William Goldman's beloved story of Buttercup, Westley, and their fellow adventurers. This tale of true love, high adventure, pirates, princesses, giants, miracles, fencing, and a frightening assortment of wild beasts was unforgettably depicted in the 1987 film directed by Rob Reiner and starring Fred Savage, Robin Wright, and others. But, rich in character and satire, the novel boasts even more layers of ingenious storytelling. Set in 1941 and framed cleverly as an "abridged" retelling of a centuries-old tale set in the ...
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William Goldman's beloved story of Buttercup, Westley, and their fellow adventurers. This tale of true love, high adventure, pirates, princesses, giants, miracles, fencing, and a frightening assortment of wild beasts was unforgettably depicted in the 1987 film directed by Rob Reiner and starring Fred Savage, Robin Wright, and others. But, rich in character and satire, the novel boasts even more layers of ingenious storytelling. Set in 1941 and framed cleverly as an "abridged" retelling of a centuries-old tale set in the fabled country of Florin, home to "Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passions." William Goldman's modern fantasy classic is an exceptional story about quests--for riches, revenge, power, and, of course, true love--that's thrilling and timeless for readers of all ages.
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Seller's Description:
Good. All pages and cover are intact. Possible slightly loose binding, minor highlighting and marginalia, cocked spine or torn dust jacket. Maybe an ex-library copy and not include the accompanying CDs, access codes or other supplemental materials.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. Mass market paperback in ACCEPTABLE condition. Book is perfectly usable, but has heavy wear or cosmetic issues which may include a cocked spine, creased spine, heavy wear, yellowed pages, price stickers, etc. Cover art may be different from that in photo.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. All pages and cover are intact. Possible slightly loose binding, minor highlighting and marginalia, cocked spine or torn dust jacket. Maybe an ex-library copy and not include the accompanying CDs, access codes or other supplemental materials.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. All pages and cover are intact. Possible slightly loose binding, minor highlighting and marginalia, cocked spine or torn dust jacket. Maybe an ex-library copy and not include the accompanying CDs, access codes or other supplemental materials.
There are not enough exclamation points to express how great this book is!!!!! The tongue-in-check introductions from the anniversary editions are just as much fun to read as the book itself!!! Absolutely great read!!!!!
CharlesJ
Jan 25, 2010
An interesting satire
This was definitely a unique kind of story with hilarious satiric wit (if you like that kind of humor). Goldman peppers his narrative with mix-ups of Biblical stories and theological non sequitors, notes on why he "abridged this part of the original Morgenstern novel", and complaints about how his editor wouldn't let him change this-and-such. Reading through these last got tedious after the first two page-long notes, though his italicized remarks on what his reactions were when "his father read the book to him" when he was little were amusing.
Though for the most part the movie version of "The Princess Bride" follows the book, there are significant differences - instead of having his Pit of Despair, Prince Humperdinck has a Zoo of Death; Princess Buttercup's feelings toward Westley actually develop through the story; and the back stories of Inigo, the revenge-obsessed Spaniard, and Fezzik, the slow-witted giant, are told in detail.
The book raises more moral problems than does the movie version, and this was specifically what brought the rating down, as well as the occasional swearing and its irreverence toward God. It is not a book meant to be original: it is a book making fun of a completely cliche storyline...and it does a good job at that.
