The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

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The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

by William Goldman

4.19 · rating details · 204,618 ratings · 5,894 reviews

The Barnes & Noble Review

Originally published in 1972, William Goldman's delightful, so-called "abridgement" of S. Morgenstern's classic swashbuckling tale of true love and epic adventure, The Princess Bride, has reached an enormous audience, thanks greatly to Rob Reiner's wonderful film version featuring Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal, A...moreThe Barnes & Noble Review

Originally published in 1972, William Goldman's delightful, so-called "abridgement" of S. Morgenstern's classic swashbuckling tale of true love and epic adventure, The Princess Bride, has reached an enormous audience, thanks greatly to Rob Reiner's wonderful film version featuring Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal, Andre the Giant, and William Goldman's sharp and vivacious screenplay. If you enjoyed the movie -- and I've never met a person who didn't -- you're certain to treasure this 25th-anniversary editon for many years to come. If you haven't yet delved into its enchanting pages, you'll find it utterly delightful, romantic, and entertaining read.

Because I saw "The Princess Bride" (many times now) well before I picked up Goldman's abridgement, I took it on with some reservation: How can anything possibly live up to that sharp and engaging movie? I was bucking for a serious letdown. Well, wasn't I surprised to discover that the film masterfully recreated the novel's brilliance? The sidesplitting humor, the appealing mood, and the romantic atmosphere are not unique to the film; these traits were lifted straight from Goldman's pages. Not only do I now have a deeper respect for Goldman's screenplay, but I have a fuller understanding of the fabulous characters that grace Reiner's film.

Remember Inigo Montoya -- the Spanish master swordsman whose life ambition is to find the evil six-fingered man who killed his father? Who can forget his famous line: "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed father, prepare to die"? And Fezzik, the tenderhearted giant who -- although weak-minded -- is powerful in physical strength and loyalty. And of course, Westley and Buttercup who, as symbols of true love and unblemished perfection, must suffer greatly before they can be truly joined. While the movie does an excellent job familiarizing us with their individual stories, Goldman's novel grasps who these characters really are and how each ended up in common struggle. The novel adds a significant dimension to the story that -- believe it or not -- makes each character even more unforgettable.

Goldman's story is without a doubt a timeless classic. The sharp wit, snappy dialogue, and wonderful characters that engrossed us in the film spring to remarkable life in the novel. Experience the high adventure and the true love of The Princess Bride all over again.

--Andrew LeCount

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Paperback, 480 pages

Published October 8th 2007 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (first published 1973)

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Feb 25, 2009

Chris rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, humor, top-shelf

If you haven't read this book, then all I can tell you is to go out, get it, and read it. Now. Don't bother with the rest of this review, you'll thank me later. It has:

Fencing.
Fighting.
Torture.
Poison.
True Love.
Hate.
Revenge.
Giants.
Hunters.
Good men.
Bad men.
Beautifulest ladies.
Snakes.
Spiders.
Beasts of all natures and descriptions.
Pain.
Death.
Brave men.
Coward men.
Strongest ...more

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Dec 14, 2010

Zosia rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction-and-fantasy

“I love you,” Buttercup said. “I know this must come as something of a surprise, since all I’ve ever done is scorn you and degrade you and taunt you, but I have loved you for several hours now, and every second, more.”

Everyone has seen the movie The Princess Bride, and the book version sat on my shelf for about six years before I actually got around to it. I guess I expected I wasn’t going to enjoy it as much as the movie – and I was correct.

The movie is no masterpi...more

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Nov 29, 2008

Echo rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, favorites

I feel the need to gush. I've set aside the many books I want to read for the moment in favor of rereading this one. I loved it when I read it way back in about the sixth grade, so I thought it was time I give it another shot.

As much as I loved it as a kid, I love it more now. Maybe because I can appreciate it on different levels. I'm only about halfway through on my reread, but I've come to the conclusion that Goldman is a genius. The story, characters, and dialogue are impress...moreI feel the need to gush. I've set aside the many books I want to read for the moment in favor of rereading this one. I loved it when I read it way back in about the sixth grade, so I thought it was time I give it another shot.

