Rating: 
Summary: Delightful and Charming
Review: "Wait a minute, wait a minute....Is this a kissing book?" Well, yes and no...you'll just have to read it to find out for yourself.William Goldman is a legend in the world of screenwriting, known for his clever, crisp dialogue and engrossing narrative, so why should his novels be any different? Utterly charming, 'The Princess Bride' combines action, adventure, plenty of swordplay, and yes, some kissing....Those of you who only saw the movie (also writen by Goldman -- see my DVD review) are missing out on many of the delights of the book, notably on the developed backstory of the characters and the clean, wry prose. Here's a bit of trivia: First, there is NO S. Morgenstern -- he is made up, fictitious, a red herring...accept it and move on. Second, Mr. Goldman will send you a lost section if you write to his address and request it (the one of mentions in the book)! When I first read that 10 years ago, I wrote to the company mentioned in the book and was delighted to receive my bonus section! (Hey, Mr Goldman if you are reading this, I lost my copy 3 years ago when I moved to LA! Could you please send me another one? ) :) Cherish this book and keep it to share with your children.
Rating:
Summary: INCONCEIVABLE!!
Review: The greatness of this book is truly, in the word's of Vizzini "INCONCEIVABLE!" What's this book about? Fencing, fighting, true love, strong hate, harsh revenge, a few giants, lots of bad men, lots of good men, pain, death, brave men, coward men, escapes, lies, truth, passion, miracles. It's hilarious, heart breaking, and terrifying all at the same time. If none of that sounds good to you, or if you've seen the movie and didn't like it, don't read the book. If you liked the movie, the book is twice as good! Who's the genius behind this incredible book? The answer is simple, William Goldman (which is another whole story in its self). If you look at the book you'll read: "S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure. The "good parts version" abriged by William Goldman." In Goldman's introduction he explains how when he was a ten years old and was home sick with pneumonia, his father read him the book. (Sound farmiliar? If you're remembering the scene between the grandfather and the boy in the book you're right.) His father was a poor, English struggling immigrant from Florin, the setting of the Princess Bride. His father explains how Morgenstern was a great writer in his country and that there it is a very famous book. Goldman obviously loves the book. As a man, Goldman decides to give the book to his son, Jason for his tenth birthday. After putting in an enormous amount of time and money to track down the book, to his shock the son hates it. In turn, he decides to re-read the book for himself. What he discovers is that his father didn't actually read him the whole book, he only read him the good parts. The book in fact was not even really focussing on the story he heard, it's actually all about the history of Florin. Goldman decides to abridge the book with only the "good parts." Everything I have just told you is a lie and it will drive you crazy the whole book! William Goldman did not in fact "abridge" the book he wrote the book. He invents Florin, he invents Jason, he invents everything! Why such a brilliant writer would completely give all the credit to another writer who never existed I will never understand. The book is filled with clever and hilarious "abridgement notes" from Goldman. Not only are they funny to read, they keep you on top of things so you never are confused or find yourself searching back for explanations. If you don't like this sort of thing, don't worry they're written in a way that can be easily skipped. You can read about all of the plot in any other review, but in a couple of sentences: Buttercup falls in love with the gorgeous Farm Boy. He goes off to America to seek their fortune. Buttercup learns that he dies. She is forced to marry the awful Prince even though she vows never to love again. Buttercup gets kidnapped... this is just the beginning! If I go any farther I'll give it away! If this sounds like a stupid fairy tale to you TRUST ME its not! Sure, it's about love, but in between revenge, poison, a man obsessed with human pain, death, duels, well I think you get the idea. As if all of this isn't enough! There is something special about this addition you can't find anywhere else. If you want to read a great story about true love, victory, defeat, pain and if you want a book that will make you laugh out loud, cry, or tremble with fear this is THE book. I truly think I can honestly say there is no other book like it. I would would put it against any of the great fantasty story writer, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis anyday! It goes ten times faster than any of the Lord of the Rings and is in my opinion just as exciting if not more. One tip, if you haven't watched the movie READ THE BOOK FIRST! It's got so many exciting turns and such an incredible ending, don't ruin it for yourself like I did.
Rating: 
Summary: The only person in the western world to not like this book
Review: I bought this book based on my love of the movie and universal raves from everyone. I haven't been this disappointed since I bought The Natural, (another screenplay that out did the original). William Goldman wrote the screenplay so I have no fault with him but where the movie was sharp and crisp, the book was too wordy, and (apparently only to me) lacking in virtually all I found romantic and exciting in my pre-reading the book experiences of The Princess Bride. I'm sure no one will find this review helpful but atleast I know that Mr Goldman can write a damn good screenplay from a subpar original story.
Rating:
Summary: The classic story of true love vs evil
Review: This book was gifted to me by my girlfriend, and at first I was skeptical about it. I had not seen the movie, and being an avid science fiction reader and writer, the fairy tale concept seemed like a bit of a "girl thing". However, once I delved into its pages, I discovered I couldn't have been more wrong. This is a fantastic novel for everyone, people of all ages. The delightful charm of the story, the epic saga it unfolds to tell, and the spontaneous hilarity covers a plethora of genres; Which guarantees a fast-paced, exciting and truly amazing book that will satisy all-comers. The Princess Bride tells the story of a common girl, who falls in love with an even commoner boy, but marries an exceptionally cruel Prince, without any choice. The boy, now grown into a dashing hero, comes to claim back his true love - but not without a vast adventure before him. This 25th Anniversary Collectors Edition in hard back is the best version to buy, and saves it as a story that you will read to your children, and them to theirs, as Goldman describes himself doing in the introduction. A timeless classic, and one that will remain as one of the greatest tales for generations to come.
