The Princess Bride- Read it or not- “As…you…wiiiiiiiiiiish"

This review is part of the "Movie Novelization Write-Off"- check out the links to the other reviews on the book home page.

This book, copyright 1973, is one of the greatest examples of a “has-it-all” book around. It is a wonderful story within a story that won’t fail to delight people of all ages. The introduction starts out with the author reminiscing about his school days, and how this is the best book he has never read (his father always read it to him- using “parental editing”- a technique I discuss later). William Goldman (the author) claims to be writing an abridgement of a story written by “S. Morgenstern” (who doesn’t now, and never did in fact, exist). According to Goldman, S. Morgenstern had a lot of extraneous (and dreadfully boring) history in the book, and left out “good parts” in the narrative. This book includes all of said “good parts” (well, all except one- a mushy reunion scene, but Goldman includes an address where you can write to get it).

The Story (capitalized, because it really is that good) doesn’t start until page 33. We get background information on the Princess Buttercup’s birth, and how she rose to be the most beautiful woman in all the land. She falls in love with a farm boy (Westley), and he with her. After she proclaims her love for him, he tells her he is leaving from London in the morning to seek his fortune in America (because, as the author states, this is “Just after America, but long after fortunes"). He promises to send for her as soon as he has managed enough money to make a home for them. The problem is, he never makes it.

What happened to him on his quest? I won’t give that away.

However, this is one of the greatest books ever written (and no, I am not kidding). It’s not great in the way Shakespeare and Tolstoy are great- it’s great in the way that C.S. Lewis’ "Chronicles of Narnia" are great- extremely clever stories that are written on several levels. The satire and parody are unparalleled, yet it can be enjoyed by children whose parents read aloud to them (with a little “selective editing” by the parent). I think that children ages 8 and up would love hearing this
story- they wouldn’t understand all the levels of comedy (again, some parental editing helps- especially where Goldman inserts his own comments and opinions, because to a child they do nothing for the story).

The most fascinating and clever part of this story for grown ups (in my humble but ever so accurate opinion) is how Goldman interweaves his own (italicized) comments and opinions throughout the story. That sounds like a technique that would be distracting, but it ends up adding a dimension to the story that’s not unlike Uncle Remus’ commentaries while he tells the stories of Brer Rabbit. The book does not take itself to seriously- it doesn’t become ponderous or heavy with moral and allegorical themes, it’s simply a great story, cleverly written and very entertaining.

If you have seen the movie, you really should read the book as well- it’s filled with a lot more detail and clever dialogue. Sure, you’ll already know how it ends, but isn’t the journey itself half the fun?