed it.

Christy D. wrote on 3/30/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Great, fun read.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Theresa V. wrote on 8/30/2009...


A beautiful little book with heartbreaking characters. The story focuses on Mirabelle ("see beauty"), a depressed waif who works in the little-used glove department at a big department store. In her spare time, she talks to her cat and draws beautiful, brooding portraits that she keeps to herself. She meets Ray Porter who comes to her counter and has her select a pair of gloves for "a woman" that end up being herself. ("Ray" being a mathematical term, and "Porter" -- someone who guards a doorway -- to himself? Someone who carries baggage?) Their relationship is based on mutual attraction, longing for connection, and mostly what doesn't get said between the two of them. As you'd expect, there are clever moments of humor. A nice read with a hopeful ending.

Linda P. wrote on 8/18/2009...


Funny.

Brenna B. (demiducky25) wrote on 12/27/2008...


It was a pretty good read, but throughout the whole thing I kept thinking "ewww Steven Martin can have a dirty mind sometimes!" :-P It was about a young woman who was trying to figure out who she is, her former (later current) boyfriend who was a slacker and found himself after landing a great job, and the older man in her life who doesn't know what kind of relationship he wants with her.

Kaitlin L. (ApathyVictories) wrote on 6/25/2008...


A quick read, I read this on a two hour plane ride. Well written and interesting.

Kate H. wrote on 1/11/2008...


Well worth reading, beautifully and lovingly written.

(mimibottoms) wrote on 12/29/2007...


Quirky little book about a stagnant, depressed young woman, Mirabelle, as she tries to navigate her life, understand her past, and look to a future. She begins a relationship with an older, richer man, Mr. Ray Porter who, in many ways, is just as lost as she. I found this book to be more sexual than I thought it would be... not too graphic though. I did enjoy the story and character development... it's description of Mirabelle's depression is poignant.

Rebekah C. (rebekahlynnc) wrote on 2/27/2007...


An interesting, artistic read

Jennifer T. wrote on 1/21/2007...


Good, fun read. Enjoyed the story.

Debbie R. (readingfool) wrote on 1/16/2007...


Mirabelli is the "shopgirl" of the title, a young beautiful woman in a wallflowerish kind of way, who works behind the glove counter at Neiman Marcus. Mirabelle captures the attention of Ray Porter, a wealthy businessman twice her age. As they tentatively embark on a relationship, they struggle to decipher the language of love and consequences that are both comic and heartbreaking. Filled with witty discerning observations.

Jessica N. (jsn1582) wrote on 12/11/2006...


A beautiful book, very internal. Much better than the movie!


Book Wiki
Common Title
Series
Original Publication Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
People/Characters
Mirabelle (Primary Character)
Mr. Ray Porter (Primary Character)
Jeremy (Major Character)
Fictional Places
Important Events
Awards and Honors