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The Princess Bride

4.23 of 5 stars 4.23 · rating details · 326,101 ratings · 8,194 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, Andre the Giant, a...more 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, 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 edition 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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Mass Market Paperback, 283 pages

Published March 12th 1977 by Ballantine Books (first published 1973)

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Feb 25, 2009 Chris rated it 5 of 5 stars · 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 men.
Chases.
Escapes.
Lies.
Truths.
Passion.
Miracles.

For a start.

It's one of the greatest love/action/revenge stories ever abridged...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Abigail rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: True Lovers, Pirates, Revenge-Obsessed Spaniards, Everyone...

Shelves: fantasy-sf

Review Temporarily Removed.

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Aug 29, 2012 Seak (Bryce L.) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

First of all, anyone who's rated this less than 5 stars is just wrong, very wrong. I know this because I was recently instated as master of all opinions where mine is the most rightest. :)

The Structure

I guess the real place to start with this book is with its structure. You may have noticed that the actual title is - The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure: The "Good Parts" Version Abridged by William Goldman.

Whew. That's a mouthful.

But that's also the g...more

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Nov 29, 2008 Echo rated it 5 of 5 stars · 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 impressive enough, but t...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)

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Jul 24, 2007 Icarus rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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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Feb 18, 2009 Sandi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 abridging it so it only has the "good pa...more

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May 25, 2008 MacK rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, favorites, young-adult

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 Frenchman and not a...more

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Jan 30, 2013 Nessa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, review

I am currently writing this review, having stayed up all night with the beginnings of a cold, and being sick from something I ate yesterday.

Unfortunately, I live on my own and both my male grandparents are no longer with us, so I didn't get to sit up in bed and listen to S. Morgenstern's classic tale of true love and high adventure – the 'good parts' version – being narrated by my grandfather, like the kid in the movie. Also, my dad is generally too busy, so that cuts William Goldman's own accou...more

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Mar 08, 2009 Ash rated it 3 of 5 stars · 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 Buttercup rea...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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Aug 17, 2011 Jason rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition 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 Princess Bride and...more 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 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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Feb 15, 2009 Robin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition 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 fantasy (visa-vie my husband's books...more 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 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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Mar 01, 2008 Liahni rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sometimes you just want 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, a man with six fingers, torture, and loads of laughter. Love it mucho!!!

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Oct 07, 2008 Tortla rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 wearing jeans...more

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May 01, 2012 Priscilla rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

GOLDMAN, you GENIUS. You had me going there. :D Seriously, I wanted to write to his publishing company to read his version of the reunion scene.

Initial Thoughts:
1. "Wait a minute... I thought this was... Okay, maybe it isn't. WAIT. IS IT REALLY? Hmmm..." I was asking myself this while I was reading this book so many times! When I finished the book, and finally had to confirm or bust my questions, I was laughing. That's how awesome Goldman's writing is. :D And that's what I loved most about this...more

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Apr 14, 2011 Cheryl in CC NV rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 are the sid...more

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Jan 10, 2010 Jeanette rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 story to tell you about th...more

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Oct 04, 2008 Jordan Hafford rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 book (Viz...more

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Jun 09, 2012 Callista rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favourite-characters, fantasy-adult

