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The Princess Bride

William Goldman

Start date: December 1, 2012

Finish date: December 31, 2012

Discussion: Club de lectura

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What Members Thought

Jan 02, 2011 Laurentiu Lazar rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2013

This book was "Absolutely,totally,and,in all ways,inconceivable" , haha, not really, but I like that phrase, a lot. Or maybe just a bit, at times.

I've seen the movie before reading "The Princess Bride" so I had some ideas already formed in my head, regarding the plot. What surprised me is that the adaptation was extremely good, with only minor glitches along the way, most likely due to the fact that Goldman wrote the screenplay.

Goldman's side notes/story is confusing at times and the funny part This book was "Absolutely,totally,and,in all ways,inconceivable" , haha, not really, but I like that phrase, a lot. Or maybe just a bit, at times.

I've seen the movie before reading "The Princess Bride" so I had some ideas already formed in my head, regarding the plot. What surprised me is that the adaptation was extremely good, with only minor glitches along the way, most likely due to the fact that Goldman wrote the screenplay.

Goldman's side notes/story is confusing at times and the funny part is that S. Morgenstern is a fictional character, so all the comparisons/stuff said is... a spoof of real life?? compared to a fantasy world? it might have been his idea. So...

...Goldman hates his publishers,jokes regarding his overweight child,criticizes Morgenstern's writing. All this " real life" insiders always came to cut, usually, some of the most action packed scenes. Some may feel a bit of irony since he said "The 'good parts' version abridged by William Goldman", for sure many of us feel disturbed,confused,annoyed by his freaking "abridgement technique", an uniquely writen book.

So here comes the question, why all those interuptions?? Hello?? Inconceivable!!!

Into the book we have chapters that describe Fezzik and Inigo Monoya, backstories which fill up some gaps that the movie has. Other differences that come into my mind are the Zoo of Death, which is totally omitted in the movie and the beginning where Buttercup is way better described.

As for the movie, the interpretation of Vizzini by Wallace Shawn is priceless. Funny like hell. I just keep seeing him shouting the magic word "inconceivable". Billy Crystal's Magic Max character also really memorable, as well as Mandy Patinkin's Inigo Montoya role. Wonderful acting.

"Hello,my name is Inigo Montoya,you killed my father prepare to die."

Cliffs of Insanity, the Fire Swamp,Zoo of Death, Vizzini, Miracle Max,Butercup,The Dread Pirate Roberts ,Humperdinck all names that send you into the imaginative realm of fantasy - fairy tale. For me at least it seemed entertaining.

Two short quotes I liked:
"Life is pain, but life is also true love. Love conquers all."
"Life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death,that's all."

Both movie and book are worthwhile, so if you want an entertaining, fantasy and complex book this is for you. ...more

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Mar 09, 2023 Elena Druță marked it as dnf

Shelves: abandoned

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book is simply horrible.
The author is making fun of every trope possible - hero`s journey, undying love, friendships for life. The writing style is so not my cup of tea. The author`s commentaries are mostly wanna-be-witty phrases, but in reality I was either bored or annoyed or both when he will intervene in the story. The backstory of the characters was also boring and felt flat.
The protagonists are both brainless, one trick pony figures - Buttercup is just pretty (yes, that`s all about he ...more

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