Woody Allen, the renowned 89-year-old filmmaker, is set to release his debut novel, What’s with Baum?, this September. The book’s arrival has already stirred debate, particularly given the long-running controversies surrounding the director’s personal life.
The novel centers on Asher Baum, a middle-aged Jewish journalist turned novelist and playwright living in New York. Described as a character consumed by anxiety, Baum grapples with personal and professional insecurities—a theme familiar to Allen’s audience, who are accustomed to his portrayal of neurotic intellectuals in urban settings.
However, the novel’s plot raises significant eyebrows due to its unsettling resemblance to Allen’s own life, particularly his infamous controversies. Baum’s narrative includes a strained relationship with his wife, who is described as having a “close relationship with her son, a more successful author than he,” while Baum grows suspicious of her connection with a neighbor in Connecticut. The parallels to Allen’s ex-wife, Mia Farrow, and their son, Ronan Farrow, are hard to ignore. Ronan Farrow, a journalist whose investigative work has garnered widespread acclaim, has long been a figure in the public eye in relation to his parents’ tumultuous relationship.
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of What’s with Baum? is its depiction of Baum’s anxiety surrounding a potential scandal. The synopsis details an incident where Baum “impulsively tries to kiss a pretty young journalist during an interview that she is about to go public with.” This narrative turn, which mirrors the concerns of a public figure fearing the fallout of an alleged sexual assault, has prompted comparisons to Allen’s own history. In 1992, Allen was accused of sexually abusing his daughter, Dylan Farrow, an allegation he has consistently denied. Though Allen was never charged with a crime, the case remained in the public eye, particularly following the 2014 revival of the allegations and the 2021 documentary Allen v. Farrow.
While Allen’s literary creation and his personal life are distinct, the thematic parallels are hard to overlook. The novel’s exploration of a man fearful of being “canceled” after a sexual assault allegation echoes public discussions surrounding the #MeToo movement and the scrutiny faced by high-profile figures accused of misconduct.
This is not the first time Allen has woven elements of his personal life into his work. His recent film Coup De Chance also contained a reference to contentious details from the 1992 case. However, the release of What’s with Baum? marks a particularly notable moment in Allen’s career, as it explicitly delves into the fears and repercussions faced by public figures accused of sexual misconduct.
While the novel is sure to spark further conversation, it is unclear how Allen’s audience will respond to what could be perceived as a thinly veiled exploration of his own past controversies. For now, What’s with Baum? is set for release in September, with many awaiting its impact on both the literary world and the ongoing discourse surrounding the filmmaker’s legacy.
