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?

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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!

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...

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

Great, fun read.

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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.

Funny.

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.

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

Well worth reading, beautifully and lovingly written.

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.

An interesting, artistic read

Good, fun read. Enjoyed the story.

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.

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

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