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kelly_'s review against another edition
4.0
It is the book from which he adapted the screenplay.
There has been criticism of the book, which is fair to some extent. Namely the details around Florinese culture and locations, given Goldman had very little knowledge of it despite his dad’s history, so he just took out what he felt were long, boring descriptions.
What I liked about this 25th anniversary edition is the revised introduction and editor notes so we understand the decisions he made at the time, including a passage at the end where he talks about Stephen King being approached to adapt Buttercup’s Baby because he has family ties to Florin and visited regularly.
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
221bpinkst's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Minor: Bullying, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
headinthepages's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
frannydo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Torture
Minor: Racial slurs
britwalsh16's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
"My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die."
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: War
teyn's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Ableism, Racial slurs, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
mbrogs2024's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
bookycnidaria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Torture and Violence
Minor: Racism
r_j_setser's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
After growing up with the movie and still watching it several times a year, quoting "I'm not a witch, I'm your wife" quite often to my husband, and randomly exclaiming "Anyone want a peanut?" throughout my days; I've finally read the book. And I can't believe that it took me so long to do so.
This is a work of satirical art and I haven't laughed this hard at a book in I don't even know how long. That being said, do not take this book seriously. You can't, or you'll walk away from it deeply offended and irritated. I've never had a work of fiction make me question my reality, but here we are. I won't include spoilers in case you'd like to experience the brilliance of Goldman's 25th and 30th anniversary introductions for yourself, but just know: he got me.
The Princess Bride is meant to be read aloud and I want to immediately start it with my husband. That being said, however, there were a few things that would make me hesitant to read aloud to kids without interjecting (as Goldman's father often did with him). The main thing being how often Buttercup gets slapped and it being okay. Once again, this is satire and it is humorously exaggerating the toxic masculinity and helpless femininity tropes and I believe it's supposed to make you uncomfortable (because that's what satire does), but as I mentioned earlier if you take it seriously, you will walk away from this book offended.
Overall, this is a book that any lover of the movie needs to experience at least once! I wasn't expecting the book to be too vastly different from the movie, but it is. They are each works of art and I can't say that either is "better" than the other. If you love the movie, you also need to read the book, but only because there is more to the story than you could possibly imagine! As it is, this book is so unique and unlike any other (that comes to my mind) that I can't rate it anything but 5 stars, but I do recommend it with caution: you need to understand satire.
Content warnings: Cursing: one use of "SOB" and occasional minor words. No gore, very minor action. And only a couple mention of kisses. Other warnings would include some intense nightmares, animal cruelty, and various discriminations.
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, and Torture
Minor: Child death and Suicide