Comprises three classic works: Without Feathers, Getting Even , and Side Effects
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'It's no secret that Allen's short stories are just as entertaining and accomplished as his films... Allen's witty stories satirise contemporary society and classic modern literature in a style that is characteristically breathless, off the cuff and brilliant' OBSERVER
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Book Description
Although Woody Allen is best known for his cult movies, he is also a writer of outstanding wit and skill. Dip into this collection of fifty-two pieces for hilarity, deadpan weirdness, and some extremely outlandish ideas. Do you want to hear about the time Hitler went for a haircut? Or why Woody reveres Socrates? Have you ever wondered what would have happened if the Impressionists had actually been dentists? You can learn much about history – the piece on the invention of sandwiches is eye-opening – or modern life in this laugh-out-loud collection of thoughts, observations, diaries and stories from one of the most original minds and wonderfully comic voices of our time. ‘It’s no secret that Allen’s short stories are just as entertaining and accomplished as his films . . . Allen’s witty stories satirise contemporary society and classic modern literature in a style that is characteristically breathless, off the cuff and brilliant’ Observer
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Huck Flynn
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
This book is dangerous. It is impossible to read on a bus without frequent involuntary outbursts, strangled yelps of delight and choking fits and any attempt to suppress these will result in facial ticks, bed wetting or worse. Other passengers will stare or, concerned, try to perform the Heimlich manouevre on you (as described in the book). Allen's puckish humour is the perfect antedote to Life in General, the mock philosophic arguments and madcap situations might be right out of Sleeper or Love and Death. He lampoons many characters, institutions and traditions, deflating all that is pompous or pretentious with Groucho-like ease. The Memoir of Hitler's Barber is fantastic, the Detective Story with God as a Missing Person perfect and his story about UFO Sightings another gem but with over 50 short chapters there are too many to pick out. Even the liberally sprinkled Jewish references are funny to the uninitiated (goyim ??). There should be a copy on your bedside table (if you can do without the sleep!)
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Jason Parkes
#1 HALL OF FAME
Format:Paperback
This is a great budget collection of Allen's short pieces/stories, comprising 'Getting Even', 'Side Effects' and 'Without Feathers' (52 stories in all). For those who enjoy the 'early, funny' period- i.e. the stand up such as the 'moose' or the kidnapping, or films such as 'Take the Money & Run' there is much here.
Many of Allen's gripes and themes surface here- the student mentality he satirises in 'Annie Hall' & 'Husbands & Wives', the European novel, 'A Twenties Memory' takes the **** out of Hemingway's 'A Moveable Feast' and predicts the iconic imagery of 'Zelig' . One of the most familiar stories is 'Death Knocks'- which recurs in Allen's play 'Death' and pops up (as a reference to Bergman's 'The Seventh Seal', of course) in both 'Love and Death' and 'Deconstructing Harry'.
A lot of these pieces are succinct and laugh out loud funny, one to commute with or read last thing at night. This budget collection is vast proof that Allen is up there with the great comics and a work such as 'Retribution' predicts the world between comedy and tragedy that he has mined for several decades. A classic collection, even if it just ends up in the toilet!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
One of the funniest things I have ever read. Allen's biting satire, particularly of academic pomposity, is simply brilliant. I felt so sad when I finished it. Hope he writes more.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny or what?
You will enjoy this book if your sense of humour is slightly off the wall and you think that life is like a German joke (no laughing matter!). Read more
Published 15 months ago by Keith Tilly
4.0 out of 5 stars
great musings from a comedy legend
This book is funny throughout, although never had me in
stitches like other reviews suggest. Some of Woody's surreal
musings and quips go straight overhead, but there is... Read more
stitches like other reviews suggest. Some of Woody's surreal
musings and quips go straight overhead, but there is... Read more
Published 17 months ago by JoshSpurs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightfully absurd
I found this gem online and decided I had to buy it, since I am a huge fan of (most of) Woody Allen's movies. Read more
Published 17 months ago by ch.adamant
3.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable Read
I have to say right off that I need to be in the right mood for Woody Allen. This did give me the giggles on a number of occasions! The guy is a comic genuis no doubt about it. Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2011 by G. Darroch
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Complete Gem
I was given Side Effects many years ago by a girl I worked with and made the mistake of reading it at my desk in the office. Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2010 by Dom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious, consistent collection of early Woody Allen
If you're looking for 400-odd pages of short, witty stories and general light-hearted silliness then Woody Allen's Complete Prose is the book for you! Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2010 by Dr T
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hit and miss, but for the biggest part, a great hit!
I absolutely love Woody Allen films, so I thought it would be a good idea to check out his collection of short stories. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2010 by Whyareyouonyourowntonight
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spike Jones Plays Wagner!
Not since I first read S.J. Perelman have I come across such comic genius. Allen's ability to seduce the serious thought from the reader and then unexpectedly pull the carpet from... Read more
Published on 6 July 2007 by Mr. S. J. Wade
5.0 out of 5 stars
I have only read the first two pages...
...and it is already becoming one of the funniest things I've ever read. I picked it up today as an impulse buy at a record store for a fiver. I am ever so pleased that i did. Read more
Published on 2 May 2007 by Ms. N. Hall
5.0 out of 5 stars
A short, sweet way to read Woody Allen
This is a great way to start your reading of Woody Allen. This has some superb short stories that can't help but make you chuckle to yourself or laugh out loud. Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2006 by Spider Monkey
Listmania!
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