Woody Allen’s Memoir Gets Surprise Release, Is Out Now

"Apropos of Nothing" is out today from Arcade Publishing

Woody Allen
The saga of Woody Allen's new memoir has taken a new turn.
Bernard Boyé/Creative Commons

It might feel like a lifetime ago, but it was only earlier this month that Woody Allen’s memoir Apropos of Nothing was scheduled for release by Hachette, and subsequently dropped by the publisher after a significant pushback — including from many Hachette employees. Now, the story of the controversial memoir — in which Allen “writes of his relationships with family, friends, and the loves of his life” — has taken yet another turn.

Allen’s memoir Apropos of Nothing has been given the surprise drop treatment. (Yes, just like the new Childish Gambino album.) Arcade Publishing released the memoir today, according to an article in The Hollywood Reporter. The article offers a summary of the book, and also notes that this edition features a new afterword by the author and filmmaker:

In a postscript to the Arcade edition, Allen alleges that Hachette had vowed to publish Apropos of Nothing despite his “being a toxic pariah and menace to society.” But, he writes, “When actual flak did arrive they thoughtfully reassessed their position” and “dumped the book like it was a hunk of Xenon 135.”

The article also alludes to the tone of the memoir, noting that it opens “in the wry tone of such literary heroes as J.D. Salinger and George S. Kaufman” before he addresses some of the more controversial aspects of his life: “[I]t darkens and becomes defensive, not surprisingly.”

Arcade Publishing is an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, an independent publisher based in New York City with a wide-ranging focus, covering everything from literature in translation to an overview of the films of Ingmar Bergman. Other details about the book remain unclear, including whether or not the memoir will see a European release.

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