Check out my review of Goldman's work on my blog at: http://8bookcases.blogspot.ca/2012/12/the-princess-bride-by-william-goldman.html

The “Princess” is Buttercup, a beautiful young girl who lives with her parents on a farm in the fictitious country of Florin, where old Lotharon and Bella are King and Queen. She falls in love with her family’s “Farm Boy” named Westley, who also adores her. He then leaves to seek his fortune in America so they can marry, but she later receives word that his ship is attacked at sea by the Dread Pirate Roberts and assumes that Westley is dead. After several years, Buttercup agrees to marry the evil Prince Humperdinck, the heir to the throne of Florin. But before the wedding, Buttercup is kidnapped by a trio of outlaws, the Sicilian criminal genius Vizzini, the Spanish fencing master Inigo Montoya, and the giant Turkish wrestler Fezzik. However, a masked “Man in Black” follows them up the Cliffs of Insanity. In the ensuing battles, Inigo and Fezzik are defeated and Vizzini is killed. But why was Buttercup kidnapped in the first place? Who is this mysterious “Man in Black” and what are his plans? And will the Prince ever find Buttercup to marry her? This fantasy novel, combining elements of comedy, adventure, romance, satire, and fairy tale, is said to be a spoof of swashbuckler movies. Author William Goldman is primarily a Hollywood screenwriter who is best known for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men. Several years ago, some friends of ours brought us the 1987 film by Rob Reiner that is based on the book, and except for one little scene through which they fast forwarded, I think because of the language, we enjoyed the movie, and I have always wanted to read the book. The plot of the novel is sometimes a little confusing with all the flashbacks, sub-plots, and Goldman's "commentary" asides. In this respect, the movie is perhaps a little easier to understand than the book because the former follows the action more directly. It would appear that Goldman is a much better screenwriter than he is a novelist. The Princess Bride is presented as Goldman's abridgment of an older version by "S. Morgenstern", which was originally supposed to be a satire of the excesses of European royalty but is in fact entirely Goldman's work. Both Morgenstern and the "original version" are fictional and used as a literary device. Goldman's personal life, as described in the introduction and commentary of the novel, is also fictional. The basic theme of the book seems to be that “life isn’t fair,” and the narrative sometimes tends towards “absurdism,” a form of literature which has never really interested me. There is a great deal of bad language in the book, more than I remember in the film, with cursing (the “h” and “d” words appear occasionally), profanity (the terms God and Jesus are frequently used as interjections), and assorted crudities (such as calling someone an a**hole and a “son of a b****, as well as even using the “s” word once—by a kid, no less). I guess that it doesn’t surprise me that a modern Hollywood screenwriter would do this and somehow consider his work as “a traditional piece of children’s literature.” Uh, I’m sorry, but I cannot recommend the book for children. In addition to the language, there are scenes of heavy drinking and drunkenness, and at least a couple of threats of suicide. Children can read about how “life isn’t fair” without all that baggage. The latest edition also contains the purported abridgement of the first chapter of the sequel, Buttercup’s Baby. At the end are some “Questions and topics for discussion,” but honestly, even though there is an interesting story hidden in there somewhere, I really don’t see anything that is actually worth discussing.

I always say books are better then the movie, this one is no different. William Goldman had me laughing all the way through. I even totally bought into the S. Morgenstern back story, the writing made it all so real.

The Princess Bride is a fantasy book about love, princesses, princes, pirates, giants, fighting and more. The author, William Goldman, had taken the original book (by Florinese author, Morgenstern) and edited out all of the "boring parts". Throughout the book he comments on which parts he is skipping. I thought Goldman's comments were irritating but the story was very well written. It was easy to read and faced paced with lots of action, romance, and humour.

I had to read this in grade 9 for a novel study and I actually kind of liked it. It is a classic and is really different and very enjoyable. I would recommend picking it up at the library since it is the kind of thing I wouldn't read over and over again.

I was apprehensive about reading this novel, but it turned out to be very entertaining. Some parts had me laughing out loud, and the story flows fairly easily from one part to the next. Goldman's writing took a few pages to get fully used to, but once the novel gets going it's all good. Very good novel and I'm glad that I read it.

This is an exceptional book. The movie is great, but the book is better. It includes all the parts of the story the movie makers were forced to cut out due to time and budget constraints. For example more back story on Westley, Buttercup, Fezzik and Inigo. Also the one part that Goldman desperately wanted to include but couldn't.... the Zoo of Death. Definately worth buying to read again and again and again.

I grew up watching the movie, and was not sure whether I'd find reading the book after the fact boring. But it is a must read for all of the movie fans! There are so many parts of the book that were not in the movie that the material is fresh and often unexpected. And of course if is absolutely hilarious! I enjoyed it a hundred times more than the movie simply because it lasts longer.

I've always loved this movie, since I was a little kid. I was astonished to learn that it was actually based on a real book! "S. Morgenstern" is a completely fictional character in Goldman's imagination. Goldman supposedly found a manuscript for the book "The Princess Bride," but it contained pages and pages of garbage... for example, ramblings of the many hats and accessories of Buttercup's rich and spoiled Mother. Goldman writes his own text in one colour, while leaving the original author's words in another. Of course, in reality, the whole thing is written by Goldman, but it's a fabulous gimmick. It lets him slip in details or skim over portions of history by claiming to be doing us a favour cutting out all this boring detail and digressions of an aging author.

This is a great story but a lousy edition - it is too small and the paper is really cheap. Really poor quality. If you like to buy books for the feel as much as the content, then this is not the book for you. Try a different edition or publisher.