As much as I loved it as a kid, I love it more now. Maybe because I can appreciate it on different levels. I'm only about halfway through on my reread, but I've come to the conclusion that Goldman is a genius. The story, characters, and dialogue are impressive enough, but then you add in the whole bit about Morgernstern. I mean, here Goldman wrote this amazing story, and then he makes up a story about another man who wrote the story. Then he makes up a fictional story about his father reading him this story written by someone else, and later about his process of "abridging" the story. He even makes up a fictional wife and son who play their own parts in this. He throws in asides written by himself, and asides written by Mogernstern, and asides written by himself about the asides written by Morgernstern. He claims to have written a reunion scene that readers can request to have sent to them by the publisher, and when people did write in for it, Goldman sent them back a letter all about the legal reasons he could not send them the scene - all fictional, of course. (The man had me going for years. I read this thing when I was in sixth grade, mind you. I didn't realize there was no S. Morgernstern until I was in college.)

Anyway, while I was absolutely enthralled with this book, it occured to me today that I would put it on par with some of the greats, like Twain. The literary devices, the story, the wit, the satire (I think he's even satiric regarding satire itself) - I don't care if it got turned into a silly movie with a cult following*, I think this one of the few modern books I've read that I'd call Literature.

Plus, you know, it's also an amazing story. Zoo of Death, the most beautiful woman in the world, the Dread Pirate Roberts, a prince plotting murder to start a war, a hunchback criminal mastermind, a giant, the greatest swordfighter on the planet, true love, revenge . . . who doesn't love that sort of thing? The man is a genius.

* No disrespect of the movie intended. It's good. Mind you, it was the first movie I'd watched that I'd read the book first, and it devastated me. I mean it absolutely broke my heart. None of the charactes looked right. Everything was changed. The sharks were turned into eels. This person spoke a line meant for that person. Things were left out. It was all wrong. It just wasn't the book and I didn't like it. I've resigned myself to it since then, and admitted that yes, the movie is good and I forgive it it's shortcomings. It did the best it could. The movie can't help it it's not as amazing as the book. There are so many things that just can't be translated to film, and there's no help for it.(less)

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Jul 24, 2007

Icarus rated it

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Shelves: speculative-fiction

I am one of the few people in the world who does not think the book is better than the movie here. There is an undercurrent of bitterness in this book that I find off-putting. I am given to understand by a friend that those elements--i.e., the autobiographical stuff in Goldman's own persona--are actually fictional. But I found that they soured my enjoyment of the story they framed. I couldn't enjoy the writing of a writer who seemed as misanthropic and hateful as Goldman came off to me. TPB is s...more

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May 25, 2008

MacK rated it

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Shelves: childrensbooks, contemporary, favorites

I'm a little biased when it comes to this book. Yes, I saw the movie first and it made me happier than anything I've ever seen before or since. Yes, I do consider how much a person likes The Princess Bride before determining how good a friend to be with them. (I don't insist on it, but it can queer a good friendship)

I'm not alone in this, but I do share a similar affinity for the book, despite discrepancies that may make others blanche. And even for me Fezzik will always be a Frenchm...more

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Feb 15, 2009

Robin rated it

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Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Robin by: GoodReads Fantasy Book Club

What a charming read. This is one of the few books where I saw the movie first then read the book. I think William Goldman's book was largely "unknown" until the movie came out.

Like Shawshank Redepmtion and Stand by Me (Based on the novella The Body) this is one of the most accurate book to screen apdaptations. It is almost verbatium from the book and the few variations (Zoo of Death rather than Pit of Despair) have no real impact on the story.

Being as I edit f...moreWhat a charming read. This is one of the few books where I saw the movie first then read the book. I think William Goldman's book was largely "unknown" until the movie came out.

Like Shawshank Redepmtion and Stand by Me (Based on the novella The Body) this is one of the most accurate book to screen apdaptations. It is almost verbatium from the book and the few variations (Zoo of Death rather than Pit of Despair) have no real impact on the story.

Being as I edit fantasy (visa-vie my husband's books) I do often look for and find "plot holes" and there is a big one in this story. When Inago hears the torment cry of Westley he assumes it this the man in black because he was enganged to Buttercup but of course he had no reason to suspect anything between the two of them them. Even so I see this as just a kind of "cool thing I saw" it did not diminish the book for me in anyway.

