The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure
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About this ebook
William Goldman's modern fantasy classic is a simple, exceptional story about quests—for riches, revenge, power, and, of course, true love—that's thrilling and timeless.
Anyone who lived through the 1980s may find it impossible—inconceivable, even—to equate The Princess Bride with anything other than the sweet, celluloid romance of Westley and Buttercup, but the film is only a fraction of the ingenious storytelling you'll find in these pages. Rich in character and satire, the novel is set in 1941 and framed cleverly as an “abridged” retelling of a centuries-old tale set in the fabled country of Florin that's home to “Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passions.”
Editor's Note
As you wish…
Fans of Rob Reiner’s beloved film adaptation (and who isn’t?) will find the same swashbuckling charm, humor, and romance — and Inigo Montoya — in the original novel.
William Goldman
WILLIAM GOLDMAN (1931-2018) wrote books and movies for more than fifty years. He won two Academy Awards (for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President's Men), and three Lifetime Achievement Awards in screenwriting.
Read more from William Goldman
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Reviews for The Princess Bride
7,035 ratings299 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Inconceivable! In surprised how close the movie that i love is to the book!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I've probably seen the movie a hundred times, but somehow I'd never actually picked up the book before. Not surprisingly, I found it a thoroughly amusing read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I love, love, love the movie so I had to get the book. Ah......!
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Glacial. Deliberately annoying narrator. Occasionally funny. The movie is so much better. > There have been five great kisses since 1642 BC, when Saul and Delilah Korn's inadvertent discovery swept across Western civilization. (Before then couples hooked thumbs.) And the precise rating of kisses is a terribly difficult thing, often leading to great controversy, because although everyone agrees with the formula of affection times purity times intensity times duration, no one has ever been completely satisfied with how much weight each element should receive. But on any system, there are five that everyone agrees deserve full marks. Well, this one left them all behind.> This has gone longer than I planned, so I'm going to repeat the Morgenstern paragraph I interrupted; it'll read better. Over and out.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Princess Bride by William Goldman and read by ROB REINER, what could be better than that! I loved the movie which was so corny and funny that I think is certainly a classic by now. I have watched it a hundred times and all my kids have grown up with it and one of my grown sons has a shirt with a 'My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die" name tag on the tee. It is too funny. What is funny is that everyone knows what it means when he wears it! The book is just as great if not better, and with Rob Reiner reading it is keeps the great hilarity going. The giant rats, the craziness, the love story, the sword play, the silliness just goes on. It was refreshing to hear. I normally don't listen to books because I read so fast, I can have six books or more finished in the time it takes to finish an audio but I wanted to hear it. So, I rented it from the library and played it around the house. I don't regret it at all. I giggled and giggled. I read the book YEARS ago but it had been soooo long ago so I just wanted to 'read' it again. Thanks Mr Goldman for the funny book and Mr Reiner for keeping it that way!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was my second pick for our book club (metafiction). I'd never read the book even though I loved the movie, obviously. I was worried that it might be different from the movie and I would feel major bias and not love it like it deserved, but the movie was an excellent adaptation and tracked well with the book--many things were verbatim. The only reason this gets a 4-star instead of a 5-star is the fat-shaming and the misogyny. There is a part of the book that doesn't make it into the movie about the author's overweight son, and man does the author constantly criticize the kid for his weight. It was hard to read. He also complains about his wife a lot and she seems to be more caricature than fleshed-out human, and of course there's the characterization of Buttercup that is totally great in some places and then falls short in others. There's even a seen where both Westley and Inigo tell Buttercup to just do as she's told, like she's a child. It was infuriating, honestly.Despite these shortcomings I still love this book (and movie): the adventures, the humor (which is even more abundant in the book with the whole metafiction part that's left out), and the romance.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Growing up The Princess Bride was one of my favorite movies. It still is easily in my top 10 favorites, maybe top 5. Even to this day I'll sometimes say movie quotes in conversation (usually "have fun storming the castle" to someone about to tackle a difficult task.) I remember trying to read the book as a kid and failing miserably to get past the introduction. I was too young to appreciate or understand the satire and ended up returning the book to the library choosing instead to stick with the movie. I really don't know why it took me so long to read this book as an adult. For anyone who has no idea what this book is about, here it is described in it's own words:"Has it got any sports in it?""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.""Sounds okay," I said...The framing of the book, a story within a story, is absolutely brilliant and the writing hilarious. The satirical tone reminds me of Pratchett at times. It plays on a lot of common tropes that were less common back when the book was written in 1973. At some point in the middle of the story the tone shifts, many of Morgenstern's asides that I was loving go away and the humor darkens. It's still enjoyable, just be ready.I read the deluxe hardback version of the 30th Anniversary edition. The book is absolutely gorgeous. It's printed on parchment looking paper and illustrated. It also has an extra addition to the story at the end titled Buttercup's Baby. I'm not sure when this was added to the book but it's fun for fans to see what happens after everyone rides off into the sunset.In the end I prefer the movie over the book. You can't beat nostalgia.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Started this in the bath. Next thing you know, the water's cold, my toes are pruned, and I'm 200 pages in -- and hate having to put it down so I can wash up. Too fun.
I ran out of steam a little bit toward the end, but on the whole, very enjoyable. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I honestly prefer the movie on this one. But how could I not give 4 stars to this classic?
I could have done without all the author's interruptions. I get that he is the revisor more than the author, but I don't need to know how many pages he cut due to his boredom with the history and satire of the original author. I just wanted to read the story I love so well in the movie.
