Getting Even

Getting Even is Woody Allen's debut collection of short humorous pieces, originally published in The New Yorker between 1966 and 1971. The collection includes seventeen works spanning various formats - short stories, essays, and one play. The pieces range from parodies of detective fiction to satirical takes on philosophy and literary criticism. Allen adopts different writing styles throughout the collection, including hardboiled noir, academic analysis, and memoir format. One notable piece, "Mr. Big," serves as a spoof of classic detective fiction, featuring private investigator Kaiser Lupowitz. The collection also includes "Death Knocks," Allen's first published play, and "My Philosophy," which later influenced his films. The collection showcases Allen's early development of themes that would define his later work - the intersection of high and low culture, intellectual pretension, and the absurdity of human nature. Through humor and satire, the pieces examine the gap between cultural aspirations and reality.

Readers appreciate Allen's absurdist humor and clever wordplay in this collection of short pieces. Many note the book works best when read in small doses rather than straight through, as the style can become repetitive. Fans highlight the philosophical musings underneath the comedy, particularly in pieces like "The Gossage-Vardebedian Papers" and "Spring Bulletin." Multiple reviews mention laughing out loud at the ridiculous situations and dialogue. Critics say some pieces feel dated or fall flat, with several readers calling certain sections "trying too hard." A few note the humor style is very similar to Allen's films - those who don't enjoy his movies likely won't enjoy the book. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (280+ ratings) "Like eating a box of chocolates - best enjoyed a few at a time" - Goodreads reviewer "Hit or miss depending on your taste for absurdity" - Amazon reviewer

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris Essays that blend personal experience with cultural observation through a similar lens of intellectual self-deprecation and absurdist humor.

Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace Literary essays that mix high and low culture references while examining human nature through both comedic and philosophical perspectives.

The Insanity Defense by Woody Allen A subsequent collection of Allen's prose pieces that continues the style and themes established in Getting Even.

Without Feathers by Steve Martin Short humor pieces that play with literary forms and philosophical concepts while maintaining a comparable mix of intellectual reference and comedic absurdity.

The Portable Dorothy Parker by Dorothy Parker Short works that combine wit, cultural criticism, and literary parody with a sharp satirical edge focused on human nature and society.

🎭 Several pieces in the book were initially rejected by other publications before finding a home in The New Yorker, where they helped establish Allen's literary reputation. 📝 The story "The Gossage-Vardebedian Papers" is written entirely in the form of chess game correspondence, showcasing Allen's innovative approach to narrative structure. 🎬 Many themes explored in "Getting Even" - particularly intellectual insecurity and urban neuroses - became hallmarks of Allen's later films like "Annie Hall" and "Manhattan." 📚 The collection's title "Getting Even" was chosen by Allen as a humorous jab at critics and others who had dismissed his earlier work as a stand-up comedian. 🗽 Most of the stories were written while Allen was performing regularly at New York City comedy clubs, particularly at the Blue Angel and the Bitter End, during the mid-1960s.