Now for the big difference between the book and the movie. The book is littered with "asides" from William Goldman where he discusses parts in the original Simon Morgenstern version that he omitted to "keep only the good parts". He presents his book as an "abridgement" of Morgenstern's original and both praises and condems Morgensterns original work. He goes on to give tidbits such as a "reunion scene" that he wrote but could not include because his editor felt it was wrong for someone abridging someones elses work to add anything.

If you have any of the "aniversary editions" (I read the 30th) there are other bonus materials such as recounts of the numerous law suits between the Morgenstern Estate and Goldman and a dispute where they were trying to get Stephen King to write the Sequel "Buttercup's Baby" instead of Goldman.

Goldman even gives us glimpses into his personal life talking about both his failed marriage and his son (and how much he had to go thorugh to get him a copy of Morgenstern's Princess Bride for his 10th bithday).

I'm sorry to say that I fell for Goldman's farce hook, line and sinker. It was only after I tried to find Morgenstern's original work that I discovered that everything in The Princess Bride is fiction including all the asides. That made me appreciate the work even more. The lengths to which Goldman went - (even inventing a familiy and various other characters, editors, lawyers, agents, etc was great. I particularly liked that he told people to write into the publisher to receive a copy of the "missing reunion scene" only to take the farce further by sending them letters that he could not comply due to pending litigation!

The one and only disappointment in this "farce in the bonus material" is the horror which is "Buttercup's Baby". This is presented as yet another abridgement of Morgenstern;'s work but only the first chapter as the estate debates whether he or King will "get the job". BTW I'm sure King is "in" on this whole farse and loves it as Goldman and King have worked on several projects together such as Misery. The story is terrible and certainly comes no where near the brillance of The Princess Bride. I can see why Goldman never wrote the sequel and to be honest I hope he never does. The Princess Bride was so sublime and perfect we should be left with this and nothing more.(less)

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Oct 07, 2008

Tortla rated it

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Shelves: dragons, classics, everybody-should-own, writing-on-writing

I can't believe I thought Morgenstern was real. Not for long, really. But still. When I discovered he wasn't I hated this book for a while. But then I reread it and it was awesome in an entirely new way. I'm still not a huge fan of the fake little tidbits that the "abridgment" offers, especially the allusions to Florin as a real place, but I generally just skip over those. Also, I find the story of Goldman and his fat kid vaguely depressing. And I didn't like the part about Westley wea...more

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Apr 14, 2011

Cheryl in CC NV rated it

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I loved this as a child, and one of things I love best, then and now, is the conceit of all the layers, Goldman's claim that Morgenstern was real, that M. wrote a socio-political satire that needed to be trimmed to the story G's father read to child Goldman....

I liked that this time I read it, as an adult, I realized that G himself was the satirist, and that one of the things he was digging at was fantasy stories with iconographic heroes and villains (note that the richer characters...moreI loved this as a child, and one of things I love best, then and now, is the conceit of all the layers, Goldman's claim that Morgenstern was real, that M. wrote a socio-political satire that needed to be trimmed to the story G's father read to child Goldman....

I liked that this time I read it, as an adult, I realized that G himself was the satirist, and that one of the things he was digging at was fantasy stories with iconographic heroes and villains (note that the richer characters are the side-kicks, Fezzik and Inigo). Another was people like himself, Jewish people with aspirations to make it big in both NYC with publishers like HBJ and in Hollywood with screenplays and starlets.

After all, imagine reading just the story itself, cold. I don't think I'm the only one who would despair over what the heck the delusion that Buttercup and Westley claim is true love actually is. I mean, the way B. bossed the Farm Boy around, and the way W. didn't reveal himself to B. after killing Vizzini until it was almost too late, and the way the only thing B. has going for her is beauty, the way they bicker, the way B. did abandon W....

Don't get me wrong; I still enjoyed the 'high adventure' even though it was so implausible. But it's def. camp & satire. If you don't believe me, get a copy of the 30th anniversary edition and read the extra 'layers' (another long & fantastical intro, an intro to 'Buttercup's Baby' with a lot of backstory about Stephen King's involvement, the first section of BB, an interview with the characters, another autobiographical note, and reader's circle questions).

