Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Shopgirl

Shopgirl
Shopgirl
Author: Steve Martin
One of our country's most acclaimed and beloved entertainers, Steve Martin has written a novella that is unexpectedly perceptive about relationships and life. Martin is profoundly wise when it comes to the inner workings of the human heart. — Mirabelle is the "shopgirl" of the title, a young woman, beautiful in a wallflowerish kind of way, who wo...  more »
ISBN: 95344
Publication Date: 2000
Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 2

5 stars, based on 2 ratings
Publisher: Hyperion
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Shopgirl on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
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?
reviewed Shopgirl on
Helpful Score: 8
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.
reviewed Shopgirl on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This is a very sweet, very readable little book. I love the tone of the writing--almost like a fairy tale.
reviewed Shopgirl on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Who knew Steve Martin was such an amazing author! His inner monologue is better than many people's speeches.
reviewed Shopgirl on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
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.
Read All 83 Book Reviews of "Shopgirl"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

reviewed Shopgirl on + 3 more book reviews
Very brief - closely follows the movie. It was a nice quick read...
rolltide1al avatar reviewed Shopgirl on + 223 more book reviews
Just like the movie. Written by Steve Martin. Very good book. Fast read.
reviewed Shopgirl on + 2 more book reviews
I like this book a lot.
reviewed Shopgirl on + 27 more book reviews
Great melancholy tale from a comic genius!
reviewed Shopgirl on + 29 more book reviews
witty fast reader. fun.
reviewed Shopgirl on + 10 more book reviews
Steve Martin is a man of many talents and he can now add incredible writer to his list. A love story for anyone who's felt lost during their life.
reviewed Shopgirl on + 5 more book reviews
Quick read, I enjoyed it.
graziana avatar reviewed Shopgirl on
Delightful novella about a very well drawn female protagonist.
reviewed Shopgirl on
Overall, Shopgirl was an interesting novel; each section was important to the plot and the development of each of the individual characters. After much contemplation, I think a possible meaning of this story is that when one spends time getting to know a person, understanding their moods and personality, one become irrevocably attached to that person: they genuinely care for and love them even if they are unable to admit it to themselves. This meaning would be explained by the entirety of Mirabelle and Rays relationship: how it began, ended, etc.

The repetition of one line at the end of the book was something I found interesting; even though I am not sure I fully understand why the author chose to do this. In the middle of the novel when Mirabelle lied to her boss and chooses to enjoy an extended lunch break she sees a repulsive woman talking on her cell phone saying . . . just remember darling, it is pain that changes our lives (Martin 53). After hearing this Mirabelle cannot fathom the meaning of this sentence, as she has been in pain her whole life, and yet it remains unchanged (Martin 54). The line it is pain that changes our lives is repeated on the last page of the novel when Mirabelle is consoling Ray after he attempts to apologize for the way their relationship ended. This could be because the author wants to point out that one may not know how deeply seemingly innocent or likely to be forgotten events/occurrences may affect him/her.
reviewed Shopgirl on
Steve Martin surprises all with this entertaining novella. Well written and with emotionally deep characters, the story engages the reader from start to finish.
jeffp avatar reviewed Shopgirl on + 201 more book reviews
Chick-lit, but written by a man this time. Predictable, zero character development, and basically pointless. It's a shame, really, as Steve Martin really is bright. Oh well.
reviewed Shopgirl on + 38 more book reviews
touching and poetic
reviewed Shopgirl on + 27 more book reviews
This is an interesting story of the ups and downs of falling in and out of love. Mirabelle, the heroine, struggles to find out who she really is in the course of finding out who she loves. Steve Martin is the author. I love his movies, but his writing isn't quite as funny. I bet it's not supposed to be, but I was a little disappointed.


Genres: