Woody Allen Has Written A Novel, “In His Own Image,” Critics Say

So, Woody Allen has written a novel. So what. It’s true, more recently, his personal life has overshadowed his brilliance as a scriptwriter and filmmaker, but let’s remember his brilliance as a scriptwriter and filmmaker. So, now that he has written a novel, maybe we should see what he has to say in that novel. This item is not intended for you to rush out and purchase it. But because it’s Woody, and because he is a brilliant scriptwriter and filmmaker, we should note his debut novel. You don’t have to like it…

What’s With Baum centers on a middle-aged Jewish journalist turned novelist and playwright, consumed with anxiety about everything (sound familiar?).  His turgid philosophical books receive tepid reviews, his prestigious New York publisher has dropped him, his third marriage is on the rocks, and in a moment of irrationality, he tried to kiss a pretty young journalist during an interview, and she is threatening to go public with the story. Meanwhile, he learns a startling secret. Aha, a plot device. And a comic novel takes shape.