ETA: I just remembered that I meant to say that the gimmick of using an adult to relay a children's story must have been in fashion some time ago. Or maybe I just had a knack for finding those books. At least two others of my favorites, Mister God, This Is Anna and The Little Prince do this too. They all seem to be philosophical commentaries. Do you know of any other examples??(less)

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Mar 08, 2009

Ash rated it

· review of another edition

It’s incredibly hard for me to write a review for this book because I had such high expectations for it. At the same time though it was entertaining and had everything it promised: high action, revenge, miracles and most importantly true love. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was that bothered me. What kept from loving it.
At first I thought maybe it was the fact that the main characters didn't always seem to do the noble and honorable thing (sometimes I questioned if Westley and Butterc...more It’s incredibly hard for me to write a review for this book because I had such high expectations for it. At the same time though it was entertaining and had everything it promised: high action, revenge, miracles and most importantly true love. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was that bothered me. What kept from loving it.
At first I thought maybe it was the fact that the main characters didn't always seem to do the noble and honorable thing (sometimes I questioned if Westley and Buttercup really loved each other or if they just loved the idea of each other), but then again I liked how it wasn't a typical fairy tale. I thought that parts where the author "interrupts" were funny, but sometimes they seemed long winded. At times I couldn't really get into the story because he would cut in. I wonder if because I watched the movie first it ruined the book for me. I loved the movie. It was funny and refreshingly different than all the other happily ever after movies that I watched when I was younger. My dad even liked the movie (he was the one who showed it to me and my brother and sisters) and let me tell you, my dad is the hard-core-burly-man type so trust me, it was a good movie if he liked it.
I really wanted to like this book so much more and it seems like there must be something wrong with me for not absolutely loving it. Maybe it was the fact that the author really lays it on thick, saying that these events actually happened. Telling you these characters actually existed as do the places. He talks about how the "original" story was written by some guy named Morgenstern, who by the way doesn't exist. I’m fairly sure that most of the stuff he wrote about himself wasn't true either, although I do know some of it is. I knew that none of that stuff was true from the beginning though. Before I even started reading it, so I can't say that's really the reason. One thing that really bothered me at times was how much he tried to fake you out. I guess I wasn't supposed to know when he was faking you out, but since I watched the movie I knew what to expect.
I can't say that I loved this book, but I can see why people would love it so much and I don't think that they have no taste in books as others do when they disagree. You have to read the book yourself because it's one of those stories that you have to make your own opinion about. I really enjoyed the last chapter "The Remora". Also the "first chapter" of the "Sequel: Buttercup's Baby", I use quotations because, as per usual, it's not really true. The chapter was interesting, although I was kinda peeved that he ruined the happily ever after that I usually like. I still liked it though. I liked the book too, but didn't absolutely love it. There were really touching parts as well as funny ones. My favorite character was probably Inigo and I wish I could see how his story ends. Read it and see what's your opinion.(less)

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Jan 10, 2010

Jeanette rated it

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Shelves: all-fiction, fantasy, young-adult-books

This book has its moments, but I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. It's all very clever and playful and a little bit silly. But for all the originality in the telling, it really doesn't end up anywhere worth going. I did enjoy it on the whole, but I found my mind straying quite a bit thanks to a lot of "device" and not enough story. Said device being the premise that the story is an abridgment of a very old classic, with the "abridger" insinuating himself into the st...more

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Feb 18, 2009

Sandi rated it

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Shelves: fantasy, 2009

I'm probably spoiled because I have seen the movie version of "The Princess Bride" about a gazillion times. As I read, I just pictured Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patikin, et al. as the characters. I even heard their voices in the dialog. That said, "The Princess Bride" is a brilliantly executed concept. It's really a novel within a novel as Goldman tells a fiction story about his relationship with S. Morgenstern's "The Princess Bride" and his path to abridg...more

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Oct 04, 2008

Jordan Hafford rated it

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I possess the wherewithall to assert that this book is even better than the movie. I laughed out loud many times. I love his writing style.

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Aug 04, 2010

David rated it

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Shelves: fantasy, fiction, real-books-about-fake-books

So this is the second book that I've read on my roommate's recommendation, the first being Jurassic Park. With both of these, he told me that the book was better than the movie. With Jurassic Park, I just flat-out disagree. With this, I am much more on his side.

