This is a tale that delves deep into the theme of loneliness.

The people in this story are in a rather chaotic state, their lives seemingly in disarray.

The setting, Los Angeles, is portrayed as a place where consumerism has reached its worst extreme.

Everywhere one looks, there are signs of a society overly focused on material possessions and instant gratification.

However, despite the overwhelming sense of loneliness that pervades their lives and the crass consumerism that surrounds them, the characters in this story do not give up.

They still yearn for and strive to make connections with others.

They search for that glimmer of hope, that moment of human connection that will bring meaning and purpose to their otherwise empty lives.

It is through their struggles and their determination to find connection that we see the true essence of the human spirit in the face of a harsh and unforgiving world.

This story serves as a reminder that even in the midst of loneliness and consumerism, there is always the possibility of finding something more, something that truly matters.

Martin has a few great turns of phrase and metaphors in this novella. However, aside from that, it is the typical shallow and man-centered drivel of straight men who imagine they can write about women.

I also left wondering if Steve Martin is autistic because this had the feel of viewing life through a glass partition. There is a keen observation, but no emotional connection.

That style, unfortunately, also gave it the effect of an immature writer imagining and co-splaying grown-up life. The writer doesn't seem to understand the emotional motivations of adults but is just mimicking the movements seen elsewhere.

Someone else described this as a lump of clay waiting to be formed, and I would agree. I can imagine the style being appealing to some. So while the cold and disconnected prose is not for me, I can't say that alone killed it. The misogyny and lack of character depth were the death knell.

If you're looking for description without emotion, this may be the novella for you.

Steve Martin is an outstanding writer and a perceptive observer of human nature. His works are filled with a unique brand of humor that is both subtle and snarky. It has a charm that keeps readers engaged and entertained from beginning to end.

His writing style is such that it allows the reader to discover new layers of meaning and humor with each reread. This particular book is no exception. It is a literary gem that invites readers to explore the depths of human nature through Martin's witty and incisive lens.

Whether you are a fan of Martin's previous works or new to his writing, this book is sure to delight and amuse. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates good literature and a good laugh. So, pick up a copy and prepare to be charmed by Steve Martin's literary prowess.

Who could have ever known that men were capable of penning chick lit? It's truly a fascinating concept. Here is a little story that delves into the life of a Neiman Marcus glove girl and her various relationships. She works in the glamorous world of high-end fashion, surrounded by luxurious gloves of all kinds. But her personal life is no less interesting. She has had her fair share of romantic entanglements, some sweet and some not so much. Through it all, she learns valuable lessons about love, friendship, and herself. This story offers a unique perspective on the often complex and exciting world of relationships, as seen through the eyes of a young woman working in the heart of the fashion industry.

Mirabelle is employed as a Glove clerk at the Neiman's department store in the mall located in L.A.

She is constantly grappling with depression and is deeply questioning her self-worth. Amidst this turmoil, two men enter the picture and pursue her with lust. There is Jeremy, a slacker, and Mr. Ray Porter, a rich playboy millionaire.

The question that looms large is whether Mirabelle can figure out who truly loves her before she gets hurt. The only way to find out is to read on.

This was the very first book that I had the pleasure of reading by the comedian/actor Steve Martin. It was a unique blend of funny and sad. One particular part that had me laughing out loud was when Jeremy attempts to have sex with Mirabelle for the first time and her cat suddenly jumps onto the bed and starts playing with his balls! LOL.

If you are a fan of Steve Martin, I highly recommend checking out this novella book. It can be found at your local library and at various places where books are sold.

One of the few times I witnessed the movie prior to reading the book.

I adored the movie (5 stars; it had beautiful cinematography and the thoughtful, provocative acting by Steve Martin, Clare Danes, and Jason Schwartzman was truly remarkable).

When I discovered that the movie was an expanded version of a novella penned by Martin, I simply had to obtain it.

However, the book only received 4 stars.

Perhaps it was because I saw the film first and the immersive cinematic experience made the book seem a bit less three-dimensional.

Or maybe the novella just had a touch less depth than what could be crammed into a feature-length film - I'm not certain.

I loved both the novella and the film, but the film edges out a little more.

Overall, it was an interesting comparison between the two mediums, and it made me appreciate the unique qualities that each one brings to the table.

Despite the differences, both the movie and the book managed to tell a captivating story that left a lasting impression on me.

I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience both and explore the nuances of each.

It goes to show that while a story can be told in different ways, the essence and the power of the narrative can still shine through.

Whether it's on the big screen or in the pages of a book, a great story has the ability to transport us to another world and touch our hearts.

And in this case, both the movie and the novella did just that.

