Shopgirls: A Novel

(Hardback)

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Description

From the author of the delightful (New York Times Book Review)Mary Jane, a new novel of found family, growing up, and the best and worst of the 1980s, revolving around San Franciscos most exclusive department store, I. Magnin.

Nineteen-year-old Zippy can hardly believe it: shes the newest and youngest salesgirl at I. Magnin, San Franciscos Finest Department Store. Every week, she rotates her three spruced-up Salvation Army outfits and Vaseline-shined pumps; still, shes thrilled to walk those pumps through the employee entrance five days a week as she saves to buy something new. For a girl who grew up in a one-bedroom apartment above a liquor store with her mother and her mothers madcap boyfriend, Howard; a girl who wanted to go to college but had no help in figuring out how; I. Magnin represents a real chance for a better and more elegant life. Or, at the very least, a more interesting one.

Zippy may not be in school, but shes about to get an education that will stick with her for decades. Her fellow salesgirls (lifetime professionals) run the gamut from mean and indifferent to caring and helpful. The cosmetics ladies on the first floor share both samples and advice (only date a man with a Rolex); and her new roommate, Raquel, an ambitious lawyer, tells Zippy she can lose ten pounds easy if she joins Raquel in eating only every other day. Just when Zippy thinks shes getting a handle on how to be an adult woman in 1985, two surprises threaten both her sense of self and her coveted position at I. Magnin.

Set in the Day-Glo colors of 1980s San Francisco,Shopgirlsis an intoxicating novel of self-discovery, outrageous fashion, and family both biological and found.

Reviews

A 19-year-old shopgirl comes of age in the charming latest from Blau Zippy is a delightful character, and its a joy to watch her find herself Readers will be smitten with this totally 80s romp. Publishers Weekly Vintage-loving fashionistas will eat this one up. Oprah Daily A quirky fairy tale with a vibrantly realized setting and a wonderfully outrageous twist. Kirkus Reviews

Author Bio

Jessica Anya Blauwas born in Boston and raised in Southern California. Her novels have been translated into many different languages and have been featured on TheTODAYShow,Good Morning America,CNN, and NPR, and inCosmo,Vanity Fair,Bust,Time Out, Oprah Summer Readsand other national publications. Jessicas short stories and essays have been published in numerous magazines,journals, and anthologies. Jessica co-wrote the script forLove on the Runstarring Frances Fisher and Steve Howey. She sometimes works as a ghost writer and hastaught writing at Johns Hopkins University,Goucher College, and TheFashion Institute of Technology. Jessica lives inNew York.