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bookycnidaria's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Violence
Minor: Racism
r_j_setser's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- 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
"True love is the best thing in the world, except for cough drops."
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, and Torture
Minor: Child death and Suicide
queenneehola's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Fatphobia and Misogyny
sarah_zaffiro's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Torture, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Fatphobia, Racism, and Kidnapping
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and War
rmesquirrel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
I know the book was written like 50 years ago but, there are so many slurs. This book rambles on and really had no logically sense to why things were written the way they were even if Goldman was trying to make it seem like he was adapting from an original and changing it to fit a narrative that his Dad told him and he is trying to make an even better version for his son. Ehhh... go rent the movie. It is one of the rare occasions it is better. It changed a lot of the book. Besides the language the movie made it so much more concise and made more sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
kristinebennett's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
bearystarry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
William Goldman is insufferable. At least his fictionalized self is. Horrific fatphobia and sexism and being creepy about young women.
At least when he shuts the hell up the actual story is sometimes thrilling and interesting and romantic. But the sexism especially creeps into the main narrative as well, unfortunately. I definitely think the movie is better in most ways, but mainly in the framing device. Would've been awful to see some weirdo middle-aged man trying to cheat on his wife in LA instead of a child sick in bed listening to his lovely grandfather read him a story. Also was very surprised to read a racial slur. Extremely weird.
At least when he shuts the hell up the actual story is sometimes thrilling and interesting and romantic. But the sexism especially creeps into the main narrative as well, unfortunately. I definitely think the movie is better in most ways, but mainly in the framing device. Would've been awful to see some weirdo middle-aged man trying to cheat on his wife in LA instead of a child sick in bed listening to his lovely grandfather read him a story. Also was very surprised to read a racial slur. Extremely weird.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, and Transphobia
Minor: Animal cruelty
coutlaw's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
- 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? No
4.5
Funny. Clever. Been a while since I’ve read a book with such interesting literary devices.
Some of the scenes had me a little squeamish, but they were well written.
Some of the scenes had me a little squeamish, but they were well written.
Content Warnings
Minor: Torture
monstrouscosmos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Characters: 8/10
Relationships: 5/10
Atmosphere/Setting: 10/10
Writing Style: 6/10
Plot/Intrigue: 7/10
Internal Logic: 8/10
Entertainment: 8/10
Overall: 52/70, 3.75*
this was recommended by a beloved friend, and I'm glad to have finished it for the first time. it's definitely fun! it absolutely reads like what it is, which is well written scenes tied loosely together. the framing device is really fun! but I found it quite difficult to follow along as an audiobook. maybe it would be easier to sight read? I found myself repeated passages and chapters, and ended up listening to it twice all the way through back-to-back just to keep up. I loved the exploration of Inigo's backstory and the fight scene on the cliff especially, I think they were some of the more detailed scenarios which definitely helped me follow what was happening. my wife and I watched the movie together while I was reading (my first time watching it all the way through), and this is one of the few times I think I prefer the movie to the book!
Relationships: 5/10
Atmosphere/Setting: 10/10
Writing Style: 6/10
Plot/Intrigue: 7/10
Internal Logic: 8/10
Entertainment: 8/10
Overall: 52/70, 3.75*
this was recommended by a beloved friend, and I'm glad to have finished it for the first time. it's definitely fun! it absolutely reads like what it is, which is well written scenes tied loosely together. the framing device is really fun! but I found it quite difficult to follow along as an audiobook. maybe it would be easier to sight read? I found myself repeated passages and chapters, and ended up listening to it twice all the way through back-to-back just to keep up. I loved the exploration of Inigo's backstory and the fight scene on the cliff especially, I think they were some of the more detailed scenarios which definitely helped me follow what was happening. my wife and I watched the movie together while I was reading (my first time watching it all the way through), and this is one of the few times I think I prefer the movie to the book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Torture, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Grief, and Abandonment