That said, the story is all there, and it is wonderful. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is one of the few times that I can say the book and the movie are pure gold.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good to finally see what all the fuss was about. Received as the first book from the Blind Date with a Book Club. Overall quite an enjoyable story, although I didn't find the format as enjoyable. Looking forward to watching the film.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Filed under Books I Should Have Read Already. Underlined. Wonderful. This might well be the first book I've read that the movie is as good as, and vice versa. It helps that Goldman wrote the screenplay and that Reiner was so brilliant in reflecting the vision Goldman so delightfully crafted.I admit reading in the voices of the actors - who wouldn't?! Okay, I know one person who has never seen the movie (note to self: get him a copy!) Iconic.I can't gush enough over this. Why did it take me so long to read???
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It is very unusual for me to find a film or recording of a story that is better than the original book, but this is one of the rare cases. The book is supposed to be the "good parts" version of a classic Florinese novel, as read by a Florinese immigrant to his son in America, and then found by the son for his own son --the middle son being identified with Goldman himself. The truth is that the good parts really are excellent, especially Westley's duel with Inigo and Inigo's final revenge on Count Rugen, but Goldman for some reason included some really heavy-handed humor about an old unhappily married couple unrelated to the main storyline and a few other tiresome patches. When he did the film script, being a genuinely good scriptwriter, he cut all the stupid patches, and what was left really is a "classic tale of true love and high adventure" and some very witty dialog.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I grew up watching this movie and absolutely love it. I thought it was about time to read it. I am not sure if I am biased towards the movie but I did find myself wishing I was watching the movie instead of reading the book! Loved learning a little more about the characters and the story line. I still liked the book, but LOVE the movie
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Great saterical story.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Brilliant!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Love the movie, but adore the book.
The only book within a book I’ve read that has actually worked. A great adventure, but also hilarious commentary on society, publishing AND the film business. I will always have a massive crush on Mr. Goldman, and have to stop myself from emulating him in my own work. (I’m quite fond of the parenthetical aside, you see.) - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5While The Princess Bride is of course a wonderful book in many ways, heartwarming and endearing, I've never really loved the story as much as the rest of the world. I'm glad to say I've read it, and I'm also quite glad it's over.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Chuckles, goofy grins and pure enjoyment.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Upon closing the final page of this book, I said to myself, "Jerk." That's for Mr. Goldman. The last few chapters are part of an unfinished sequel called "Buttercup's Baby." It's kind of doom and gloom. You know how in The Princess Bride when the minutes are ticking away to Buttercup's wedding and she's not worried one bit because she's confident her Westley will save her? And even during the ceremony itself (much abbreviated by the abominable Humperdinck) she is complacent to the last because she knows her Westley will save her? Well, I kept waiting for Goldman to save me; to whisk me off into a fantasy world where everyone is blissfully happy and lives ever after that way. A world where their friendships (all four of them, I mean - Bcup, W, Fezz, and Inigo) and loyalties and love grow into something so unshakeable and monolithic that my heart is on fire. Well, he's a tease and a spoil sport and frustratingly noncommittal. Maybe that's why he's divorced (or is that fiction also?)Anyway, in spite of the author, I still love this story very much and have already begun rewriting the ends (there are many) in my head. So there.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I loved the film. Couldn't finish the book because of the author - the inserts were intolerable. I don't really care if it is a fictional personae; it made the book unpleasant.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I know many people may have seen the well-done film version of the novel. I still believe that the book is more exciting and funnier. I liked the authorial intrusions and high adventure of this page-turner! I read the book before the movie came out as a pre-teen, and I guarantee that the hair-breadth escapes, duels, and dark humor is as thrilling as the movie. The author speaks directly to the reader, unlike the grandfather's retelling to his grandson in the movie. It will always be a favorite book for me, because every chapter lures you to read on.-Breton W Kaiser Taylor
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It is practically CRIMINAL that someone who loves the movie as much as I do is just now getting around to reading the book (in Florin, it probably IS a crime), but here we are. This one has somehow managed to remain on my to-read pile for far, far too long. I think part of me was fearful that reading the book would dull my love for the film, since that has in fact happened with others in the past.Fortunately, William Goldman knows exactly what he is doing. He included just the right parts of the story, in my opinion, though I would like to read the full text some day. Morgenstern's dealings with Florin history sound fascinating and like a fun romp for someone like me. It did take me a while to get comfortable with Goldman's interruptions, as they are much more frequent than the Fred Savage/Peter Falk scenes, but once you get into the rhythm, they become a welcome addition that explains why he trimmed some of Morgenstern's fat.Also in this version is the first chapter of the sequel! I never knew such a thing existed, and I was so worried to even try reading it! But now that I have... I NEED MORE!! Something tells me that between Goldman's age and his previous dealings with the Morgenstern estate, this is all we'll ever get, but it's nice to think that we might get more of little Waverly's life with mom and dad and her ever-present "Shade." Maybe we'll just have to wait for Stephen King to get around to it and finally satisfy those Florinese cousins of his.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Having grown up with the movie, I think I'm biased to like that better. The book was good, and very much like the movie, so they must have done a great job keeping it true to form. Interesting to hear the author's thoughts about the movie, too.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was such great fun. I am so glad I finally picked this one up. It actually brought the movie scenes right back to mind, so it turns out the movie follows the book pretty well with only some scenes cut. I think because of the movie, I could vividly imagine the scenes I was reading. This would be one of those books where I think the movie is just as good as the book. Of course there were some ridiculous, would-never-happen-realistically, scenes but that's what gives it most of it's charm. If you haven't read this book or watched the movie, do so as soon as possible. You won't regret it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I read this as a teenager and was charmed by the sarcasm and wit. I would read it three times a month. Truly the best fairy tale ever.
Lexile: 870 - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Basically, it's the movie in prose, but better because the book is always better!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What a fun book.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Great book.