Woody Allen : novels like Woody Allen films?

novels like Woody Allen films?

Any recommendations.

Re: novels like Woody Allen films?

Well, if you're looking for novels that Woody's films are based on / appropriate from / or were influenced by, then you have a lot of options. Most notably September is rooted in Checkov's The Seagull. Another example is Match Point being a rewrite of Dreiser's An American Tragedy.

Like all great artists, Woody's films are multlayered in influences. His process is to film what Bob Dylan's is to music.

If you're looking for literature that is Woody-esque but has nothing really to do with Woody's films at all, ironically enough probably a good starting point is Philip Roth. Despite the fact that Woody and Roth really hate each other, they both write about similiar philosophical ideas in regards to humanity, truth, relationships, love / lust, etc. The closest crossover there is Woody's Deconstructing Harry, which is a shot at Roth (who was dating Mia Farrow at the time, in large part no doubt to spite Woody). Often mistaken for being "autobigraphical", the film even features Richard Benjamin as the fictional stand in for the author. Benjamin being famous for his role in the film version of Goodbye Columbus, in which is a thinly veiled autobiographical character Roth made of himself. Amongst other things.
Either way, Roth's works (and work ethic through the years) has quite a bit in common with Woody's writing.

Re: novels like Woody Allen films?

I've read Roth and the similarities are definitely there... How do you know they "really hate each other"?

I would also recommend Saul Bellow, "Herzog" in particular. At least we know Bellow didn't hate Woody, thanks to his hilarious appearance in Zelig.

Re: novels like Woody Allen films?


How do you know they "really hate each other"?


Very well documented through the years. Roth has had an on-off ongoing (currently on?) affair with Mia. Should tell you something.

Re: novels like Woody Allen films?


Roth has had an on-off ongoing (currently on?) affair with Mia.


Poor guy.

Re: novels like Woody Allen films?

Herzog is a fantasic book, and I would also agree b68 with you that many of Allen ' s movies, especially Interiors, has a very similar feel to it.

Re: novels like Woody Allen films?

Henderson the Rain King is quite good. My favorite Bellow is The Adventures of Augie March. I could see Woody enjoying that one.

Re: novels like Woody Allen films?

bump

Re: novels like Woody Allen films?

bump

Re: novels like Woody Allen films?

Try his short story collections 'Without Feathers', 'Side Effects', 'Getting Even', or simply 'The Complete Prose'.

Re: novels like Woody Allen films?

Classics, all.

Re: novels like Woody Allen films?

You could also try "Catcher in the Rye". The entire narrative was meant to be a confession (of sorts) to a mental health professional / therapist.

Re: novels like Woody Allen films?

I think the book that has inspired more woody is dostoyevskis "crime and punishment". Also woody is great admire of the Greeks tragedy writers like Aeschylus, Sophocles and Eyripides and general greek philosophers and if somebody point there are many small references in all movies to them.
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