The Princess Bride (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

published	September 2003 by Ballantine Books
first published	1973
binding	Paperback
isbn	0345418263 (isbn13: 9780345418265)
pages	480
description	The Princess Bride is a true fantasy classic. William Goldman describes it as a "good parts version" of "S. Morgenstern's Class...more [close] The Princess Bride is a true fantasy classic. William Goldman describes it as a "good parts version" of "S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure." Morgenstern's original was filled with details of Florinese history, court etiquette, and Mrs. Morgenstern's mostly complimentary views of the text. Much admired by academics, the "Classic Tale" nonetheless obscured what Mr. Goldman feels is a story that has everything: "Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles." Goldman frames the fairy tale with an "autobiographical" story: his father, who came from Florin, abridged the book as he read it to his son. Now, Goldman is publishing an abridged version, interspersed with comments on the parts he cut out. Is The Princess Bride a critique of classics like Ivanhoe and The Three Musketeers, that smother a ripping yarn under elaborate prose? A wry look at the differences between fairy tales and real life? Simply a funny, frenetic adventure? No matter how you read it, you'll put it on your "keeper" shelf. --Nona Vero [close]
date added	12-28-06 edit book

find at: Amazon | Half.com | Barnes & Noble | Abebooks | more...

discuss this book

topics	replies	last activity
Shelving	1	07/22/2007 06:27PM

new topic

groups with this book

friend reviews (0)

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

lists with this book

Best Books Ever

345 books | 205 voters

Best Books of the Decade: 1970's

23 books | 19 voters

More...

other reviews (showing 1-20 of 11567)

Echo rated it:

02/26/08

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in January, 1996

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 impressive enou...more 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 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

Like this review? yes (6 people liked it)

8 comments

Chris rated it:

(review of isbn 0345348036)

02/09/08

bookshelves: fantasy, humor, top-shelf

Read in March, 2006

Okay, if you're reading this review and you haven't read The Princess Bride, I probably don't know you.

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 *ahem*:

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.
B...more

Like this review? yes (11 people liked it)

1 comments

empirerecords rated it:

11/13/07

bookshelves: books-i-own, read-and-reviewed

Read in November, 2007

"Tr...ooooo...luv..." This is Westley's reason to live. The Princess Bride has a great deal of true love in it. Throughout the entire book, Westley and Buttercup fight for their love, no matter how tough the circumstances. Whether it's going into the Fire Swamp, being tortured by "The Machine", or climbing the Cliffs of Insanity, Westley and Buttercup find a way to be together for their true love.

In the very beginning of the novel, The Princess Bride, Butte...more "Tr...ooooo...luv..." This is Westley's reason to live. The Princess Bride has a great deal of true love in it. Throughout the entire book, Westley and Buttercup fight for their love, no matter how tough the circumstances. Whether it's going into the Fire Swamp, being tortured by "The Machine", or climbing the Cliffs of Insanity, Westley and Buttercup find a way to be together for their true love.

In the very beginning of the novel, The Princess Bride, Buttercup wasn't that fond of Westley but Westley was madly in love in her. In fact, every time Westley said "As you wish" what he really meant was "I love you". When Buttercup finally realized she loved Westley, he had to leave. Is this true love? Maybe not, since Buttercup didn't realize her love until later on, but in my opinion, Buttercup realized it just at the right time. If there wasn't true love in this book, there would be no book.

Buttercup and Westley are apart after Westley leaves the farm. From then on their lives change drastically. Buttercup finds out that Westley is "dead" and (Even though Westley is just off being the Dread Pirate Roberts.) Buttercup is asked by Prince Humperdinck, son of King Lotharon, for her hand in marriage. (This is after he refuses to marry Princess Noreena when he found out she was bald, which means he obviously only cares about beauty, not true love.)"I'll never love you. I wouldn't want it if I had it. Then by all means let us marry."

I think that, as I stated before, this book would not be a book without true love. After all, the whole reason Buttercup was kidnapped by the man in black (Westley) was because of true love. The same reason why Miracle Max brought Westley back to life is because of true love as well.
Westley did anything for Buttercup, climb the Cliffs of Insanity, be a subject of "The Machine" and go into the Firer Swamp. Buttercup wrote him letters, went into the Fire Swamp and would kill herself for him. The true love between Westley and Buttercup is obvious.

