The Unruly Life of Woody Allen: A Biography

Comedian and filmmaker Woody Allen’s closely guarded privacy came to an end in 1992 when he began a romantic relationship with then-wife Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn. Up until that point, Allen had managed to portray his neuroses as a joke; after his break-up with Farrow, the public regarded Allen in a new light. In her biography, Meade reveals Allen to be a man as deeply troubled as he is remarkably talented. A director, actor, author, and clarinetist, Allen has won several Oscars and toured the world with his jazz band. He also spent decades considering suicide every day, and maintained a fierce control of his portrayal by the media. Through numerous interviews with childhood friends, colleagues from his days as a television writer and standup comic, actors who’ve worked with him, and numerous people in the film industry, Meade creates a challenging and well-rounded portrait of this familiar figure.