Getting Even

This is a first collection of Woody Allen's early articles that appeared in various New York publications in the 1960's. They are hit and miss, but mostly hits. A Woody Allen movie fan will recognize his parodies of intellectual pretension and his continuing obsessions with death, metaphysics, and religion.Allen is a master of parody. The pseudo-intellectual silliness in the review of "The Metterling Lists" and the life of the Earl of Sandwich in "Yes, But Can the Steam Engine Do This?" are laugh-out-loud hysterical. "Conversations with Hemholz" is a lesser light about one of the alleged founders of psychoanalysis and the petty rivalries that tickle the funny bone. "Schmeed's Memoirs" about the top Nazi barber is a miss.The "Hassidic Tales" are also top-rate Allen on display. The interpretations of rabbinical misfits by his "noted scholar" are wonderfully absurd justifications for equally absurd behavior. His "Death Knocks" is a weak first encounter with one of his most famous and laughable fears.The other pieces in the collection from chess-by-mail to encounters with Hemingway, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas all have their moments. One can foresee the germination of "Bananas" in "Viva Vargas" and "Play it Again, Sam" in "Mr. Big." Curiously, in this volume sex takes a holiday since there are no pieces on his second greatest obsession next to death.If you are an Allen fan this small volume is well worth buying at the price for which it is now selling. Since it is a collection of separate pieces you also have the luxury of reading each in any order at any time. I enjoyed reading early Woody, not only for the laughs but also for a view of the potential that would make him a legend later.

According to the aliens in  Stardust Memories  this is exactly what we need. This is the first collection of Woody's pieces for the New Yorker magazine, from 1966-1971. For me, this was the first truly inspired, laugh out loud funny collection of writings I had ever read. It was a revelation to me as to just how funny the written word could be. This book sets up the framework for the brilliantly funny  Without Feathers  and  Side Effects . I recently re-read all three books and was astounded to discover just how timeless they are -- each book displaying Woody's tremendous talent as a writer and his unsurpassed imagination. This book led the way for every great comedic writer working today, from Steve Martin to Jon Stewart to Demetri Martin. I cannot recommend this book high enough.

This was fairly short but very entertaining read. It is the usually quick-witted and quercky early Woody Allen most people know and appreciate. It is a collection of short stories, unrelated in topic. He loves absurd references and off the wall comparisions and they make for a few laugh out loud moments. I recommend this book to anyone who likes off-the-wall writing and comedy with some intellectualism thrown in to the mix. This is early Allen, written before many of his biggest movies came out also.

Next up the current autobiography. Woody Allen has not changed much in all the years, which is a good thing. Rare.

As a fan of Woody Allen movies I was excited to get my hands on his written work for the first time. Unfortunately his humor that I enjoyed on film did not transfer over to his written work. Through the entire book I caught myself chuckling once maybe twice at the most during his essay on Hitler's Barber. Otherwise I finished this book with a frown and a huge question mark looming over my head. I do believe Woody was making an attempt to be funny in this book but he didn't come through for me. The "humor" was so dry it was brittle like a bread crumb that had been sitting out all night. Maybe old old schoolers will get it.If you want a fun book to read that will make you laugh maybe try Larry David or David Brenner ?

I love everything about his work.

Enjoyed reading many of Woody Allen's funny comments about his movies, and the movie stars he worked with. As a new Yorker I can relate to his superstitions, and his observations, of how couples. build themselves up, before tearing each other apart, when dating, often leading to marriage, and then the routine, starts again........

Reading this is like participating in Allen's creative process since many of the short sketches here are reminiscent of scenes from Allen's earlier films. Very funny stuff that had me laughing out loud. However it's best to read this and imagine Woody Allen's voice is telling the stories, it makes them even funnier. Not all of the sketches work as well as others but when he's on the sketches are hysterical. A very short collection of Woody Allen shorts.

good

Great

This was not the book I thought it was, however that is my fault. I find Woody Allen a funny and odd character....sometimes he makes me laugh and sometimes he males me wonder, wonder is good though! You have to like his sense of humour and his silly self. I read one of his books years ago and lost it so I will keep searching, it had me in tears of laughter.

Come contenuti già l'avevo letto in italiano quindi l'ho preso sul sicuro. Un po' striminzito nelle dimensioni, è proprio un'edizione economica, comunque carina.

Funny as hell. Not only is Allen a comic genius, he is a great writer.