Product Description: Daniel Cambridge is a thirty-three year old compulsive-obsessive. He knows the exact wattage of the bulbs in his flat, and will panic if the wattage isn't kept constant. This makes it difficult if a woman wants the lights out in the bedroom. He can't cross the street unless two opposing driveways break the kerb. Such characteristics make it difficult for Daniel to find the right woman, but he's very keen on Elizabeth who's selling the flats across the street and Zandy who works in the local pharmacy (though he's yet to actually speak to her). There's also the murder of Bob from downstairs. Daniel has an alibi but is still a suspect, and his agreeing to a TV reconstruction of the murder inquiry could well backfire. It might also jeopardise Daniel's chances of winning the Most Average American competition which he's entered (twice). In Daniel Steve Martin has created a highly original, memorable character and THE PLEASURE OF MY COMPANY will extend his unique writing gifts to an even wider audience.
Amazon.com Review: Readers expecting something zany, something crudely humorous from Steve Martin's second novel, The Pleasure of My Company, will discover much greater riches. While the book has a sense of humor, Martin moves everywhere with a gentler, lighter touch in this elegant little fiction that verges on the profound and poetic.
Martin's craftsmanship is remarkable. The tightly packed novella paints rich portraits with restraint and balance, including nothing extraneous to Daniel's world. The book does not try for pyrotechnics but is contented with a Zen-like simplicity in both prose and plot. Avoiding the crushing bleakness of much contemporary fiction, Martin insists through Daniel--a man haunted by horrors of his own making--that there is possibility for compassion, that broken lives can actually be healed. --Patrick O'Kelley
Quirky, touching, fun wordplay This is in first person from the point of view of a highly original character. His OCD-like behavior limits his contact with the outside world, so he spends much time thinking unusual and funny thoughts and planning ways to meet a woman despite the fact that he can't cross the street, except at driveways across from each other. The story is his journey toward making real connections with other people, and it is funny, touching and original. Much more fun than "Shopgirl."
OK, I GUESS It's a fun, interesting read while passing time on the bus or in the doctor's office. I suppose I would call it 'comfort reading' to help pass the time, and easy to pick up whatever page you were on. I expected more from Steve, but then maybe my expectations are too high after "Shopgirl," which I found insightful and profound as to what happened to the young lady. The protagonist in this little novel left me torn between sympathy and laughter - it must be hell worryng about curbs and being out in public. The ending seemed like it was created to meet a deadline - too fast and unbelieveable. Worth reading for me in two medical visits - would I recommend it to others? Probably not - not one of my favorites by any means - average attempt. I left it on the hospital bench for the next interested reader.
A story of a neaurotic man capable of great tenderness This book was mentioned in the tape "Funny Numbers" published by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI). Steve Martin and Robin Williams converse with Bob Osserman, the Special Projects Director of MSRI. Martin speaks about Daniel Pecan Cambridge, the main character in this book and his passion for creating elaborate magic squares. My viewing of that tape is what led me to this book. Cambridge is a man whose neuroses are borderline psychotic, not because any one of them is that bad, but due to the large number of them. For example, the total wattage of all the light bulbs in his apartment must have a specific sum, he views normal roadside curbs as difficult obstacles and he lies easily in order to say what he thinks people want to hear. Martin's prose is not what you expect if you have seen his movies, there is a simplistic tenderness in Cambridge's dealings with others, in particular with Teddy, the infant son of Clarissa, the student who was studying him at the beginning of the book. When Clarissa's ex-husband turns violent and she needs a place to stay, Cambridge takes them in. He serves as the babysitter when Clarissa is in her classes. All through this, he makes no attempt to engage her sexually, even though they share an apartment. It is a fundamental tenderness between a man, woman and a child rarely seen in literature. Martin is to be commended for his handling of the situation and for not having it become sexually charged for the sake of the sexual charge. There is a happy ending that is fairly formulaic in the sense that Cambridge finally encounters the right woman for him. As the elderly woman who lived in our neighborhood when I was a youth was fond of saying, "There is a Jack for every Jill."
Wild and Crazy OCD Guy! The Pleasure of My Company is a funny novella by famed comedian Steve Martin. Who can forget the arrow in the head and the King Tut song. Now in his 60's, Martin is pursuing other outlets with novels and plays. This is the first of his novels that I have read and I plan to take on the others. I highly recommend the audio version, where Martin reads with great precision, and without the un-neccesary drama and voices for the supporting characters.
Our protanganist Daniel Pecan Cambridge has many phobias and compulsions. He lives alone in a forlorn Santa Monica apartment, trapped by his fear of curbs, unbalanced lighting, and anything not ironed. He is simultaneously pursuing several women, including his social worker, his pharmacist, an aspiring actress/neighbor, and a realtor. None of this is going anywhere, loneliness and despair are becoming more prominent.
Then Cambridge has several life-enhancing experiences. He writes two of the best essays in a contest sponsored by a frozen pie company, he inadvertently becomes part of the life of a one year old boy, and he has several casual encounters with the realtor and the pharmacist. A trip home to Texas starts things changing and ultimately Cambridge sheds and transfers his obsessions.
This is a good read, funny yet meaningful. I recommend it for a day at the beach.
Cute story - great read What a cute story about a "challenged" 28, 33, 37(?) year old man who learns life (in its broadest meaning) by human interaction. It's a transformation from a scared, lonely individual to a social, loving and loved man.
In addition to a great story, it is written in a very humorous and skeptical at times way.
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