Most of the really funny lines in the movie are taken verbatim from the book (yes, even down to Peter O'Toole's charmingly impedimental wedding ceremony). The only alterations made to the actual story are slightly better in the...more

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Aug 13, 2008

Margaret rated it

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If you only know THE PRINCESS BRIDE from the film, turn off your computer immediately and find a copy of the book. The film is a thing unto itself and enchanting on its own terms, but because it's a movie Goldman had to redesign his novel in a way that de-emphasized one of its most compelling themes: why books matter, what we learn from them about life and about being human, and why certain books stay with us in the way that they do -- why, in fact, we are all on this website.

Most...more

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Aug 05, 2008

veronica rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: 10 year olds

Shelves: childhood-favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I know there are people who LOOOOOOOVE the film, "The Princess Bride." While I thoroughly enjoy the movie, I think I may only LOOVE it. I mean, Inigo Montoya is FABULOUS and I really really dug Westley, and the pwiest was vewwy vewwy funny!!!! So, when someone was kind enough to lend me the book, I had relatively high expectations. Now, don't get me wrong, I wasn't disappointed in The Princess Bride, but I just wasn't thrilled or moved to laugh till I cry (which the movie sometimes can...more

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May 22, 2008

Abigail rated it

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Recommends it for: True Lovers, Pirates, Revenge-Obsessed Spaniards, Everyone...

Shelves: fantasy-sf

I have always been a bit of a "literal Libby," and subtle (or not-so-subtle) irony and satire has a tendency to fly right over my head... So it is that when I first read Goldman's introduction to The Princess Bride, in which he discusses the difficulties he encountered in procuring and then revising a copy of S. Morgenstern's "old" classic, I believed him implicitly.

The nascent textual scholar in me was agog, and I simply longed to read the "boring" vers...more

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Sep 04, 2010

Nicole rated it

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Shelves: read-2010, books-i-own, favorites

LOVE this story and I just dig that William Goldman put all the ridiculous backstory in just to cater to his own humor! That man put the smart in smartarse!! Hilariously written as an instant classic, it has everything that a fairytale should have and I love, love, love it! Didn't get a chance to read the Buttercups Baby story before I had to take it back, but I was only after the story from the movie that has been a favorite for years. I officially have a crush on William Goldman even though h...more

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Feb 13, 2008

Liesl rated it

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Har har har har har har har I LOVE THIS BOOK!

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Apr 05, 2011

Stephen rated it

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Shelves: 1970-1979, fantasy, humor-and-satire

5.0 stars. HOW AMAZINGLY GOOD IS THIS BOOK YOU ASK?....so good it is almost

This is a literary treasure and one that I can not recommend more highly. Let me start by saying that prior to reading this book I had probably seen the movie version a dozen times or so and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!! I only mention this so that you know where I'm coming from in case you are not a fan of the movie as I think if you like one you will like the other and, conversely, if you didn’t like the movie,...more

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Nov 03, 2008

Hannah rated it

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Shelves: montage

I didn't set a high expectation for this book as I've never even heard of William Goldman, let alone read any of his works before. However, upon finishing The Princess Bride, I felt glad that I DID buy it as I think that it would be such a shame to miss a story as good as this.
If you read this book solely for the true love concept that is supposed to be one of the themes of the book, you'll probably be quite dissappointed. I'm not saying that there's no romance at all in there. True, there...moreI didn't set a high expectation for this book as I've never even heard of William Goldman, let alone read any of his works before. However, upon finishing The Princess Bride, I felt glad that I DID buy it as I think that it would be such a shame to miss a story as good as this.
If you read this book solely for the true love concept that is supposed to be one of the themes of the book, you'll probably be quite dissappointed. I'm not saying that there's no romance at all in there. True, there is a considerable amount of romantic/sweet/adorable scenes but I honestly don't think true love was actually involved, no matter what Westley (the hero), and other characters said. For one thing, he didn't exactly loved Buttercup (the damsel-turned-princess-in-distress), as a person. He actually loved her physical. Her beauty is the only thing about her that he praised (and probably the only thing about her that he ever noticed too) throughout the whole book. As for Buttercup, well, how she got to fall in love with Westley, I have no idea. At the start of the story, she made it her pasttime to mock and order him about. Then suddenly, she confessed to love him greatly, deciding it in only a matter of hours. I was like, "now how did THAT happen?".
Luckily, I wasn't really expecting a story of great love here. I actually didn't know what to expect, having only bought this book just because it was given a high rating. After reading the summary at the back, I thought it reminded me of Ella Enchanted (the book, not the movie). Perhaps because of the whole fairy-tale-like story. Halfway through the book, however, I thought that I can't remember being as entertained while reading Ella Enchanted as I was while reading The Princess Bride.
The Princess Bride is so hilarious, it's fortunate for me that I was reading it mostly alone in my room, else the other members of my family would have regarded me skeptically when I laughed out loud at certain parts of the book. And I had undoubtedly grinned like a fool during the other parts as well. The book was very enjoyable, the lines are funny and witty, the characters so lovable and colourful: a feeble-minded but beautiful maiden, a most charming hero, a childish giant, a humorously cocky, irritating prince, etc etc. The plot was interesting and what I probably love most is that the author didn't waste time describing in painfully great detail every scenes in the book, as a lot of other authors tend to do.
So despite the fact that I'm not exactly in favour of the way true love was portrayed here, I still love the book very very much. (less)

