‘Apropos of Nothing’ by Woody Allen

*****

(Audiobook)
Director, comedian, writer, and actor Woody Allen relates how a love of movies during his childhood in Brooklyn eventually took him down the path to making movies of his own. From his early work as a writer and stand-up comic, Allen talks about his career, his friends and his relationships.

There didn’t seem any point in sitting down to read this book when I had the opportunity to hear the author narrate it himself. I’ve always loved Woody’s voice, his humour, his take on the world and his writing style. This book gives a solid account of how he created his many success, as well as the failures. Throughout the book, his self-deprecatory style is endearing and gives credence to his career and relationship decisions, even when everything seemed to be going against him. Known as someone who rarely watches his own movies, Woody’s recall of how each one came into being is absolutely fascinating, and it’s interesting to learn of his directing technique and how he deals with good and not so good collaborators.

I didn’t buy this audiobook to hear about the whole Mia Farrow allegations, but it’s reasonable that Woody might want to relate his side of the story. For anyone who thinks there’s no smoke without fire, it’s quite clear that Woody’s account is backed up by many others, including Farrow’s own children, Farrow’s previous employees and Woody’s (now) wife of twenty-odd years, Soon-Yi, and her treatment at the hands of her adoptive mother.

A fascinating account told in his own inimitable way.