A review by bethreadsandnaps
Shopgirls: A Novel by Jessica Anya Blau

3.0

 

Blau’s sophomore novel SHOPGIRLS features 19-year old Zippy, who works at the department store I. Magnin in San Franciso in 1985. This is a coming of age novel, as Zippy learns how to live on her own out of the shadow of her mother and her stepdad and figures out her career and have a relationship (although that’s a bit slapdash). 

This novel felt very breezy with little substance. It seemed like Blau aged up Mary Jane from her debut novel. Zippy is pretty naive in some ways, but a prodigy in others. Much of the novel takes place at the department store with many “shopgirls” introduced. They all go by Miss So-and-So. A lot of characters but they do get some differentiation. Zippy’s roommate Raquel is Zippy’s mentor, and quite a bit of time is spent on whether they can eat that day. They switch between eating days and non-eating days. 

There are some elements that Zippy deals with (like her suddenly-appearing father and the guy she meets) that seem very rushed. I thought MARY JANE was a much better novel, and this one disappointed me. 

➕ I really liked the chemistry among all the shopgirls. It felt like a very realistic working environment - sometimes supportive, sometimes pretty vicious. 

➖ I wanted more 1985 vibes. At many times, this felt like it took place in the 1960s or before. And then there was a reference to Bill Cosby that seemed very much from the 2010s or 2020s.  

➖ This novel felt rushed. So many strands felt incomplete or needed to be fleshed out more. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. 

It publishes May 6, 2025.