princessponti

Hello and Welcome to the forum!!

Hi Fiona!! Welcome to the forum!

I found out yesterday that they are playing Glastonbury, so FINALLY I will see them too

...a little disjointed review, but I'd rather post it than not as it's not getting improved while it lingers away on my hard drive!!!.... Shopgirl – Steve Martin Hyperion, New York; 2000 ISBN: 1-4013-0827-9 Steve Martin, comedy actor, pulls a surprise out of the bag with his touching novella, Shopgirl. The name ‘Steve Martin’ conjures up images of slapstick moments, hilarious gurning and perfect comedy timing; not penetrating insights into the soul and delicate melancholy which this story delivers in abundance. Not knowing anything of Steve Martin the person and only judging him on his movies, it was an unexpected pleasure to read this book. This contemporary tale follows Mirabelle, a lowly shop assistant working in the almost forgotten glove department of a major department store in Los Angeles. Mirabelle is not a traditional heroine, she has a very quiet life, no real friends, two cats (only one of which will socialise with her) and she struggles to keep depression at bay. She has an interest in art and draws dark etchings from time to time, and even manages to sell a few to local galleries. The highlight of her week is when there is an opening at a gallery and she can spend a few hours outside of her normal life, being the kind of person that she wants to be. Mirabelle’s life is uneventful, unexciting and unchanging, that is, until Mr Ray Porter makes her the object of his desire. Martin submerges the reader deep into Mirabelle’s world; we hear the narration not only of our heroine’s life, but also from the perspective of other key players; which gives a well rounded understanding of each character’s motivations and failings. I found the perception of beauty to be a long running theme throughout Shopgirl. Being set in Los Angeles, Martin often compares the mystery and allure of a natural beauty (Mirabelle) against the seduction of cosmetically enhanced women, with the latter often shown to have the weaker attraction of the two. Mirabelle encompasses the appeal of subtlety; she has a number of admirers for whom a well put together outfit or an unnoticed glimpse of supposed to be hidden flesh will peak their desire and maintain their interest. This unassuming attraction is in direct opposition to Lisa, a sexual predator and rival Shopgirl at the department store. Lisa has an enhanced appearance and preens her assets into the most desirable manifestation she can conjure, in order to snare the attraction of everyman in the room. She uses her beauty and sexual prowess as an instrumental tool in becoming the epitome of lust which, to her, increases her personal worth and substantiates her existence. In a world where perfection is revered, are we correct to idolise the enhanced? Steve Martin provides an accurate commentary on personality traits, exploring insecurities and desires. The over-riding feeling that I got from this book was not to let depression be a barrier to your hopes and dreams. I found Shopgirl to be a surprising and insightful read, and one which I would pick up again if I need a little inspiration. It seems there is more to this zany comedian than meets the eye! Things to discuss if you've read it and are willing! :

Hello Frida and welcome to the forum!! I love Midsummer Nights Dream, it's the only Shakespeare play that I've really paid attention to (apart from Romeo and Juliet at school). I've seen it about four times now (and again in July!) - would recommend it as it is a magical play! ..Royal Tanebaums (can't spell it!) is a great movie!! B)

I did that with titantic! Glad I'm not alone!! (my friends all ran off in the cinema rather than be seen with the great blubbing idiot - the swines!)

Thanks again Paula! ...I can post you my copy if you like? pm me your address and I'll launch it in your direction! ...maybe I can have my first forray into the world of book crossing!

Thanks Paula It's great that you preferred Eldest Louise! ..I'm now looking forward to reading it even more!!!!

I can only manage one at a time, I don't think there is space in my head for any more than that!!

The Mermaid Chair

Thanks Lilywhite .. Saphira is fantastic, I love her sense of humour!

Eragon

I've just finished Eragon, and I HOPE you haven't just spoilt the next book for me feeling very grumpy right now! I guess I won't know for sure until I finish Eldest too

Hi Carm!! Welcome to the forum!!

G'day Sally!!! (Neighbours taught me all that I know about Oz ) - welcome to the forum!!!!

I haven't read Villette but I do struggle with the classics. I love reading them, but I do find the language hard going. I really need the space to concentrate, not books to read on tube journeys! - so I can sympathise with you! I takes me a good half hour of really quiet, uninterupted reading to get into the flow of the language before I can really take anything in!

You are a sneaky one!! ...Do you think that'll work for shoes too?

I love the Secret Garden, such a wonderful book! Wow.. so cheap for new books, it's great to get a bargain - was this special just for Easter? Hope I haven't missed (not that I'm allowed to shop - Johnny's banned me till pay day )

Some of the movies that have made me cry the most (by this I mean long after after the credits have rolled, and maybe into the next week..) are as follows: Titanic Legend of the Fall Finding Nemo Star Wars Episode III Life is Beautiful ..I'm sure there are loads more, but they are the ones that really stand out, they really made my heart ache!

A little harsh! I don't want a pox!!! ...I only mistreat them a little, and it's only out of love!

Amy! You have to read this...it's so gosh darn cute!! I loved it

I have the mermaid chair awaiting to be read over there!!

I aim to start Jonathan Strange on Saturday (have to start again since it's been a year since I last picked it up!!).. hurrah for the online support service; thanks Kell!!

...hey...it's still February you know, we still have things to discuss!! (not that I've been on this thread either!). - where are you answers Paula, you said they were great! It's good to have other perspectives on the book, there are no right and wrongs! Be bold and stick em up for us all to see! xx Amy, the scene you were speaking about above, where Vladek was racist himself was awful to read. I'm amazed that he hadn't thought about things and learnt some compassion. ...it seems I'm too tired!! Bah!! Will write more tomorrow

I don't know these books, but the author's name makes me think of Cathleen Kelly in the movie 'You got mail' (all time favourite feel better movie). Are the books anything like this movie? ..if so, I'll read them!!