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Anne's Reviews > The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride
by
by
Anne's review
bookshelves: fairytale, read-in-2009, audio, read-in-2023, adventure-like-stuff, libby-app, magic-stuff, romance, humor
Jan 03, 2009
bookshelves: fairytale, read-in-2009, audio, read-in-2023, adventure-like-stuff, libby-app, magic-stuff, romance, humor
Read 2 times. Last read June 18, 2023 to July 29, 2023.
I was introduced to The Princess Bride through the movie.
And I cannot be the only one.
Here's the thing: it's basically exactly like the movie but with one notable difference.
It's not Grandpa Columbo reading the book to his sick grandson, it's narrated by the author who is editing a book by "S. Morgenstern" to take out all the boring parts so his son will read it.
See, this was his favorite book as a child because his father read it to him. But what he didn't realize at the time was that his father had skipped over all the dull political satire that Morgenstern had written about his native land, Florin.
And it's Goldman's running dialogue throughout the book that really makes this the classic that it is, as he fully immerses himself in Morgenstern's tale.
The rest (minus a few minor things) you already know. Or I would assume you already know because WHO HASN’T seen The Princess Bride movie?!
Recommended for anyone who loves adventure, swordfights, villains, revenge, friendship, magic, and of course…true love.
The End.
And I cannot be the only one.
Here's the thing: it's basically exactly like the movie but with one notable difference.
It's not Grandpa Columbo reading the book to his sick grandson, it's narrated by the author who is editing a book by "S. Morgenstern" to take out all the boring parts so his son will read it.
See, this was his favorite book as a child because his father read it to him. But what he didn't realize at the time was that his father had skipped over all the dull political satire that Morgenstern had written about his native land, Florin.
And it's Goldman's running dialogue throughout the book that really makes this the classic that it is, as he fully immerses himself in Morgenstern's tale.
The rest (minus a few minor things) you already know. Or I would assume you already know because WHO HASN’T seen The Princess Bride movie?!
Recommended for anyone who loves adventure, swordfights, villains, revenge, friendship, magic, and of course…true love.
The End.
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Reading Progress
January 3, 2009
– Shelved
Started Reading
February 5, 2009
–
Finished Reading
June 18, 2023
–
Started Reading
July 29, 2023
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 61 (61 new)
No, that's the old rating. I'd give this 4 stars easily!
This is one of thevery few cases where I really prefer the movie to the book. But then I saw the movie first so maybe the book did not stand much of a chance...
Great review! This is one of my favorites! I always thought the movie is as good as it is because William Goldman also wrote the screenplay 😊
A classic! I listens to Cary Elwes’ As You Wish on audio (he narrates) and it was also an absolute delight.
Pana wrote: "This is one of thevery few cases where I really prefer the movie to the book. But then I saw the movie first so maybe the book did not stand much of a chance..."Well, the movie is a classic in its own right and I actually prefer it, too. But I did love the book!
Elizabeth wrote: "Great review! This is one of my favorites! I always thought the movie is as good as it is because William Goldman also wrote the screenplay 😊"I didn't know that! But that tracks.
Andrea wrote: "A classic! I listens to Cary Elwes’ As You Wish on audio (he narrates) and it was also an absolute delight."What? I had Rob Reiner! I want Elwes! I want Elwes!
Anne wrote: "Andrea wrote: "A classic! I listens to Cary Elwes’ As You Wish on audio (he narrates) and it was also an absolute delight."What? I had Rob Reiner! I want Elwes! I want Elwes!"
No, it's a book BY Cary Elwes about the making of the film, and it's a pure delight, I fully second the recommendation! There are cameos from some of the actors and I think Rob Reiner, although I remember Elwes doing a pretty good impersonation of him too!
Pana wrote: "This is one of thevery few cases where I really prefer the movie to the book. But then I saw the movie first so maybe the book did not stand much of a chance..."I saw the movie first but I love the book just as much, although I do have to pretend the epilogue doesn't exist!
After reading your review I suspect that some of my friends back in the day did not actually read the book and only saw the movie. Because they would tell me it is exactly like the movie and if it was just like the movie why would I read it when there are so many other books to read? Thanks to your review I'll have to put this one back on the to be read list.
Love the review. 🥰Been awhile since I read it. I did find it to be so similar to the movie, I was a little disappointed.
I think if I’d done it in reverse, it would have had so much more impact.
Regardless, still loved the book for the memories it inspired, and the extra details I received.
Thanks for the flashback to an awesome memory.
I was definitely in the ‘saw the movie first’ crowd. (Like 10 times) - I’m glad I read the book later though - I like the fact that Goldstein stuck with his formula. It wasn’t until after I read the book that I realized Morgenstern wasn’t real… boy am I gullible 😀
Lindsay wrote: "No, it's a book BY Cary Elwes about the making of the film, and it's a pure delight, I fully second the recommendation! There are cameos from some of the actors and I think Rob Reiner, although I remember Elwes doing a pretty good impersonation of him too!"Oh! That makes so much more sense. My bad. I can't wait to listen to it!
