There are so many things I loved about this novel! The detached, almost clinical tone in which the story is narrated, the sharp eye used in evaluating the complexities of a man-woman relationship, the discussion of depression, the happy, soft ending... Steve Martin is a very talented actor, but he is a much, much better writer. Do you know he is also a banjo virtuoso?

This is, in my opinion, a perfect example of a novel where you have endearing characters that you will love despite their shortcomings. Nothing is hidden, but the naked reality and truthfulness of Mirabelle, Ray, Jeremy, and yes, even the bitcharoony Lisa, made them unforgettable to me. I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again: there is nothing more endlessly fascinating than human nature, and this is what I look for in a book. This one gets a TEN!

This is a Wish List ray. I did a search on Cliff's list and you are the ones who replied back.

Ray order:

Beckerbuns (CA) MAILED SEPTEMBER 26, 2005
Jenn7747 (CA)
WordyOne (WI)
AmberMoon (NY)
BigEyes (CT)
SlicKitty (MD)

The book is fairly short, 130 pages i think. You should be able to read it fast, say, in 3 or 4 weeks (although the sooner you can pass it on the better: patience is not my best virtue, and i am dying to read what you have to say!)

Please PM the person after you for a mailing address. I have set an order that makes most sense, flying East. This book is going to cover almost 3000 miles in its journey.

Thank you for participating!

Arrived in the mail yesterday! I will read this one as soon as I finish the book I'm in the middle of. Shouldn't be too long. Thanks for including me!!!

10/27/05 I finished the book today. I'm sorry it took so long; it seems school got in the way more than I thought it would. I've PMd the next person and I'll ship the book today or tomorrow hopefully -- as soon as I hear from her. I liked the book, though parts of it rang true with me, and in a good way. :( Still, it was good. I can't wait to see the movie!!!

Rec'd in the mail. Will try to read this weekend and get it back out there ;)

I cleaned my room last night as I procrastinated studying for finals and found this book. I'm sorry I've held onto it so long without actually reading it. I've PM'd the next person on the list and will mail it off as soon as I hear back. Sorry again to hold up the ring.

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed to the next person in the ray. Sorry for the hold up!

It arrived here today! Thanks, Jenn7747 for sending it so quickly! I'll read it over the next few days and send it on its way!

A touching and memorable book, with wonderful character studies that rang true and were shown in all their complexities. The ending was perfect - not trite and not neat, but with a feeling of lives moving on, unpredictable and ultimately sweet.

Sent to AmberMoon on 12/24/05

Returned home from a trip to Boston to find this in my mailbox.
Yay! I loved the movie and have heard that the book is even better.
I will finish the book I am currently reading quickly and then pass it along.

Thanks!

I really enjoyed this story and wished that I had read it before seeing the movie. As usual, the movie just didn't do the story justice. In the book I understood why Mirabelle chose who she did in the end. In the movie I was kind of unsettled by her decision. Also, Lisa was all wrong in the film.
Steve Martin wittily fleshes out a story of some very familiar character types. We've all known someone at least similar to Ray Porter. Mirabelle also represents so many struggling adults; wayward after college ends, confused, empty, sinking.
I am glad to have been a part of this bookring.

Sending to BigEyes.

This is a good story. As I started to read it, I didn't expect to be drawn in as I was. By the half-way mark I was hooked. It comes to a close pretty well; doesn't leave you hanging. Well worth the read.

I guess I'm the last on the list, so if you've been waiting to flesh out your thoughts, based on me, unleash!

I liked the book. I didn't love the book. It was a wonderful, lazy read. I was impressed that Steve Martin (on whom I've always had a crush) was so insightful.

One of the things that really left me hanging, however, was - what happened to Dad? That tidbit really bugged me. I thought Martin didn't make the tie between Mirabelle's choice of dating Ray Porter an obvious parallel to the loss of her father's attentions.

As stated by others, the characters were particularly charming, identifiable and endearing. They were everyday heroes, and the book was loveable because of their vulnerabilities.

(P.S. After watching The Three Amigos, I'm not surprised to find out that Martin is a banjo virtuoso. I believe the actors actually sang and played their own music in the movie.)

I would love to have made "release into the wild" notes, but by the time I got back to do the notes, the book was gone.
I released it at a Subway restaurant on Greensboro Drive, in McLean, VA. It was gone when I left.
I like to release my books "Mission Impossible" style - that is, without being seen. Dunt-dunt-dun-dah, Dunt-dunt-dun-dah! Dunilah - Dunilah - Dunilah, DUN-DAH!