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Jul 24, 2008

Krista rated it

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Does anyone not love the Princess Bride?

The first time I was exposed to the story, I was in single digits, and my parents were watching the movie. I couldn't quite follow the plot, and all the elements got mixed up. I'm pretty sure sure I thought the Albino was a witch. It scared me out of my wits. My dad had a copy of the book in a cupboard by his bedside, and knowing what a terrifying story was contained within, I wouldn't even glance at the harmless cover art (Buttercup on her hor...more

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Mar 24, 2008

Gwen rated it

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Recommends it for: anyone who loves a great tale

Recommended to Gwen by: Adrienne

Shelves: fiction, humor, fantasy, book_club

This review will be filled with confessions.
The first one is that the first time I read this book (about 15 years ago) I really thought it was recounting actual events in the author's life. I thought there was an S. Morganstern and a place called Guilder and Florin. At least I hoped there was.
I grew up watching the movie and when I realized that the film was based on a book, I knew that I had to read it. I've come back to it a couple of time since then and it never disapoints me. I c...more

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Mar 20, 2009

Jane rated it

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I really enjoyed this book. Yes it is very similar to the movie, but it was still good to read on its own - I liked finding the few subtle differences between them.

My copy did have Butercup's Baby in it and while some people warned me not to read it I did. Wow - that is some pretty horribly written stuff. I wounder if he is trying to fake us out again by writing something so bad. In any case it has been a long time and it has not come out so I doubt it ever will. I hope not - le...more

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Jun 03, 2007

Christina rated it

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Shelves: fiction

Okay, it wasn't amazing, but nostalgia kicked in, and suddenly I was six years old again. It is a great book.

The story is wonderful, but what made this book not 100% amazing is that Goldman butts into the story with little asides in his special italics. Sometimes they are useful; pages are cut out and described in concise paragraphs instead. This was great, but much of the time, the asides were annoying. Still, it is so completely worth the read.

Addendum to Review*
...more

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Jun 29, 2008

Siria rated it

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I first saw the movie when I was about six or seven and fell instantly in love. I didn't read the book until much later, and when I began it, I was sceptical as to whether or not it could take the place of the movie in my affections. It far surpassed it. The book has an edge that the movie was never let have: far wittier, far sharper, and with a much more subversive ending.

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Mar 01, 2008

Liahni rated it

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Sometimes you just have to pick up a book that will make you laugh out loud and will bring back childhood memories. Learning to read, finding a great fairy tale, and being drawn in by adventure. This book has it all - a princess, a hero, a jerky prince, love, adventure, a giant, pirates, and loads of laughter. Love it mucho!!!

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Aug 17, 2011

Jason rated it

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Recommends it for: Fans of the movie, and silly action/adventure books

Recommended to Jason by: I just found it one day in the book store

Let me make it clear from the start that S. Morgenstern is a fictitious character created by William Goldman. I was confused about that at first because Goldman (the narrator) acts as if Morgenstern were real. In this 30th anniversary edition of the book, he even details his hassel from being sued by the Morgenstern Estate, so I just had to check it out.

