Woody Allen’s memoir could go ahead in France as publisher vows to ‘do everything’ to salvage release

Hachette has cancelled publication of ‘Apropos of Nothing’ in the US

Clémence Michallon
New York
Monday 09 March 2020 19:23 GMT
Woody Allen in San Sebastian on 9 July 2019.
Woody Allen in San Sebastian on 9 July 2019. (ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Woody Allen’s memoir could still see the light of day in France, despite having been cancelled in the US.

The French publisher who was poised to release the French translation of Allen’s book has vowed to “do everything” to salvage the release.

It was announced last week that Hachette Book Group would publish Allen’s memoir, titled Apropos of Nothing, on 7 April.

However, the release was cancelled after widespread criticism over allegations that Allen sexually abused his daughter Dylan Farrow when she was a child. Allen has denied any wrongdoing.

Dylan Farrow and her brother Ronan condemned the planned release in separate statements. Dozens of Hachette employees later staged a walkout.

In France, the publishing house Stock – a Hachette subsidiary – had acquired the rights to publish the French version of Allen’s book.

Manuel Carcassonne, the head of the publishing house, has now told Le Point, a French weekly news magazine, that he wishes to go ahead with the French release if possible.

“I don’t know if I will be able to go ahead with the publication, but I will do everything [to make it happen],” Carcassonne said.

He suggested it would be “the author who will decide by himself” as the rights to the book have new been returned to him.

Carcassonne called the decision to cancel the US release “sad” but “perfectly understandable in the American context”.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in