The Princess Bride
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I don't understand....
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I think part of it may be wanting to believe...most days I know I wish it were real :)
Okay call me stupid but when i first read it I believed it was true. Because I read William Goldman's introduction and everything and I believed him because he said it was real, and he wrote it so convincingly. Obviously now I know it's not, and that was a serious let down to me, but hurt to think that he lied to his readers in the introduction. For the gulible people, or ones who just want to believe it no matter want, it is very easy to think it's all real
I think it's more a matter of the power of his writing, his power of persuasion. Also, there is a romance to believing in the story. In any story, really, whether it is based in quantifiable fact or only in truth with a lower case 't'. If a writer can make you feel that you are There, that it's all going on and that the last page is an ending to more than a story, that's real. Not literally, of course. But there is a power to the figurative that if overlooked is detrimental.
Having seen the film first, I never believed the book was real, or based on reality. Also, I've studied fairy-tales (a misnomer if there ever was one, since the original fairy-tales are NOT children's fare and are pretty gory) and recognized many of the key words and key phrases he used. I loved the book and love the film. Favorites in both counts.
Goldman's unusual and clever device of passing off fiction as non-fiction made the book more enchanting for me and I wouldn't have changed a thing. I remember reading reviews many, many years ago debating the existence of Morgenstern. I'm glad to see people are still talking about what Goldman did, because I thought it was genius.
Gaenolee wrote: "Having seen the film first, I never believed the book was real, or based on reality. Also, I've studied fairy-tales (a misnomer if there ever was one, since the original fairy-tales are NOT childr..."I've seen the movie and loved it -- the book is on my "to read" list. After reading what you have written, I think I will move it further up in list!
If you love the movie, the book is definitely worth a read. I was able to get it from my library for the ereader. It was fun and you have to read all of it!
The Princess Bride is a beautifully crafted story that fires the imagination and let's us believe in fairy tale romance. Planning a re~read of the book for sometime this year.
PlumJo wrote: "I think part of it may be wanting to believe...most days I know I wish it were real :)"Me too! Its so much more fun than real life after all :)
I first read the book as a teenager and believed all of it. It never occurred to me to verify the facts of the story. I just loved it! And I still do!I re-read the book every 2-3 years and I always enjoy it as much as the first time.
And sad to say, I realized only recently that the introduction was made up. It was like finding out that Santa Claus doesn't exist :(
The Princess Bride is written to make u laugh..it is a book that is unique in it's own right..William Goldman was a genius, he integrated himself into the story to make it seem as if it was created in a front of fireplace on cold, winter's night by an elderly grandfather...It simply magical..a must read...
Ana Belinda wrote: "The Princess Bride is written to make u laugh..it is a book that is unique in it's own right..William Goldman was a genius, he integrated himself into the story to make it seem as if it was created..."I agree with every word, especially "magical" :)
Chanouel wrote: "Ana Belinda wrote: "The Princess Bride is written to make u laugh..it is a book that is unique in it's own right..William Goldman was a genius, he integrated himself into the story to make it seem..."Thanks..:).,u just have to enjoy the book...it's kindda silly analyzing it...;)
I think that many people open books ready to throw themselves into a new world. I personally thought that Morgenstern existed. It wasnt until after I finished the book that I thought to research the history. The way that Goldman crafted his book was genius.
Ana wrote: "I think that many people open books ready to throw themselves into a new world...."Isn't that the whole point? That is my only purpose when I open a fiction book. I dont want to over analyze it. I just want to get lost in another world and escape the real one for a while. Not all books achieve that, but Princess Bride did that beautifully.
Loved the movie, hated the book. Wesley is kind of a jerk in the book.
I had a few students read this book after watching the film. They came to me looking for other books by S. Morgenstern and I had to smile. They actually took the let down pretty well and liked the inside joke of the book.Wesley is a bit meaner in the book, but that's only becuase, as I read it, Buttercup was a hell of a lot dumber! But the book is still a fantastic read, and a beautiful movie.
I just love the little asides for historical help like "this was after fashion but before Paris".
Annemarie wrote: "I had a few students read this book after watching the film. They came to me looking for other books by S. Morgenstern and I had to smile. They actually took the let down pretty well and liked the ..."Hello..books and movies are like sphagettis..anyone can do it but it takes a really talented chef to make it unforgettable..That's why if I can help it, I prefer to watch the movie first, then read the book after..it saves me from the disappointment w/c more often than not, comes after watching it..but the movie "Princess Bride" wasn't that bad..it did not win a grammy but it did somehow gave life to the book's character's..
Chanouel wrote: "Ana wrote: "I think that many people open books ready to throw themselves into a new world...."Isn't that the whole point? That is my only purpose when I open a fiction book. I dont want to over ..."
Hi..I totally agree w/ u..Reading..It's my Eden..my Oasis..I really see no point analyzing books unless I'll earn a grade or was paid to pick apart something that was created purely because he wanted to share/tell a story..
Ana Belinda I think you misunderstood me. I'm not insulting either iteration of Princess Bride. When I wrote "I smiled" it was merely an expression saying that I thought my students were cute or funny. I was actually really happy that after watching a film they wanted to read the book.Also, and not to be the jerk who is nit-picky, Princess Bride could never win a grammy, it's a film. Those win Oscars, or Academy Awards.
Jo wrote: "Goldman's unusual and clever device of passing off fiction as non-fiction made the book more enchanting for me and I wouldn't have changed a thing. I remember reading reviews many, many years ago d..."Exactly!
