"The Princess Bride" First Impressions *No Spoilers*

[Kim]

A constant runner-up finally becomes a club book. Who is looking forward to reading this? Has anyone not heard of The Princess Bride before? Who is reading this for the first time after seeing the movie multiple times? Let us know your first impressions.

[Peggy]

Not to get all hipster on you guys, but discovered The Princess Bride in a used bookstore ages before it was ever made into a movie. I bought it because I recognized William Goldman's name, and thought it was one of the funniest, most wonderful things I had ever read. My cover looks like this, but sadly, I don't have the map in mine:
http://paperandinkandglue.blogspot.co...

I envy anyone who gets to read it for the first time.

[Kori]

Fantastic book! For the first part of the intro I wasn't entirely sure whether the believe the author's story or not.

[Sharon]

this is not my first reading, but it shall be my 5 year old's first experience with it :)

[Coralie]

I have neither read the book before nor seen the movie (I don't do movies).

[Joon]

Peggy wrote: "Not to get all hipster on you guys, but discovered The Princess Bride in a used bookstore ages before it was ever made into a movie. I bought it because I recognized William Goldman's name, and th..."


The book's been revised at least a couple times since that copy (new intros and afterwords which are as much a part of the story as anything else), if you haven't read a recent copy I'd definitely recommend it.


Like most, I'd seen the movie first. But I didn't appreciate the movie that much until I'd read the book.

I don't even remember why I read the book in the first place, but it's become one of my favorites.

[[deleted user]]

I have definitely heard of it, but have for some reason always actively avoided it. Not sure why, maybe I assumed it was not something I would like. Might have to check it out after all

[Evilynn]

I'm one of the few people who haven't seen the movie or read the book. I hope I'll get around to it this month, but I have a copy of The Diamond Age already, so that'll probably take precedence.

[Aaron]

I have seen the movie may 2-3 times, and really enjoy it. I have the 30th anniversary, and when I started reading I was under the impression that William Goldman had written the book under a pen name. I then read the 30th anniversary introduction, and was really confused as he referred to Morgenstern as a real person. I had to do some google research to figure out what was going on. I definitely wouldn't recommend reading the 30th anniversary introduction if you haven't read the book before. He definitely treats the reader as someone re-reading the book. So far I'm enjoying the book. I really enjoy the before/after comments he inserts. It's a witty way of vaguely referring to the time setting of the story.

[Jamie]

I've seen the movie several times, and so far the book isn't adding much to what was in the movie, but it's an enjoyable read.

[David]

The film is a favorite of my children, which, I am sure, I have watched an inconceivable number of times;<). I have never read the book, and think that Goldman does an amazing job establishing the frame (although he gives it away when he puts the ducal state between Germany and Sweden). Since films in this genre are often much better than the books, I’m interested in seeing what someone who is at least equal-parts screenwriter can do (I’ve never read any of his books, although I’ve seen most of his films).

[Jenelle]

David wrote: "The film is a favorite of my children, which, I am sure, I have watched an inconceivable number of times;<). I have never read the book, and think that Goldman does an amazing job establishing the ..."

"You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means."

Just kidding. PB is my favorite movie of all time, and one of the few stories where I just can't decide if I like the book or movie better.

The book is FANTASTIC. I remember this was one of the first books to actually make me laugh out loud while reading it to myself.

[Nuno]

I'm reading the book for the first time, although I saw the movie. But that was so long ago the only thing I remember is that I liked it!
The book is really interesting so far, I love the writing style, so different from the usual. The humor is very good also. I think the sections where reality storms in create a very good comparison effect with the tale, marking two distinct opposites...

[K.R.]

I have been a big fan of the movie for a long time; last year a friend gave me a copy of the book as a birthday present. I enjoyed the book even more, and have voted for it ever since, as I've really wanted to see it discussed on this forum.

Looking forward to reading & sharing impressions.

[Jamie]

I was wondering about the last section, titled "Buttercup's Baby." Is that in every edition? Is it part of the work, or just extra material thrown in my edition?

[Aaron]

Jamie wrote: "I was wondering about the last section, titled "Buttercup's Baby." Is that in every edition? Is it part of the work, or just extra material thrown in my edition?"

It's basically a sequel that the author keeps teasing. I haven't finished the book yet, but there is supposed to be a sample chapter at the end of my copy (30th anniversary edition).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prin...

[Liz]

I've had in my hands 3 different editions*, and they have all included "Buttercup's Baby".

*a mass market paperback movie tie-in, a really nice hardbound that we gave my MIL, and my 30th edition ebook.

[David]

I’m about halfway through, and this is what I have so far: Men are valued for their wealth (Humperdinck) skill (Inigo) strength (Fezzik) intellect (Vizzini) or courage (Johnny Cash). Women are valued (singularly) for their beauty—so much so that this world keeps a list of its top 20. Sounds like the 1950s. Was this part of the satire? If so, why did Goldman make Buttercup so two dimensional?

[David]

Okay, I've finished it (first time).

Goldman pushes pretty hard at the membranes between the story, the story-teller, and the reader. As with the similar device in theater and film, it seems like an attempt (successful, but only entertaining the first couple times) to reveal the deus ex machina (no longer a shock to any of us). Subtle asides (Oliver Hardy’s pregnant stare into the camera) can be amusing, but Goldman is too heavy handed and the narrative frame is a distraction. It’s interesting that he puts Stephen King into the narrative (since King sometimes puts himself into his own narratives). But with King, self-reference is just one more oddity that readers more-or-less accept as their required dues.

