Without Feathers

By: Woody Allen

Narrated by: Woody Allen

Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Now in audio for the first time, Without Feathers is narrated by Woody Allen himself. Here they are 16 of the funniest tales and ruminations ever recorded, by one of the great comic minds of our time. From "The Whore of Mensa", to "Fabulous Tales & Mythical Beasts", to "No Kaddish for Weinstein", old and new Allen fans will laugh themselves silly over these sparkling gems. A small sample: "Getting through the night is becoming harder and harder," writes Allen in his "secret" journal. "Last evening I had the uneasy feeling that some men were trying to break into my room to shampoo me."

Without Feathers delivers more of Allen's New Yorker-style humor. Worthy stand-outs include "If the Impressionists Had Been Dentists", a genius piece that puts oral surgery in a whole new, much more exciting light. Throughout, Allen grapples in his wildly inventive way with the targets that obsess him: death, God (or lack of God), women (or lack of women), intellectuals, the arts, and even wildlife.

There is a distinct romantic strain that runs through much of his writings, which the author describes as "either Byronic or moronic". Allen is forever at war with the universe and claims unequivocally that he is "at two with nature". His artistic ambition, as he puts it, is to "forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race. And then see if I can get them mass-produced in plastic."

Woody Allen's short-story collections Without Feathers, Side Effects, Getting Even, and Mere Anarchy are available separately or together as part of The Woody Allen Collection.

Listen to Without Feathers, Getting Even, Mere Anarchy, and Side Effects - or all four in The Woody Allen Collection.

©1986 Woody Allen (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Throughout my life, literally thousands of people have made me feel inadequate, but none more so than Woody Allen." (Larry David, Producer, Writer, Actor)
"Woody Allen brought modern comedy to the cinema screen." (Ricky Gervais)

Dated, but in a good way

It's missing two one-act plays that were in the print version - "God" and "Death* - but it's still a great time capsule of Woody Allen humor.

Intellectual (and some not so) Silliness

This is Woody Allen who, when not writing a more elaborate project just sits and writes up ANY ideas that come to mind.
I use the word "intellectual" to rule out those hooked solely on pop culture who won't find humor kidding around about Socrates or Kirkegaard which does requires some prior knowledge of them (not much but some).
This is kind of humor where the jokes just keep on rolling...., don't expect any knock out punch lines (which most Americans tend to prefer.) It is more "British" humor in the sense A) the situations themselves are absurd B) the incongruities (a huge part or humor) keep piling up, so soon ONE finds finds amusement.... (however the digit two also been known to have a good sense of humor).
I you "got" that previous minor grammar joke you may "get" this kind of humor. (If you didn't "get it" or just thought it was stupid - both valid opinions :)) then these books are filled with similar sounding little gags (Only better.)
Allen is really the best person to narrate this material and he does a GREAT job...his neurotic sounding voice adds charm and matches the craziness of the many short stories several of the gumshoe private detective type so ripe for parody.
Just don't expect a story plots similar to his better movies. However if you appreciate Allen's very unique style of wit (who has mastered the art of the random non sequitur for comedic effect) then you'll find the COLLECTION (why buy one when you can try/enjoy all four?) worth the credit.
If you're the type that likes slapstick humor or only jokes with punch lines you will likely not enjoy ANY these books. (I'd be more book specific but to me they're all too similar in style) on the other hand if you enjoy absurdity of the most random sort then these books are the ticket. I gave it 3 stars not because it was SO bad the rating seems appropriate for so uneven material written by a bored comedian.

Laugh out loud funny

Probably worth a credit for the first piece alone ("Selections from The Allen Notebooks"). A few classics here ("The Irish Genius", "Examining Psychic Phenomena") but both of the plays, "God (A Play)" and "Death (A Play)", from the book, are unfortunately not included in this audio collection. Still, it's a funny assortment and that's what counts!

Hilarious, topsy-tourvey, Monty-Paytonish ... if

Where does Without Feathers rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

great light listen - high on the list of comedies

What did you like best about this story?

comic story, ever changing , situation jokes, play on words, but also some deep thoughts (as usual)

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

you need to like Woody Allen's voice

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh

Any additional comments?

Hilarious stories sprinkled with Topsy-tourvy story line logic (or lack thereof ... :-)) makes these short books a great listen for all the fans of Monty Python-like humor. Well, you need to like the voice of the author, though.

Highly recommended as an interlude to your regular

Very funny

It's not for everyone, requires a certain level on concentration and wit, but if you give it the attention you are sure to have a steady stream of chuckles

Without Feathers, amazingly funny, hilarious!

Without Feathers. Woody Allen has the most inspiring imagination. Hilarious juxtapositions of diverse objects and adjectives. Ckock full of delightful surprises along the way. A most welcome refreshing use of language unbound by convention.
A great source of pleasure I'll listen to over and over. Much needed reprive from the usual. The brain seems to love the frequent unexpected sights and sounds and other pleasing sensations dropped in with artful spontaneity!

Such a major disappointment

I used to be the biggest Woody Allen fan - I would be first in the queue at the release of his latest movies - the lobster scene in Annie Hall was a classic and Hannah and Her Sisters was one of my all time favorite movies, but I had never read any of his books. I listened to a few of these short stories and was shocked at their stupidity and how puerile they were and in some cases they were actually offensive.

I wonder have I grown up or should I get therapy? One things for sure I won't be finishing these books.

Silly mess

Not sure what to say except that I thought this would be a funny quick listen but I just couldn't finish it. Just random unconnected vignettes that lack any real humor aside from being silly and largely about food and relatives. Worse then hearing someone talk about the dream they had last night You hear Woody Allen's voice and your all primed to laugh and...nothing

Rambling and self indulgent

I use to think Woody Allen was a comical genius, and they say genius is just one step away from crazy. Well with this book Mr. Allen has taken that step. It's just random incoherent thoughts that are just not funny.
Does Audible have a return policy?

mere silliness

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I have no idea

What do you think your next listen will be?

middlemarch

What didn’t you like about Woody Allen’s performance?

his words

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

serious disappointment. I greatly love some of his films.

Any additional comments?

If you seek humor, I don't think this book has it, but there's much silliness.