I first came across this on a BuzzFeed list of short novels. I added it to my shelf here because it was written by a stand-up comic, and a famous one at that. This seemed like it could either be a huge success or a total disaster.

It turns out that Steve Martin really knows how to write! He definitely has a unique voice. The story is told in the present tense, with no contractions, and there is a lot of "telling." Normally, this would be considered a bad thing, and many reviewers on here seem to think so. However, in this case, the "telling" allows for little snippets of the characters' thoughts to shine through on the pages.

As for the story itself, it's fairly typical. A girl meets a guy, and an unusual relationship develops. The ending feels a bit like a deus ex machina, but it actually concludes with something that is neither overly happy nor sad. It's a good place to end the book.

Overall, Martin, the comedian, has crafted a well-written book that is not humorous but still maintains a witty voice. It's an interesting and engaging read that shows Martin's versatility as a writer.

Actor Steve Martin is widely known for his remarkable acting skills. However, it seems that he should confine himself solely to acting and refrain from ever picking up a pen to write again.

If you hold any respect for Steve Martin, I would strongly advise you against picking up this particular book. The reason being, it will most definitely alter your perception of him in a very negative way.

Just imagine, how on earth am I supposed to watch movies like Cheaper by the Dozen without making a face of disgust now? After reading this book, it's almost impossible to view him in the same light as before.

It's truly a pity that his writing has had such a detrimental impact on my impression of him as an artist.

Hirveä kirja. Fortunately, this was short. I have been amazed that a movie has actually been made from this, but perhaps it is better than the text version. Steve Martin's way of writing about people is astonishing and his portrayal of women, based on this work, is poisonous. The book is told in a kind of pseudo-distant and "clever" style, which makes the characters seem even more idiotic.

This was a book on my own shelf. I don't plan to keep it, but I also don't agree to take it to the recycling shelf to become someone else's nightmare.

I just didn't like this one as much as "The Pleasure of My Company," the other Steve Martin novel I've read.

Here are three problems with this book (in my unqualified opinion).

First, I feel like this book suffers from a "telling not showing" problem. There's an overabundance of "Mirabelle felt like..." "Jeremy thought about..." etc. It might have worked in the introduction, but it gets stale later on.

Second, brilliant moments are lost in over-writing. Steve Martin seemed to have settled down a bit by the time of "The Pleasure of My Company," but in "Shopgirl," there are times when it reads like he's channeling some nineteenth-century bourgeois novelist. In short, there is too much of "Steve-Martin-trying-to-be-someone-else" in this book, and not enough of the genuine Steve Martin that was revealed in his second book. (In fairness, this isn't a problem that a writer who wasn't already famous as a comedian would face.)

Third, there's my personal bias against Los Angeles and its "We're the Roman Empire Just Before the Fall and We Like It" attitude. Wealthy Angelinos are the stereotypical anti-Victorians, flaunting their sophistication by treating their bodies like yard tools and talking about their own sexuality like sailors on a 24-hour shore leave. There's a lot of that in this book, but I guess it's not Steve Martin's fault that it makes me want to metaphorically drive out of L.A., headed East as quickly as possible.

Overall, while "Shopgirl" has its moments, it just didn't resonate with me as much as I had hoped.

I jumped into Novellas in November a bit early here, and to my great surprise, the result was quite pleasant.

Honestly, I seriously contemplated giving this a 5-star rating. It's not flawless by any means. In fact, it's far from being perfect.

However, I already know that this is a book that I will definitely want to re-read. I'm quite confident that I'll gain even more insights from it on subsequent readings.

I think there's an abundance of things to ponder over in this story. There are people who use each other for both mutual benefit and mutual destruction. There's misplaced love and displaced love. There's also the theme of persevering through flaws, dealing with depression, exploring the meaning of sex, the demeaning of sex, ageism, sexism, and so much more.

There's just an overwhelming amount to think about and consider. Once again, it's not a perfect book, but this is a novel that should have its place in the literary world whether or not its writer is famous.

It has the power to engage readers and make them reflect on various aspects of life and human nature.

I don't think the main character had one thought in the whole book.

It seems as if the author failed to give the protagonist any depth or complexity in terms of their inner world.

The main character simply goes through the motions of the story, reacting to events rather than actively thinking and making decisions based on their own beliefs and desires.

This lack of thought makes it difficult for the reader to connect with the character on a deeper level and understand their actions and motivations.

Without a rich inner life, the main character feels flat and one-dimensional, and the story as a whole suffers as a result.

It's a shame that the author didn't take the time to develop the main character's thoughts and feelings more fully, as this could have added a great deal of interest and nuance to the narrative.

Perhaps in future works, the author will focus more on creating well-rounded characters with complex inner lives that readers can truly engage with.