Annemarie wrote: "I had a few students read this book after watching the film. They came to me looking for other books by S. Morgenstern and I had to smile. They actually took the let down pretty well and liked the ..."ooppss!sorry ms.annemarie!but it wasn't meant for your post..it was for a previous one..i wrote abt the grammy thing because cary elwes' singing..again so sorry..
Annemarie wrote: "I had a few students read this book after watching the film. They came to me looking for other books by S. Morgenstern and I had to smile. They actually took the let down pretty well and liked the ..."ooppss!sorry ms.annemarie!but it wasn't meant for your post..it was for a previous one..i wrote abt the grammy thing because cary elwes' singing..again so sorry..
Ana Belinda wrote: "Annemarie wrote: "I had a few students read this book after watching the film. They came to me looking for other books by S. Morgenstern and I had to smile. They actually took the let down pretty w..."Ana, not a problem. But now I'm having brain freeze, when did Cary sing in PB? I'm actually seeing this film next week on the big screen, very very excited as I've only seen this on DVD.
Cary Elwes sings in Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Ella Enchanted.
Annemarie wrote: "Ana Belinda wrote: "Annemarie wrote: "I had a few students read this book after watching the film. They came to me looking for other books by S. Morgenstern and I had to smile. They actually took ..."hello annemarie..he didn't when i wrote it..i was not really paying that much attention to the thread..what I wanted to say..the actors may not win any awards but they did ok..sowie..it was 3 am..:)
Annemarie wrote: "Ana Belinda wrote: "Annemarie wrote: "I had a few students read this book after watching the film. They came to me looking for other books by S. Morgenstern and I had to smile. They actually took ..."I wish I could get a copy here..I wanted my sons to watch it..it's hilarious and they will be reading it in school soon..
Ana Belinda wrote: "Annemarie wrote: "Ana Belinda wrote: "Annemarie wrote: "I had a few students read this book after watching the film. They came to me looking for other books by S. Morgenstern and I had to smile. T..."You can always cruise youtube, they have pretty much all the films up there.. of course they aren't supposed to but...
Ok, so when I read the book I didn't think Floren or Guilder existed, but I did believe the prologue story about his search for the book by S. Morgenstern (I was in high school). It wasn't until several years later that I realized S. Morgenstern was Goldman's pen-name, and that absolutely cracked me up). I applaud his cleverness and wit, since his book is in the "Fiction" section of every book store and library, I don't see it as him "lying" in the prologue, it's just another part of the story, just like the parts in the movie where you see the grandpa reading to his grandson, it's all a part of the story, it's all a part of what makes the story so much fun and even more relatable (why is it telling me "relatable" isn't a word?)
Expecting the author to explain in a preface ahead of his preface that the preface which follows is entirely invented would destroy the effect entirely. Not to mention, would it really be all that reassuring? Who could say if the preface to the preface isn't as fictional as the rest - will that need a preface too?
In other words, there's nothing you can do as an author of something like this except to trust that your reader is going to get the joke. Sometimes a delay in doing so can even be gratifying for the reader. I was similarly hoodwinked by "The Theory and Practice of Gamesmanship" for the first couple of chapters before the lightbulb went on, so I'm as gullible as anyone.
C.e. wrote: "Expecting the author to explain in a preface ahead of his preface that the preface which follows is entirely invented would destroy the effect entirely. Not to mention, would it really be all tha..."
Well said! I love the concept!
I figure if an author is able to inspire me to suspend my disbelief (which is typically full of cyisim) (I wish they had spell check on here lol) then well done. In this case, VERY well done.
I would also like to note that his introduction is definatly a recognized writting structure and one like it was used in "The Turn Of The Screw". As long as it is shelved in the fiction section, I am good lol.
A novel within a framework that is also fiction is a common 19th century literary device.So is the habit of giving real countries fictional names.So I never took the 'inner' story as anything other than fable, and was suspicious of truth of the 'outer' one too (and promptly checked).
On the other hand I never believed Alexandre Dumas' statement that he took the story of The Three Musketeersfrom the memoirs of the Comte de la Fere either! *blushes*
Adam wrote: "...how people could actually believe that Morgenstern exists. Floren and Guilder are currencies, and it doesn't take more than a cursory look at a globe to realise they don't exist.
I also don't..."
Sometimes people think those bits of the book are written by the author and automatically skip them.
I first read the book when I was about 9 and I made that mistake.
Just a note to say I read The Princess Bride to my nephew when he was about 8 or so -- the age of the little boy in the movie. What was so funny is that WITHOUT fail, he interrupted me at the EXACT moment the boy interrupts his grandfather, and in every case with the exact complaint: "NO, Tiger. Not kissing. Skip the kissing parts." "NO Tiger! She can't die!"I'd already read the book and seen the movie, but it was fun to discover how perfectly timed and true to life the boy's interruptions were.
Growing up, I watched the movie and it has remained one of my all time favorites. When I read the book, I knew that it was a story. But, being the optimistic and imaginitive person that I am, I let Goldman's wonderful storytelling talent draw me into "Morgenstern"'s world. I enjoyed how Goldman constantly referred to Morgenstern and spoke of how he "abridged" the "Florinese" version. I thought it was hilarious and thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Floren and Guilder are currencies, and it doesn't take more than a cursory look at a globe to realise they don't exist.
I also don't understand how people could skip the pro/epi-logues and the 'William Goldman' interruptions - as the whole point of the book, as I see it, is the comparison between real life and fairy-tales, the fate of 'true love and high adventure' in the real world.