Side Effects

I know that "The Kugelmass Episode" gets a lot of attention--and rightfully so; it's fantastic--but "Retribution" is definitely one of the best short stories I've ever read. It was hilarious, full of the one liners and wit that Woody excels at, but it was also extremely heartfelt and beautifully written. It's such a complete piece of fiction and the character development in a little over 20 pages was greater than in many novels and films. It's a story I'll certainly be going back to many times. Maybe I'll even write about it. Who knows?

This is a mixed bag of humorous pieces previously published in magazines such as the New Yorker in the late 1970s. Of the 16 entries, most are send-ups of a variety of literary styles and genres, or are vehicles for one-liners and bits. As one might expect, there's many references to political movements, philosophical viewpoints, and religions. Overall, the collection showcases Woody Allen as a committed absurdist, as much of the humor relies on the juxtaposition of the wildly irrational alongside everyday events. The pieces are also predictably grounded in Jewish humor and Woody's nebbish persona, neither of which has aged so well.

While most feel like bits or ideas, there's four actual stories in the collection that rely on more show more situational comedy and all are well-worth reading. Of these, "The Kugelmass Episode" is the star. It's a fantasy about the unlikable Professor Kugelmass who, unable to leave his failed second marriage, meets a magician who can transport him into the story of any book ever written. Of course, the man chooses "Madame Bovary" to begin a torrid affair with the spoiled but beautiful Emma. Utterly charming. Despite being a bit icky, also good is "Retribution," in which a young Woody Allen-like character falls deeply in love with a beautiful gentile woman who has some serious Freudian issues. Oy vey. show less

Funny! I re-read this book occasionally and it still makes me laugh. "My Apology" alone is worth the price of admission.

I was excited about these new Audible audiobook productions narrated by [author:Woody Allen|10356]. However, unlike the promise Woody Allen gave in [book:Woody Allen Interview|34321304], for these have not aged well. I find myself chuckling how at how much I liked certain lines when I first read them years ago. But, hearing them delivered now does not have the same spark. (However, I do find many of these lines I have been saying to myself or spewing knowing I had gotten them from somewhere...)

Pretty much like reading a Woody Allen movie. Funny...check. Pretentious...check. Story lines involving a nervous man's infidelities with women who are probably more attractive and intelligent than he could get under normal circumstances...check. Reader thinking to herself 'At least it wasn't as bad as Scoop' upon finishing...check.

I may now be allergic to the early, funny Woody Allen. Much of this reads like a U of C undergrad badly imitating Groucho Marx. There are some high points. "He suggested man was a creature doomed to exist in 'time' even though that was not where the action was." The Kafka parody "The Diet". The variation on Tolstoy's Death of Ivan Ilyich "The Shallowest Man." The restaurant reviews in "Fabrizio's: Criticism and Response."

I imagine it's a bit like what Allen must be like when seen in person - or, back when he was still doing stand-up comedy on TV. His own brand of humor. You will laugh if you find him funny - as a person who loves to make fun of himself.