Rating:
Summary: This book was a significant emotional event for me.
Review: I first read this book when I was fifteen. I've gone through four copies (mostly due to unreturned loans), and I've practically memorized it over the past fifteen years. The book has a great premise of being written by Morgenstern and read to the author as a child, and a wonderful message for anyone who wonders what happened to the fairy-tale endings they never found when they grew up. Goldman's conversational style gives the book an intimacy. The reader really feels like they *know* him. I've read almost all of his other books, and this seems, to me, to be the most polished and sensitive. It's very subtle and charming, and then--wham!--a line like "Life isn't fair; it's just fairer than death, that's all." That's one of my all-time favourite quotes. The movie did a good job of giving a cartoon-like, fun feeling to the story, but I thought the author's interjections and his cynical observations were quite moving, especially when contrasted with the happily-ever-after flavour of Westley & Buttercup's romance. The movie caught the basic "good parts" storyline, but the book has more to offer. I recommend it for anyone who's wondering "Hey...is this all there is??" Somehow, Goldman's book, The Princess Bride, makes you feel better about the answer. (P.S. - I've got the "alternative reunion scene" if anyone wants to read it...)
Rating:
Summary: S. Morgenstern, take a bow
Review: I grew up on the movie The Princess Bride, and so naturally I couldn't wait to be completely blown away by the novel. After having read it, I can now truthfully say that the movie, however exceptional it is, does not do the book justice. How could anyone ever make a movie based on a masterpiece? Don't get me wrong-I love the movie, but the book is simply a triumph.
The story tells of Buttercup, the milkmaid destined to become the most beautiful woman in the world, and her love, the farm boy Wesley, who will defy all logic, reasoning, and even death to find her. S. Morgenstern tells their story with wit, humor and charm. William Goldman' abridgment comments allow a brief understanding of Morgenstern's comments and thoughts, a breath of air, before the reader plunges back into the book.
This is a tale that anyone, young or old, can enjoy. It is stories like these that the soul thrives on.
Rating:
Summary: Not exactly an epiphany¿but definitely entertaining.
Review: First of all, the whole idea of the "good parts" version of a classic text is hilarious. I wish there was a good parts version of some of the real classics...Goldman's parenthetical statements and commentaries about the original text are what make this book worth reading. His creative comments about the academic interpretations (and his subsequent translations into real people ideas/language) are down right hilarious. Anyone who has ever been up for thesis review or worked in an academic environment can appreciate this to some extent. I especially loved his little comments here and there about the sexes and cultural mores, like his statement about hairdressers and how they have existed from the beginning of time. He says that Adam was the first hairdresser but that the translators of the King James version of the bible did their best to muddle that fact. Too funny! His clever wit and the way he so adroitly bleeds the traditional fairytale of excessive romanticism is great. The movie does not do this book justice. Who would have thought of a princess who never bathes and has goobers behind her ears??? And Buttercup's conversations with people (especially her first conversations with Westly and then the first encounter with Humperdinck) are curt, practical, and free of that overly emotional, utterly feminine heroine stereo-type (for fairytale princesses, anyway). There is a flavor of underlying bitterness in this story and I don't think it's a great fiction to say that Goldman himself has had less than a fairytale love life. His dedication to the dire (not so happily ever after) reality of romantic love in the context of "good parts" is the ultimate satirical element of the story.
Rating:
Summary: This is a great book that everyone should read
Review: This is a classic book. After you read it you want every book to be this exciting and fun and romantic. I have read this book more times then I can remember. If you read this book you will feel the same way. This is such a great classic that will forever remain in my library.
Rating:
Summary: Five stars are not enough!
Review: When I purchased this book I had heard of the movie, The Princess Bride, although I had never seen it. And I had no idea it was even based upon a book until I saw it in my local bookstore. I bought the book, came home and started reading it and almost immediately came to the Amazon website to order the "original" by S. Morgenstern. I thought, well I'd rather read the original and then I'll go back and read William Goldman's abridgement. Oh brother, it was only then I realized I'd been fooled just like so many other readers! This book is one of the best I've ever read. The way that William Goldman has made it a story in a story is so ingenious and so very, very funny. I laughed out loud so many times while reading it. The tale about the beautiful Buttercup and her true love, Westley, and their rocky road to happiness is a wonderful story of adventure all on it's own. But when you factor in Mr. Goldman's narrative it makes it a rare treat indeed. His wit is outstanding!! So much of the book is tongue-in-cheek humor that it is easy to be fooled. And the humor even extends to the book reviews as there is included in the first pages of the book a review from a bogus Professor Shog Bongiorno who is supposedly an authority on the writings of S. Morgenstern. And of course there is no such author! If you have never read this book you are missing a delightful experience. There aren't too many books that I will read more than once but this will definitely be one of them! :)
Rating: 
Summary: The Princess Bride is a good book.
Review: The Princess Bride by William Goldman is a truly remarkable book. At the beginning of the book you think, oh, this is just another fairy tale.But to tell you the truth, I thought this book had many twists. The vocabulary is strong so it's not just another quick and childish book. I think a lot of people would enjoy this book because it doesn't just focus on one genre. Some parts of the book could be romantic while other parts are action. I was never bored reading this book. For the most part, I was filled with suspense. The Princess Bride is a book that will make you think differently about fairy tales.
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