Book Reviews of The Pleasure of My Company

A very enjoyable book with a very likeable character. This book is both sad and funny, light and heartwarming. I'm glad I read it. It was a "pleasure" to meet Daniel.

This is the second book I've read by Steve Martin. I thought Shopgirl was beautiful & poetic. The Pleasure of My Company is a close second. It took me a little bit to get through the first pages but once I did, it greatly intrigued me. The main character is complex, yet very human.

Great portrayal of a character disabled by neurotic and compulsive behavior, much more satisfying than "The Incident of the Dog..." in that regard. Poignant and bittersweet, but in with a plausible happy ending. I have been a fan of Martin's writing long before "Shopgirl" (anybody else remember "Cruel Shoes"?) and he never disappoints!

An interesting look into the life of a man challenged by his own psyche and striving to expand his small world if only one step off the curb at a time ~ Steve Martin is an interesting author who's writing is unlike any other ~ he revels in writing the vulnerable underbelly of a character and as always, can make you laugh out loud. I loved Shop Girl and I really enjoyed The Pleasure of My Company.

It is difficult for me to explain why I liked this book. There was just something very innocent about it, which I found refreshing.

Steve Martin may be widely known as an actor, but he has the soul of a writer. After reading Shopgirl (and having my spirit sufficiently rocked by it) I knew I had to find another novella written by him to see if it was a fluke.

It wasn't.

The Pleasure of My Company is, again, a wonderful piece. The protagonist, Daniel, is a man of many obsessions. He is very much trapped by himself and his obsessions that restrict crossing the street and sleeping and everything else in his life. Martin is a master of characterization, continually proving that he can build believable and complex characters that people WANT to read about. To watch Daniel interact with the world and people around him is a treat, not only because he is funny in his quirkiness, but because he is a sympathetic character that you find yourself genuinely rooting for. When you close the book, I promise you will do so with a smile.

This novella is beautiful in its effortless simplicity; it is poignant and witty. It remains the only book that I have bought multiple copies of just to send around to friends.

Very funny and quirky book!

Funny at times. A good look into a fragile person's life.

Very fast read and compellingly interesting portait of an extremely neurotic man trying to deal with the people & things around him. Contains humor, wit, & pathos. I love Steve Martin's writing!

Strange novel, but entertaining, and it so much reminds me of someone that I know. An easy read, thought-provoking and humorous at the same time.

I just finished listening to the audio version of this book with my son last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. Steve Martin did a fine job with a complex emotional life and a bit of humor.

Though you're never quite sure which mental maladies the main character truly identifies with (possibly all), you're always entertained by Steve Martin's ability to draw a complete, human & intimate picture of him - & the other characters who bring color to his life & challenge him (mostly unwittingly) to be & do more than simply identify with his illness(es). This was quick, fantastic reading - almost too much so. Once I was done, I wanted to read it again. The guy grows on you!!! It didn't hurt that I was intimately familiar w/the setting, but I think anyone can enjoy this book - if they enjoy a great twist of phrase, honest dialogue & the notion of getting inside someone else's head.

An interesting read though it seems a little odd at times. I was hoping it would be funnier, though there were amusing moments.

Enjoyable story about a "nice guy" with some interesting quirks. Steve Martin does a good job making the main character accessible, instead of thinking "wow, what a wierd guy" I instead wanted him to succeed and be happy.

This is a great read!

Very funny book.

This was a nice, quick read...I love Steve Martin!!

Funny!

This is written by Steve Martin (yes, the actor). It was a nice read. Different from what I usually read (Koontz, King, etc). The main character was great.

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