I would give the original version of this book (the 1973 one) 4 stars because it has just 1 introduction and the story of The Prin...moreLet me make it clear from the start that S. Morgenstern is a fictitious character created by William Goldman. I was confused about that at first because Goldman (the narrator) acts as if Morgenstern were real. In this 30th anniversary edition of the book, he even details his hassel from being sued by the Morgenstern Estate, so I just had to check it out.

I would give the original version of this book (the 1973 one) 4 stars because it has just 1 introduction and the story of The Princess Bride and that's it. This version that I read included the introduction to the 25th anniversary edition, the introduction to the 30th anniversary edition, and the introduction to the first chapter of the sequel: Buttercup's Baby. (He's abridged only the first chapter of that book because that's when he found out he was getting sued by the Morgenstern Estate, which, of course, is just a clever explanation for writer's block). All in all, there are about 100 pages of introductory material, and while it's entertaining (he discusses abridging Morgenstern's original work, his psychiatrist wife, and useless, fat son, his grandson whom he likes, a discussion/disagreement with his friend Stephen King, and several other things), it's also a bit distracting. I would've been fine with just the original introduction. Also, Buttercup's Baby didn't do a lot for me, and I would've been just fine not having read it. For that reason, this version of the book loses a star.

That being said, the original story is very amusing. In italics are Goldman's personal notes, opinions, and explanations for omissions from the original Morgenstern work which are a delight to read. Since I saw the movie first, and have seen it approximately a million times since it came out nearly 25 years ago, it's almost impossible for me to separate the book and movie in my head, just like The Wizard of Oz. I'm happy to report that the movie follows the book quite closely. It's not perfect, but it's closer than most book to movie translations you run across.

There are sharks instead of eels in the water, but an interruption occurs right before the shark attacks Buttercup, just like in the movie. He explains to the reader that she doesn't get eaten by the shark at that time, just in case we were getting too involved in the story. He didn't want to upset us, and wanted us to have a chance to take a breath.

A benefit of the book is that we get back stories that aren't in the movie on almost all of the major characters, good and bad. Also, there's an entire 6 story zoo of death in the book instead of just that one little piddly pit of despair where Westley is kept. Another thing I liked in the book was an extension of Buttercup's nightmares. Some of them get pretty weird and dark, and I'm always down for the W&D.

A little tidbit: This book was hardly a great success when it first came out, but did modestly well. Goldman sent a copy to a friend of his who read it and was like "yeah, cool, whatever," but also tossed it to his son Robert to read. Robert was impressed with it, and would go a long way to see that it was made into a movie later for he was none other than the director and a producer of the film, Rob Reiner. Well, that's what Goldman says in one of his many introductions, so I have no idea how true the anecdote is, but I like it anyway.

So, if you like comedy, action, adventure, romance, and the text of a cult classic movie, then this is the book for you. But I do suggest checking out the original publication if you can find it. The extra intros and first chapter to a sequel don't really add much to it.(less)

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Jun 19, 2008

Lisa rated it

· review of another edition

I saw the movie in high school and thought I'd try out the book. Yes, I was one of the duped idiots that tried to find the Morgenstern "original text." The movie brings out more humor than the book but I like both equally.

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Oct 01, 2008

MsDanaE rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: booklust

One of the best movies I've ever seen... then, when I read the book, I realized how genius Goldman is. I love the character development in the text version. As youuuu wishhhhh!

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Jan 02, 2011

Nina ♥ marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Oh, my sweet Westly, I'm totally falling for you... *sigh*
I just saw the movie. OHMYGOSH IT WAS HILARIOUS!!! I'm so gonna read this!
So here are some of my favorite quotes:

(From the movie.)

Fezzik: Why do you wear a mask? Were you burned by acid, or something like that?
Man in Black: Oh no, it's just that they're terribly comfortable. I think everyone will be wearing them in the future.

Inigo Montoya: Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed ...more

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About William Goldman

Goldman grew up in a Jewish family in Highland Park, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, and obtained a BA degree at Oberlin College in 1952 and an MA degree at Columbia University in 1956.
William Goldman had published five novels and had three plays produced on Broadway before he began to write screenplays. Several of his novels he later used as the foundation for his screenplays. In the 1980s he w...more

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