35) Shopgirl

There are a few late browsers that day, and they punctuate the tedium like drops from a Chinese water torture. Six o'clock, and she is down the stairs rather than the elevator, which can become clogged at closing time, and out onto the main floor. Several customers linger at the fragrance counter, a few in cosmetics, surprisingly light for a Friday. Mirabelle thinks the salesgirls in these departments overuse their own products, especially the lipstick. With their inclination toward the heavy application of a greasy burgundy, they look like Man Ray's disembodied lips floating over a landscape of boxed perfume.

I just finished Shopgirl by Steven Martin, and I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book this much. Funnyman Martin uses his comedian ability to pull out life's little crunchy leaves, creating a surprisingly stripped down novella that rings true on many levels. A far cry from what I expected, his phrases are infused with current culture, references to real LA locations, and all the idiosyncrasies that make life a little absurd without being outright silly.

At the same time, Martin picks up on the bigger truths and shared experiences that we can all relate to - the loneliness of a new city, the psychology of competing females, the complexity of a relationship. Take, for instance, the description of Mirabelle and Mr. Ray Porter's conversation - a classic DTR (define the relationship):

"I'm traveling too much right now," he says. In this sentence, he serves notice that he would like to come into town, sleep with her, and leave. Mirabelle believes that he is expressing frustration at having to leave town and that he is trying to cut down on traveling.

"So what I'm saying is that we should be allowed to keep our options open, if that's okay with you."

At this point, Ray believes he has told her than in spite of what could be about to the happen, they are still going to see other people. Mirabelle believes that after he cuts down on his traveling, they will see if they should get married or just go steady.

So now they have had the Conversation. What neither of them understands is that these conversations are meaningless. They are meaningless to the sayer and meaningless to the hearer. The sayer believes they are heard, and the hearer believes they are never said. Men, women, dogs, and cats, these words are never heard.

I highly recommend this book (as much as I love reading, I rarely make recommendations). It's a quick read (130 slim pages) that comes across incredibly honest and true. If you get around to reading it, let me know what you think.

Wrapping up. I realize this entry is short and more of a book review, but it's Friday and Eric, Spencer and I are going to dinner and then Exit Through the Gift Shop. Happy Friday!