Kim
Rating:
Review
Yes, the author is
that Steve Martin: comedian, actor, and playwright. In this novella, main character Mirabelle is single and college educated, yet works at the glove counter at Neiman Marcus in Los Angeles. She is also an artist. She meets Jeremy, who is close to her same age and after fumbling with him for a short time, meets and begins dating a Mr. Ray Porter, a much older and wealthy business man. Ray is very analytical in his search for the perfect woman, and thinking he has found most of what he is looking for in Mirabelle, begins a sad courtship of her. Jeremy enters back into the story later on, which I was glad to read, and the story takes some appealing turns. Mr. Martin's style of writing is crisp and matter-of-fact, and at 130 pages, a very enjoyable and quick story.
Best Line:
"Mirabelle is not fooled by any such third date rule, and she explains to Jeremy that she cannot conceive of any way their Laundromat encounter, or any encounter involving the thumb-up sign, can be considered a date."
Jennifer
Rating:
Review
The main character, Mirabelle sells gloves at a Neiman Marcus counter, a painfully boring, yet comforting job for her. She also has a college degree and is a talented artist, which comes as an afterthought to her, and not something to pursue career-wise. Mirabelle is also a depressed woman, with low self-esteem and the luck of being smart enough to know it. Her depression seems to keep her from having very much drive until a few key relationship experiences jump-start her will to succeed and find some semblance of happiness. After she meets Mr. Ray Porter, Mirabelle's life changes forever. And his life, as well. Through awkwardly caring yet painful experiences, they grow into new, more mature people at the end of their relationship. This maturity seems to enable them to move on and find more healthy and fulfilling relationships after their two-year encounter. Steve Martin (yes, THE Steve Martin – the actor) has the gift of being able to put sometimes not-so-pretty insight about human behavior into written word. This book is an interesting, short read that will make you pause and think about relationships between men and women.
Best Line:
"…..just remember, darling, it is pain that changes our lives."