The Princess Bride is one of my favourite movies. But I resisted watching it when it first came out. I thought the title was dumb (still do, actually) and hadn't heard or seen anything about it that really piqued my interest. My best friend, knowing my interests and convinced I'd like the movie if I tried it, invited me over for some other reason and had the video waiting for me. So I watched. And I liked it, aside from thinking Buttercup was too mean to Westley on the farm. My friend thought I'...more The Princess Bride is one of my favourite movies. But I resisted watching it when it first came out. I thought the title was dumb (still do, actually) and hadn't heard or seen anything about it that really piqued my interest. My best friend, knowing my interests and convinced I'd like the movie if I tried it, invited me over for some other reason and had the video waiting for me. So I watched. And I liked it, aside from thinking Buttercup was too mean to Westley on the farm. My friend thought I'd like Inigo best--and I do like him and will recite his little speech ("Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.") along with him when I watch, much to some people's irritation--but I liked Westley best. (Cary Elwes. Damn. He was gorgeous then, and he had the coolest voice. I used to wonder why he never became an A-list movie star like Brad Pitt.) The movie is so much fun, has so many memorable lines, and has nifty swordplay in it (one of my favourite things).
I guess I avoided the book because I enjoy the movie so much, but finally decided to read it.
I'm giving the book 3 stars because of the things from it I like that transferred to the screen so well. Scenarios, whole chunks of dialogue. I also enjoyed the more detailed section on Buttercup's realisation that she had feelings for Westley and Inigo's backstory. Inigo is a more complex character in the book. The Zoo of Death is creepy but clever and makes Humperdinck even more of a villain.
But the movie is the real "good parts version," in my opinion. The same writer did both. He improved upon a number of things for the movie version.
The 30th anniversary version of book has three introductions, and the chapter of Buttercup's Baby has one. Too many introductions. Too much nattering on by the author. Most of the asides/explanations within the text don't add much, either. I think he took the Morgenstern joke--or lie, or whatever you want to call it--too far.
And there are a number of things I consider mean-spirited throughout all parts of the book, even when I try to cut the author some slack because he was born in 1931. It isn't the least bit satirical to make the book version of Buttercup beautiful but dumb. We see beautiful but dumb all the time; American society not only values but rewards beautiful but dumb. (Just this week, there was a local jewelry store ad for engagement rings featuring a woman who believes she's achieved culinary genius and innovation by inventing cinnamon sugar. Argh!) The book version of Westley is meaner. Too much is made of Fezzik's lack of education.
The single chapter of Buttercup's Baby further undermines the romance and sacrifices of The Princess Bride. The only things I liked about it were the "Unexplained Inigo Section," which wasn't necessary to the plot but interesting to me, and the part of the introduction that says nicer things about the author's family. Goldman tells us that his basic philosophy of life is that it isn't fair, but many readers like stories with some kind of resolution. It was better just to end The Princess Bride with the characters riding away to (presumably) freedom than to tack on the single chapter of Buttercup's Baby.
I need to go watch the movie now.(less)

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Aug 13, 2008 Margaret rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 of this takes...more

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Aug 05, 2008 veronica rated it 2 of 5 stars · 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).

First of...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Rod rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fanta-c

Very enjoyable. If you've seen the movie (and who hasn't seen the movie?) you already know eighty-five percent of what occurs in the book. Westley's just as dashing (and somewhat prickish), Buttercup's just as dull and self-absorbed, and Inigo and Fezzik are just as lovable and engaging (their characters make the book in the same way they make the movie). I liked it even better than the author's other major work, The Lord of the Flies*. The central conceit that this is an abridgment of an early-...more

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Jun 05, 2012 Jonathan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-challenge, personal-favourites, classic-literature, fantasy, humorous

Warning: Any forthcoming review is resultant from necessary tidying of read and as of yet not reviewed books.

Basically this is every bit as good as the film. I suspect that the brilliance of the film may have altered some perspectives of this as a work of fiction but the book was the original. And the film basically sticks identically to the book. I know the fact that the title includes both 'Princess' and 'Bride' may also have discouraged some potential readers. However it's a trap. The book fo...more

7 likes · like · see review

Sep 04, 2010 Nicole rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 he...more

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Jul 02, 2012 Matija rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-collection, english-editions, favorites

Wow! A beautiful read. I would highly recommend this book to all. It left me speechless. I'm not so good at reviewing, and I am not worthy reviewing this masterpiece - I can just say, if you still haven't read it, do it - NOW! :)

4 likes · like · see review

Mar 18, 2013 Julian Flack rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Without a shred of doubt; one of the best books I've ever read. If you happen to enjoy the act of picking up and reading a dead tree containing words then, I think, these words are about as good as you are likely to find. A masterpiece.