Lindsay wrote: "I saw the movie first but I love the book just as much, although I do have to pretend the epilogue doesn't exist!"They're FINE! Of course they get away! lol
Ronald wrote: "After reading your review I suspect that some of my friends back in the day did not actually read the book and only saw the movie. Because they would tell me it is exactly like the movie and if it ..."There really are differences and I think you'll enjoy them, but on the whole, the movie follows the book closely.
Robert wrote: "Wove? Twue wove?!?"Mawwiage.
Jai wrote: "Love the review. 🥰Been awhile since I read it. I did find it to be so similar to the movie, I was a little disappointed.
I think if I’d done it in reverse, it would have had so much more impact.
..."
The first time I read it, I thought it was too close. But after going back again, it really is an impressive story.
Gary wrote: "I was definitely in the ‘saw the movie first’ crowd. (Like 10 times) - I’m glad I read the book later though - I like the fact that Goldstein stuck with his formula. It wasn’t until after I read the book that I realized Morgenstern wasn’t real… boy am I gullible 😀"Omygod! Ok, so don't feel bad because I spent way too much time researching whether or not there was a Morgenstern version of this book back in the day. I wondered if I was the only idiot. Thank you!
"Grandpa Columbo" had me rolling. So funny. Thanks for the laugh and so true.
Ha! Glad you got it. I've been watching reruns of Columbo late night to put me to sleep and I've got the detective on the brain. lol
Both the novel and film are very near and dear to my little Gen-X girl heart - but I was not aware Reiner narrated an audio version. Inconceivable! Seems like a great excuse to revisit this.
Oh, it is a great excuse. I would love to have one narrated by the cast but...
Anne wrote: "Gary wrote: "I was definitely in the ‘saw the movie first’ crowd. (Like 10 times) - I’m glad I read the book later though - I like the fact that Goldstein stuck with his formula. It wasn’t until af..."I read somewhere recently that there is a conspiracy theory about this, that some people apparently refuse to accept that Morgenstern is fictional and get quite shirty with booksellers unable to sell them the 'unabridged' version! I'm not sure how true it is but just the thought of it made me laugh!
That's hilarious! I've read that you can send in request to the publisher to get the unabridged book and you'll get a letter back saying that "due to issues with the Morgenstern estate" they can no longer print it. Or something along those lines. It's cute that they kept it up.
I loved the audiobook! We listened to it on car trips when I was young.
I wish I'd thought to do that!
Anne wrote: "That's hilarious! I've read that you can send in request to the publisher to get the unabridged book and you'll get a letter back saying that "due to issues with the Morgenstern estate" they can no..."I love that! I'm quite tempted to try it just to get one to keep! 😂
Alone in discovering this book through the movie? Inconceivable. Great review.
I'll second Cary Elwes "As You Wish". He's got some great stories to tell, especially about Andre the Giant. The guy would eat enough food for a battalion every day, like several whole chickens and multiple bottles of wine. I have not listened to the audiobook but I'd think it could only make it better. Although you may want to flip through the book as well. I remember there being a picture section.
Ok, that one is going to have to go in my audible wish list because I can't find it in any of the 4 libraries on audio. :(
“You seem a decent fellow,” Inigo said. “I hate to kill you.”“You seem a decent fellow,” answered the man in black. “I hate to die.”
AHHHHHH!So many great quotes from this book!
I hated how much of a jerk the narrator was though. Every time I come back to this book, I always find myself skipping over everything with the narrator.
I think I really disliked him the first time I read this, too. I think getting old and crusty has given me more appreciation for him, Aja. I hate to admit that but...
When I read this, I was so confused by the framing device... I was like... is this a narrator or the author? Did he write it? What the...? I'm so gullible, haha
Rae wrote: "When I read this, I was so confused by the framing device... I was like... is this a narrator or the author? Did he write it? What the...? I'm so gullible, haha"Me too! I spent more time than I'd like to admit confirming that Morgenstern wasn't real. You're as gullible as I am, Rae!
Haha... I may have resorted to Google... XD probably shouldn't admit that...
I love that you referred to him as Grandpa Columbo that is how I've always seen him. lol
If you haven't read As You Wish by Cary Elwis, I highly recommend!
Desirai wrote: "I love that you referred to him as Grandpa Columbo that is how I've always seen him. lol"Desirai wrote: "If you haven't read As You Wish by Cary Elwis, I highly recommend!"
So many recommendations for that one! It's going into a pile that I'm planning to listen to it when I break down next year and get audible for a while.
Waitttt so there isn't an original?? Dang shows how easily duped I am lol!I have the Cary Elwis book on audio, yet to listen but...
My boyfriend and I quote this all the time!
Ha! No! But you aren't the only one that he fooled, Jenny.
It was such a compelling framework! Lol
Yeah, he went all in for it. I spent time looking up whether or not this was some book I'd never heard of back in the day, too. Don't feel bad!
I was excited for Buttercups Baby! Now I'm disappointed 😞
Fantastic book. It is just different enough from the movie to stand on its own.
Jenny wrote: "I was excited for Buttercups Baby! Now I'm disappointed 😞"I think he actually wanted to do that, though. He just got writer's block or something.
Was there something lacking in Rob Reiner's narration?