Woody Allen’s memoir Apropos of Nothing has stirred controversy with its frank discussion of his relationship with Soon-Yi Previn, the adopted daughter of his former partner, Mia Farrow. In the memoir, Allen openly reflects on their early relationship, admitting that it was fueled by intense lust. Despite the significant age gap between them—35 years—he suggests that Soon-Yi was “ready to ripen superbly” with someone to show her affection. Their relationship, which began when Soon-Yi was 22, was uncovered by Farrow after she discovered explicit photographs of the two.

The book also touches on Allen’s view of the emotional and physical abuse Soon-Yi allegedly endured from Mia Farrow. He recounts stories of Farrow mistreating Soon-Yi, including actions such as threatening her with an asylum and striking her with objects. Allen defends his actions, emphasizing that the relationship was not about betrayal but rather a deep bond that developed over time.

The release of Apropos of Nothing was marred by significant backlash, including protests from Hachette employees, after it was revealed that Allen’s estranged son, Ronan Farrow, had been instrumental in bringing the Harvey Weinstein scandal to light with his Pulitzer-winning reporting. As a result, Hachette canceled the release of the book, which was later published by Arcade, a subsidiary of Skyhorse Publishing.

Throughout the book, Allen discusses his complex feelings about the situation, expressing empathy for Mia Farrow’s emotional reaction while attempting to justify his relationship with Soon-Yi. Despite the controversy surrounding his past actions, Allen and Soon-Yi have now been married for over two decades, and they continue to express their affection for one another. However, Soon-Yi herself has also criticized her former mother, Mia Farrow, accusing her of abuse and calling her a “nasty, mean person.”

This memoir adds another layer to the already contentious narrative surrounding Allen’s personal life, continuing to spark debate about his actions and their consequences.