By William Goldman
The Princess Bride is not only a classic book, but more famously a cult classic movie. I watched the movie before reading the book, and in both cases I didn’t actually like them the first time around. The second time – I realized their comedic genius. Now it has become a yearly re-read, and one of my favourite books.
Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles! This book has it all.
--in the farthest corner of the Great Square--
--in the highest building in the land--
--deep in the deepest shadow--
--the man in black stood waiting--
It begins with the history of the most beautiful women in the world. A French scullery maid named Annette, who abandoned her beauty to run away with a pastry chef and live happily ever after. Aluthra, who unfortunately did not come through pox plague unscathed and Adela Terrell whose worrying was her downfall.
This book takes its merry time adding in comedic bits and histories that I enjoy more each time I read it. The characters and settings are vibrant – everyone has witty banter and humour. From Buttercup’s parents who enjoy having their spats, to the Princess Noreena whose hat mishap nearly starts a war between Florin and Guilder.
Now Westley knew that she meant to say “not a single syllable of it”, because a syllabub was something you ate, which ream and wine mixed in together to form the base. But he also knew an apology when he heard one. So he held her very close, and shut his loving eyes, and only whispered, “I knew it was false, believe me, every single syllabub.”
Buttercup is a spunky young woman who just wants to be left alone by the village boys. Westley is the devoted servant turned fortune seeker, turned Pirate? Humperdinck is a rather terrifying prince, whose Zoo of Death is shudder inducing. We jump back in time to find out the history of Inigo Montoya and Fezzik.
Despite the frequent interruptions William Goldman makes to explain the ‘history’ or talk about the adjustments he had to make to S. Mogernstern’s original classic, the plot moves quickly. It is nearly impossible to not read in one sitting, or read the funniest bits aloud to whoever is nearest.
The six-fingered sword was done.
Even in the hut’s darkness, it glistened.
“At last,” Domingo whispered. He could not take his eyes from the glory of the sword. “After a lifetime. Inigo. Inigo. I am an artist.”
If you have not read the book yet, I definitely recommend it! My version is the 30th Anniversary Edition and includes beautiful illustrations. At the end of the book is a very fun bit about Goldman’s search for ‘Buttercup’s Baby’, S. Morgenstern’s sequel. When you get to the ending of the Princess Bride you might think that’s a cliffhanger -it is much different than the movie- but the chapters of ‘Buttercup’s Baby’ end on a much worse cliffhanger. I don’t want to spoil it for you, so all I can say is that you need to read it for yourself!
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