"The Pleasure of My Company" by Steve Martin

As the back of the book out-rightly says, "Daniel Pecan Cambridge, 30, 35, 38, or 27, depending on how he feels that day, is a young man whose life is rich and full, provided he never leaves his Santa Monica apartment." Told in Steve Martin's unmistakable humor, "The Pleasure of my Company" follows the (rather tame) adventures of Daniel Pecan Cambridge - aptly named due to his family's heritage in the nut industry. He is a young(ish) man with grandiose ideas and concepts floating throughout his head regarding just about everything around him (including his actual personage).

His greatest fears include curbs, misaligned scooped out driveways, and gas station attendants wearing blue hats. He's that kid in class who had to have his pencils lined up in just the right way and ate his lunch in a particular, unshakable order. He's a pleasant, albeit strange, man with a monthly allowance and a huge ability for numbers and counting. His romantic interests overwhelm him easily, but, overall, he wants to do the right thing.

"The Pleasure of My Company" proved an interesting read. When it starts, you're listening to Steve Martin. At least for me, I saw Martin, himself, walking through the aisles of Cambridge's beloved Rite Aid (which, truly, has all you'd ever need!), and that image persisted until the last page. During the starting chapters, while you're getting to know Daniel, Martin's humor flies freely in a successful attempt to establish the protagonist as merely "odd" and not "off-putting". It begins to subside slightly towards the middle and end, which is a bit sad, since he is so funny and you begin to look forward to his almost ceaseless quips. Still, the novella keeps its (mostly) jovial and light tones, and, by the end, provides a nice, warm feeling along side of the expected life lessons.

The ending of the book is, sadly, a bit clipped after the careful, extensive observations provided in the first half or so. Still, all the ends are tied and you're not left feeling as if you've been slighted your proper goodbyes to the characters you've come to enjoy.

This is, truly, a character-driven story. In fact, I'm hard-pressed to think of another book I've read in recent history packed with more character development. By the end of the novel, there is a genuine sense of going on a long journey with Daniel Cambridge, despite his decided inability to comfortably confront a curb.

I give "The Pleasure of My Company" by Steve Martin a happy 4/5 stars.
It's a lovely book, and I would (and have) recommend it to a friend. I hope you'll check it out if it seems like something you'd like on your shelf.