Getting Even

By: Woody Allen

Narrated by: Woody Allen

Length: 2 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Woody Allen's early comic fiction was heavily influenced by the zany, pun-ridden humor of S.J. Perelman. And now, for the first time, Woody Allen narrates one of his early collections of short stories, Getting Even. Listen to Woody Allen revenge himself on such significant subjects as death, obesity, organized crime, the invention of the sandwich, and much more.

Getting Even is a collection of seventeen of Allen's magazine pieces, discussing such eclectic topics as the invention of the sandwich, laundry lists, death, obesity, and, of course, rabbis. Here's Woody Allen as psychologist: "...death is an acquired trait."

Historian: "I did not know Hitler was a Nazi. The truth was, for years I thought he worked for the phone company."

Philosopher: "I do not believe in an afterlife, although I am bringing a change of underwear."

Woody Allen’s short-story collections Getting Even, Without Feathers, Side Effects, 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.

©1978 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)

Laughed outloud!!!

So entertaining. Loved it!! So funny. There is no one who can compare to his genius!!

Witty Dialogue

Love Woody’s sense of humor. Cute and clever piece but not HILARIOUS. No worries — enjoyed it nevertheless.

Genius writer – Terrible Narrator

Since there is only 1 review here I thought I’d chime in. While you’ll find some real pearls in here, Woody’s narrating came across like he just wanted to get it over with. Hurrying through the stories and often blending his words together. It sometimes made it difficult to understand. Plus it sounded like his mouth was getting dry and he could have used some water. Overall though his thought process is quite interesting and he’s clever witty guy.

Awesome

Excellent prose 1971 vintage Woody tickling your funny bone relentlessly, a pleasant vacation from NewYork’s finest, try some, buy some!

nuts

What did you love best about Getting Even?

woody is nuts. he uses words to make your mind swirl.Thats the fun.

Which character – as performed by Woody Allen – was your favorite?

all characters read by woody are funny.

Any additional comments?

great for a good laugh.

Carefully Crafted Absurdity

This is like Monty Python but with frequent references to those who are more well read. These aren't joke books but series of stories with major non sequiturs as the source of humor. The little gags keep coming but don't expect many (or any) full on belly laughs. This is a little amusement for people who those who will pride themselves on "getting" the historical, philosophical, or literary references. Still much of it is just plain silly.
Buy the set it's a MUCH better deal.

Woody Allen's movies are (usually) better...

Even though there are excellent paragraphs, overall it was hard to follow and enjoy. Not my type of audiobooks, as it seems.

A master

No one else could read this. I first read his autobiography and laughed through the whole thing... well, not the serious stuff, I’m not a monster. But the parts that are intended to be funny are much more than funny. Smart. Thoughtful. Performed by a genius with perfect comedic timing. Thank you, Mr Allen

fantastic

Woody Allen has given an amazing performance here. Specially the chapters about a chess game between two friends (or foes) and about a private detective searching for God had me double up with laughter as I listened to them while driving .

Wonderful, Classic Woody Allen

What Monty Python has done for Christian lore, Woody Allen does for 20th century culture and Rabbinic Judaism. Delivered in Allen's classic droll deadpan style, these short essays are premised on subjects ranging from psychology, philosophy, 20th century literature and American history to Latin American revolutionaries, film noir and Rabbinic literature (midrash).

As in any type of humor, the more you know about the subject of the humor, the more you appreciate it--and Allen's adroit handling of his rather weighty subject matter is nothing short of brilliant.

While not absolutely essential, an at least cursory knowledge of the topics will add tremendously to the listener's enjoyment of Allen's remarkable talent in finding humor in what might otherwise seem rather humorless material.

This is one of the few books I can see myself returning to again and again whenever my spirits need a lift!