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 13, 2008 Liesl rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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

9 likes · like · see review

Jan 22, 2013 Savannah rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I did not like this book. It was EXTREMELY discrimintaing in my opinion, and I don't think it teaches good values to people who read it. It made me just mad, especially because it bashed-

A. Who I am.
B. What I want to become, and what I love.

It was very just wrong how discriminating he was against women. He made sure we all understood just how stupid women are, and that they can't do anything themselves. Also, according to him, we're all unloyal, backstabing prats, who are flippant, and immature...more

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Meghan I think this is a humorous book that you are taking a little too seriously (not that humor is an excuse for offensive or discriminating behavior, but...more I think this is a humorous book that you are taking a little too seriously (not that humor is an excuse for offensive or discriminating behavior, but that the book is necessarily condoning discriminatory behavior it depicts in its characters). First, technically racism is discrimination against someone because of his or her race and sexism is discrimination against someone because of his or her gender.

I can appreciate that you are not a fan of the framing device of the book (Goldman’s abridgement of the fictitious Morgenstern’s book), especially since my 50th Anniversary version had so many introductions, but it isn’t inherently bad. The whole book is fake; that’s why it’s called fiction. There are hints in the opening that it’s not real (other than just knowing a little bit about the book/movie), like how he implies that Morgenstern’s book was based on real events when it takes place in the made-up country of Florin with fantasy characters (ex there is no such thing as a ROUS). I think Miracle Max v. medical doctors is the same thing. Goldman is just writing a humorous novel, and preferring a clearly incompetent “Miracle Man” to a real doctor is ridiculous to the point of being humorous. The Goldman character of this book seems to be an exaggerated version of real-life Goldman: more egotistical, more self centered, etc.

I noticed that you like Jane Eyre. I think it’s cool that you are young and are clearly passionate about reading. I don’t happen to be a fan of that one, but here are some books I have read that a fan of Jane Eyre might like:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Other Bolyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
1984 by George Orwell
The Harry Potter series
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Hunger Games series
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Also, have you seen the movie? The humor might come across a little more clearly on screen than on the page.

Thanks for your take on this one, and I hope you enjoy whatever you are reading now more!(less)
Jan 12, 2013 11:37am

Savannah Meghan wrote: "I think this is a humorous book that you are taking a little too seriously (not that humor is an excuse for offensive or discriminating...more
updated Jan 22, 2013 05:40pm

Robin If you think this is bad, DO NOT, under any circumstances whatsoever, get anywhere near either the book or movie of Shrek.
Mar 31, 2013 09:37am

Aug 26, 2012 Zeljka rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adapted-to-screen, children-and-ya, horror-and-fantasy, my-treasury, humor, b2m-club

Before an actual (short) review, here's my own Instruction Manual for reading this 30th Anniversary Edition of The Princess Bride:
1. An original introduction to The Princess Bride
2. The Princess Bride itself
3. An Introduction to the 25th Anniversary Edition
4. An Introduction (Explanation) to The Buttercup's Baby
5. The Buttercup's Baby
6. An Introduction to the 30th Anniversary Edition

The above mentioned Reading Sequence is important if you wish to maximize your reading pleasure. Otherwise you wil...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 27, 2010 Kelly Leigh rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classic-literature, fantasy, how-do-i-love-thee-let-me-count-the

I grew up loving, adoring, obsessing over The Princess Bride movie, and I'm not afraid to share the fact that I would go around quoting during my youth, and maybe now - so what of it? - in my best Castilian accent, "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." I thought I was über cool and still do. Anyway, when I read this book (I was clueless to the fact that the amazing movie was actually based on a novel of the same name) I couldn't put it down. William Goldman is hysteri...more

5 likes · like · see review

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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.His brother was the late James Goldman, author and playwright.

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...more

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