The Princess Bride is a classic love tale filled with true love. Westley and Buttercup share this with each other. They would do anything for each other and they fought for their love. This book isn't just a "My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!" book. This is true love, without it, it wouldn't be such a great book....less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Joel rated it:

05/03/08

Read in January, 1987

The naming of this book was unfortunate because it probably keeps a lot of guys from reading it.

I haven't read this since middle school, but I remember liking a lot about it. My 9th grade teacher said that when we read it we will understand why they couldn't make it into a movie. Then the next year they made it into a movie. The movie was actually quite close to the book, but you miss a lot if you skip the book and watch the movie:

1. There is so much wit written by the author that t...more The naming of this book was unfortunate because it probably keeps a lot of guys from reading it.

I haven't read this since middle school, but I remember liking a lot about it. My 9th grade teacher said that when we read it we will understand why they couldn't make it into a movie. Then the next year they made it into a movie. The movie was actually quite close to the book, but you miss a lot if you skip the book and watch the movie:

1. There is so much wit written by the author that there wasn't time for in the movie.
2. There is an entire inside joke in the book that was not obvious if you read the book. The author claims he is only abridging a longer book written by another author. He says his grandfather read the story to him when he was sick in bed but left out all the boring parts and when the author grew up he gave the book to his son and was surprised to find out his son didn't like the book. He discovered that when Buttercup went for a trip there were several pages that listed the clothing she took on her trip. He makes fun of the author several times. So he calls his abridgement the "good parts version". At one point the two main characters in the novel are reunited and he says that he wanted to write about their romantic reunion but the publisher said that because this was an abridgement he wasn't allowed to change the original story but if you wanted to write the publisher he would have them send you his version of the romantic reunion.
My 9th grade teacher offered us for extra credit to write to the publisher to get this romantic version of their reunion.
A Few years later I met someone who had actually written to the publisher about the alternate romantic version and instead got an apology and an excuse from the author about why he didn't ever write the romantic version.
The whole joke was that the book wasn't really being abridged. The "original author" that the author made fun of never wrote the book but the guy claiming to only be abridging the book actually wrote the book.

Anyway, it sounds cliche but the book was better than the movie.
...less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

MacK rated it:

05/25/08

bookshelves: childrensbooks, contemporary, favorites

Read in May, 2008

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 Frenchma...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Tamir rated it:

06/26/08

bookshelves: 2008-reads, fantasy

Read in June, 2008

Still reading...although it's been sitting on the shelf for quite a while. It's a good book though! And the beginning part where you get to learn more about Wesley and Buttercup's relationship is quite funny....like when Wesley slams the door shut on Buttercup after she declares her love.

So far I'm thinking this is one of those books where the book and movie are both really good!

I'll review more when finished...

Ok, so finally finished. I really liked it and there were some parts n...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

kat rated it:

(review of isbn 0345348036)

05/17/08

bookshelves: new-read

Read in May, 2008

recommends it for: NO ONE who has seen the movie, unless you're prepared for The Rage.

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

First off, I have been wanting to read this book for TWENTY YEARS, ever since I first saw the movie. Secondly, the book is very different from the movie in a lot of extraordinarily infuriating ways, but just enough of the dialogue is left intact that it constantly reminds you how superior the movie actually is.

Now: SPOILER ALERTS

1. It annoys me that to be the "most beautiful, perfect woman in the history of the world" you also have to me supremely stupid. And that's what But...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Gwen rated it:

03/24/08

bookshelves: book_club, fantasy, fiction, humor

Read in March, 2008

recommended to Gwen by: Adrienne
recommends it for: anyone who loves a great tale

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 confess t...more

Like this review? yes (2 people liked it)

3 comments

Abigail rated it:

(review of isbn 0345348036)

05/22/08

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in January, 1990

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

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" versi...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

4 comments

Rachel rated it:

03/12/08

I've always loved the film, but the book is even more interesting and, oddly enough, intensely emotional. The frame of the movie--the grandfather reading a book to his son--is the memory Golden tries to recreate by giving the book to his son. To his dismay, however, his son hates the book and can't make it past the first chapter; Golden realizes that when his father read the book to him, he edited out whole chapters of long political histories and discussions of table manners. So, he sets out...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Rai rated it:

(review of isbn 0151015449)

