by Woody Allen
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Product Description
A humor classic by one of the funniest writers today, SIDE EFFECTS is a treat for all those who know his work and those just discovering how gifted he is. Included here are such classics as REMEMBERING NEEDLEMAN, THE KUGELMASS EPISODE, a new sory called CONFESSIONS OF A BUGLAR, and more.
Amazon.com
Before Woody Allen set his sights on becoming the next Ingmar Bergman, he made a fleeting (but largely successful) attempt at becoming the next S.J Perelman. Side Effects, his third and final collection of humor pieces, shows his efforts. These essays appeared in The New Yorker during the late 1970s, as he showed more and more discontent with his funnyman status. Fear not, humor fans--Allen's still funny. He is less manic, however, than in his positively goofy Getting Even/Without Feathers days, and this makes Side Effects a more nuanced read. Woody picks and chooses when to flash the laughs, as in an article discussing UFOs: [I]n 1822 Goethe himself notes a strange celestial phenomenon. "En route home from the Leipzig Anxiety Festival," he wrote, "I was crossing a meadow, when I chanced to look up and saw several fiery red balls suddenly appear in the southern sky. They descended at a great rate of speed and began chasing me. I screamed that I was a genius and consequently could not run very fast, but my words were wasted. I became enraged and shouted imprecations at them, whereupon they flew away frightened. I related this story to Beethoven, not realizing he had already gone deaf, and he smiled and nodded and said, "Right." Though not as explosively, mind-alteringly funny as his earlier books, Side Effects is still loaded with chuckles; the much-anthologized "Kugelmass Episode" is worth the price of the book. For fans of his films--or for anyone who wants a final glimpse of Woody in his first, best role as court jester, Side Effects is a must-have. --Michael Gerber
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Average Customer Review:
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 Side Effects: Sore side from laughing, 2007-08-13
Side Effects, by Woody Allen, was released in 1980. It is a very funny collection of Allen's work, much of which first appeared in the New Yorker and other publication. The books is pretty even, and rather funny. The high point here is The Kugelmass Episode which features a professor named Sidney Kugelmass who is, via a magician, tranpsorted into the novel Madame Bovary.
A very funy four star offering from Mr. Allen.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 Loved It, 2007-06-07
Discovered in the humor section at Borders, I couldn't resist one of my favorite director's/producer's/actor's books. Side Effects is a collection of Allen's short stories that read similar to skits that were too short or just not right to be put on the screen. They're humorous, beautiful, and intelligent in the usual Allen fashion. I will admit though that as far as short story mastery goes, Allen has nothing on Cheever or Carver but for any Allen fan they're a must read.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
A pleased Allen fan, 2007-01-05
After watching mant of Allen's films and listening to Allen's stand-up I was more than pleased to read one of his books. His prose is the same as the dialogue that gushes from his character's mouths in his films, tinged with a twitchy neurosis that brings a smile across my face. This book is littered with moments that will make your stomach sore from laughing and others that result in a sly amused grin. Bring the existential alka-seltser.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
nothing like it, 2006-05-02
this book is most definitely one of the funniest books ive ever read. a great laugh-out-loud and side-splitting novel. a wonderful mixture of short stories and passages that can keep you reading for hours. This is definitely an original and innovative book worth picking up and reading over and over again.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
"The most important question is, . . ., 2005-12-16
". . . is there anybody out there? And if so, do they have ray guns?" - - As Allen speculates in the chapter, "The UFO Menace". I wasn't driven to hilarity, but you gotta smile and chuckle as the master of the one liner keeps them coming non-stop. The Woodmeister is an acquired taste. For enhanced reading enjoyment, you MUST slow down and mentally impose Woody's audible accent onto what you are reading. Again, nothing here to cause you to lose control of your bodily functions, but you'll smile and laugh enough to make a little noise. If you have not read Woody Allen before, be advised that this does not have to be read in one sitting. Nice book to keep in the bathroom, or stick in the side pocket of your carry-on and leave there.
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