Goldman is amusing—in an SNL, mass-market kind of way. He has a couple great lines, which will be repeated as long as anyone remembers the story. But all of those lines are from the story, not the frame.

[Jamie]

David wrote: "Okay, I've finished it (first time).

Goldman pushes pretty hard at the membranes between the story, the story-teller, and the reader. As with the similar device in theater and film, it seems like ..."

I agree the narrative frame is too much and becomes a distraction. I haven't read the last section "Buttercup's Baby" yet, and I'm not sure I will. Anyone want to convince me I should?

[Catherine]

David wrote: "Okay, I've finished it (first time).

Goldman pushes pretty hard at the membranes between the story, the story-teller, and the reader. As with the similar device in theater and film, it seems like ..."

David, I agree that the narrative frame device doesn't really work. If the author had pulled back quite a bit, it would be fine. I found that the movie uses this device much more effectively; I really like the movie better than the book, mostly because of this.

Jamie, I didn't bother reading Buttercup's Baby. Maybe I was just Buttercupped out, but I needed to turn to something else.

[David]

Buttercup is just addenda, and not very good at that. The movie kept the frame simple, and Falk was pretty phenomenal.

[Kim]

I might get you to move this discussion over to the finished reading thread. This thread is for first thoughts.

[Coralie]

Well, I have only just started it. I've read the first 30 pages and so far I'm hating it.

[Joon]

"Buttercup's Baby" is basically just an "X years later" sort of epilogue. It's presented as the first chapter of a sequel, but it's pretty clear from reading it that there was never going to be any such thing.

It is pretty unnecessary. It has an almost fan-fictiony feel to it.

[Matthew]

I have always loved the movie and have been meaning to read the book for a long time. I am only a few chapters in so far but I am definitely enjoying it so far. I was not really familiar with William Goldman previously so I spent the first chapter jumping between the book and his Wiki page to see the differences between his stated life and actual life. I am looking forward to reading more.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

I sort of wish I'd never read the 'Buttercup's Baby' excerpt, to be honest.

In the way of many sequels, it sort of undoes some of what happens, in a way, and, since it's not a real sequel, never wraps them up again.

[Coralie]

I'm halfway through and I'm finding it difficult to believe that people can see anything at all in it to like. If this is the 'good bits' I would hate to read the boring bits (although chapter 4 sounded promising).

[Joon]

Matthew wrote: "I was not really familiar with William Goldman previously so I spent the first chapter jumping between the book and his Wiki page to see the differences between his stated life and actual life."

I gotta believe all that accomplishes is that it ruins the magic of those sections of the book. When I first read the book, I knew nothing of Goldman's personal life, so I was able to fully believe that his family was really as he said it was. Obviously I knew a lot of it was fictitious, since I knew the book itself wasn't real, but believing the family was real at least made those sections more interesting.

[Penny]

I've only read the first few chapters and so far I don't care much for the writing style, namely the comments in parentheses. It feels a bit like he's trying too hard to be clever. I'm not sure when I'll feel inclined to pick this one up again so it might turn into a DNF for me.

[Marjorie]

Penny wrote: "I've only read the first few chapters and so far I don't care much for the writing style, namely the comments in parentheses. It feels a bit like he's trying too hard to be clever. I'm not sure when I'll feel inclined to pick this one up again so it might turn into a DNF for me."

It's worth finishing, Penny. The parenthetical remarks, oddly enough, remind me of Jeff Lindsay's DEXTER books which were made into the famous series on Showtime. I say "oddly enough" because Goldman originated the tactic and Lindsay almost definitely imitated Goldman.

The "overvoice" as it's called in the film media is deliberately there to be snarky but the whole book's supposed to be a satire of sorts. It's not intended to be taken seriously, more....melodramatically :)

I just (finally) requested and received the email from Goldman's "attorneys" regarding why I cannot get the final chapter (or alt. ending or whatever they called it). I find it hilarious that the cult following spawned an entire web site farce about the book's publication--more so that the farce and following and site have been around for a cumulative THIRTY (30) YEARS! If you're not familiar with what I'm referencing, check out Wikipedia for the backstory explanation and links.

-Friday
@phoenicianbooks

[Jen]

I am loving this book. I grew up on the movie (love!) and am thoroughly enjoying reading the book. I'm finding it to be tender, endearing, and very funny. I will have to watch the movie again when I'm finished, as there are things that I'll be able to appreciate after having read the book. Goldman's injections into the story are wonderful, hilarious. After I finish the book, and watch the movie, I'm going to check out The Dharma of the Princess Bride: What the Coolest Fairy Tale of Our Time Can Teach Us about Buddhism and Relationships.

[Allison]

Wow, that's rather a perfect intersection of interests for you! I hope it adds to your reading :)

[Karin]

I just read this in March and because I was hardly on GR in December missed this! I'll check the spoilers thread.

[Cheryl]

(Dec. 2012)

[Cheryl L]

I have just started my reread of the Princess Bride. I believe I originally read it in about 1985 so it's been a minute. I've watched the movie multiple times but had forgotten how completely hysterical and charming the book is.

[Michelle]

Oh, has the buddy read started for this already? I forgot!

[Cheryl L]

Michelle wrote: "Oh, has the buddy read started for this already? I forgot!"

It's in the Rereads for December, and I thought I would get a jump on it since I have several other book club reads for the month. I didn't realize it was also a buddy read.

[Michelle]

You're right, Cheryl- it's the re-read, not buddy read. I'm sorry! My mind is on twenty gazillion things at the moment :)

[Olga]

It's also going to be on VBC on December 17.