02/05/08

Read in December, 2007

recommends it for: Seekers of entertainment

A very funny book! It has the same humor as the movie but in different jokes. It was thoroughly entertaining and it made me wish that I had a daring Westley to sweep me off my feet. It had everything a good story ought to have! I couldn't help grinning the whole way through as I thought of a quote from the movie: "Fencing; Fighting; Revenge; Chases; Escapes; True love; Miracles!" It was 100% true! This book was packed with excitement at every corner, from Pirates to cunning conspirator...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Beth rated it:

(review of isbn 034543014X)

05/21/08

Read in May, 2008

Like just about everybody, I love this movie. Strangely, we've owned a hardcover copy of this book for YEARS and it just finally occurred to me to actually read it. In fact, I had started it once before but was put off by Goldman's autobiographical details behind his writing/abridging of this book. Once the story actually began (Chapter 1: The Bride), there was the familiar old story. I enjoyed the additional character detail, witty comments (a la Westley), and rhymes (a la Inigo and Fezzik)...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Jessie rated it:

06/26/08

bookshelves: advisory

I must say this is one of the best adventure stories I’v ever read. This book is a classic and is a shorten / abridged version of the very old and long one that isn’t even in print anymore. I really enjoyed William Golding’s humor in the side comments he makes as well as the unnecessary additions to the story that makes the story all so much more exciting. I had originally expected the storyline to be like any typical fantasy in which the handsome protagonist saves the beautiful but self-u...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Abby rated it:

(review of isbn 0345348036)

03/24/08

Read in March, 2008

If you've seen the movie, you know the story (the movie is very close to the book). The milkmaid Buttercup falls head over heels in love with the farm boy Westley. When Westley leaves to earn his fortune and is reported dead, Buttercup's heart breaks and she agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck although they both know they don't love each other. When Princess Buttercup is kidnapped by a band of ruffians, a mysterious man in a black mask begins to follow them, intent on capturing the Princess. This...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Lori rated it:

01/15/08

bookshelves: fiction

Read in January, 2008

recommends it for: anyone who liked the movie.

So I grew up on this movie. I adore it. I have it on DVD so my children can watch it. Its a classic.

I was terrified to read the novel. I didnt want it to ruin the movie for me. Thank goodness it didnt!

I think I enjoyed reading the book more because I was able to hear the characters voices in my head as I went through. Most of the dialouge was kept intact in the movie. That was nice as well.

One complaint I have with the novel: What is up the author pretending he isnt the author, that...more

Like this review? yes

2 comments

Elissa rated it:

(review of isbn 0151015449)

06/30/08

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in June, 2008

recommended to Elissa by: Jessica,

This was a very good book, S. Morgenstern is an excellent author, of course there is the very dry humor, which I love, the page-turning thriller parts, and more than anything, True true love, which is better than anything but coughdrops ;) I was really dissapointed at the ending though, it was very strange!
I like William Golman's Father's ending better (and they lived happily ever after)
However, William Goldman's commentary in the middle of scene's really got on my nerves, he (Goldman) struc...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Tortla rated it:

(review of isbn 0345348036)

07/09/07

bookshelves: classics, dragons

Read in January, 2004

I can't beleive 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 "abridgement" 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 we...more

Like this review? yes (3 people liked it)

add a comment

Austin rated it:

03/07/08

recommended to Austin by: I Liked The Movie, & Bought The Book
recommends it for: Romantic Metatext Fans

The first time I read this book, I fell for it, hook, line, and sinker. I really did believe that Goldman did love this book as a child, and that this REALLY WAS the "good parts" version. I'm pretty gullible that way, and the part of me that wanted to believe is the part of me that this book really responded to.

A lot of people will probably think that the adventure elements of the story are "corny". Some will find the humor a little forced and old-fashioned. Surly, ...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Julia rated it:

03/31/08

Read in March, 2008

I've read this book before but it has been several years, and what an utter delight to experience it again! I am, of course, like most people, a big fan of the movie but the book is much better. The character of Westley is funnier, stronger, and more human-seeming than in the movie; actually, all the characters are more richly drawn. I love the pretend abridging of "Morgenstern's classic tale" with the modern-day narration interspersed. I've been reading several books lately with o...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Lasairfiona rated it:

02/18/08

bookshelves: dontbother

recommends it for: not even for completists

Go watch the movie. It edits out the author's whining through the whole book. There is no unabridged version and the book adds little to the movie.

Goldman does deserve props for a good story (Twoo wuv!) and for an interesting, if obnoxious, format (there is not unabridged Princess Bride. He created the story himself but passes off the st