Shopgirl (Narrativa Circe) (Spanish Edition) [Paperback]

Steve Martin (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Circe (February 2005)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 8422615460
• ISBN-13: 978-8422615460
• ASIN: 8477652295
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,077,676 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Well written, perverse fantasy of an old man, January 9, 2006

By 

Chris (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shopgirl (Narrativa Circe) (Spanish Edition) (Paperback)

Well written, perverse fantasy of an old man, January 9, 2006
Reviewer: W. Seal (Nevada City, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Well, the book is a good piece of writing, and I suppose tries to make a contribution to something... but what that something might be escapes the reader. As to the plot- let's see now, young woman suffering from chronic depression stuck in dead-end job at fancy department store tires of insufficent romantic relationships with duds her own age. Suave older -MUCH older- guy who could be her father or grandfather at least picks up on her and cunningly manipulates the vulnerable young woman into having sex with him whenever he wants, and also uses her as a show-off acquisition in social situations by applying faux sincerity, suave restaurant manners, and money. Meanwhile, dud young guy goes on tour with a band, reemerges late in the day as a suave, sophisticated junior version of the old man as young woman's illusory relationship with her sugar daddy crumbles. "Happy" ending for dumb putz young guy and psychologically damaged young woman with sentimental faux tristesse secretly recalled by young woman and old man, now living separate lives.

Of course, this is a "real life" situation commonly found in Steve Martin's world, I suppose, but on a human plane it's abusive and disgusting.

Decently written short piece. Not even on the same planet in terms of quality of writing, pacing, and plot as Annie Proulx's Brokeback Mountain, which just as realistically portrays the strange vagaries of the human heart, but with real humanity and compassion. Unlike Shopgirl, which can only be reflective of the fevered imagination of some jaded aging roue.