The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

Features

• Cover Type: Mass Market Paperback with 512 pages
• Published by: Harvest Books October 8, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0156035219
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0156035217
• Book Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Weighs: 8.8 ounces

Product Review
The Princess Bride is a true fantasy classic. William Goldman describes it as a "good parts version" of "S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure." Morgenstern's original was filled with details of Florinese history, court etiquette, and Mrs. Morgenstern's mostly complimentary views of the text. Much admired by academics, the "Classic Tale" nonetheless obscured what Mr. Goldman feels is a story that has everything: "Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. terrible men. Good men. gorgeousest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles."

Goldman frames the fairy tale with an "autobiographical" story: his father, who came from Florin, abridged the book as he read it to his son. Now, Goldman is publishing an abridged version, interspersed with comments on the parts he cut out.

Is The Princess Bride a critique of classics like Ivanhoe and The Three Musketeers, that smother a ripping yarn under elaborate prose? A wry look at the differences between fairy tales and real life? Simply a funny, frenetic adventure? No matter how you read it, you'll put it on your "keeper" shelf. --Nona Vero --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Review
'One of the most laconic, tightly-plotted tales of mythical morality you'll ever read, an anti-establishment satire disguised as a love story, more of a scary tale than a fairy tale' Uncut 'There's nothing fluffy about The Princess Bride. The rocket-powered narrative tricks you without being merely tricksy, and is both modern and timeless' Neon 'A funny thriller for readers who are about ten years of age or wish they were Readers of a nervous disposition should be prepared to skim rapidly over the Zoo of Death episode or stick to fiction mean for grown-ups' Spectator 'A spoof fairytale Terrific' Daily Telegraph

American writer William Goldman's The Princess Bride is the result of a huge labour of love. He fell in love with Morgenstern's 'classic tale of true love and high adventure' when he was ill as a child. In 1973 he produced his abridged version which concentrates on the fantasy and adventure elements of the original, following the fortunes of wonderful characters such as the mighty Fezzik, Prince Humperdinck and Buttercup, the 'beautifulest' lady in the world. This cult book defies category - thriller, fairy tale, adventure, love story - and is by turns scary, funny and magical. Brilliant stuff. (Kirkus UK)

This comes on like the hip fairy tales on TV - the best ones - with that constant finger-popping humorousness. But it is a real fairy tale and that is how it affects you - the men in the black capes especially, although there is also intrigue, love and danger. And if that isn't enough, it's 'being retold' in one of those elaborate narrative setups that gets things going on more cogitative levels. The story is supposed to be the old Florinese classic that Goldman's father (a disappointed old Florinese immigrant) read while Billy was getting over pneumonia. Now it's years later and Billy, a successful author married to a child psychiatrist, tries it on his own son who is eating compulsively. The effect is not the same somehow, and Goldman, looking at the text himself for the first time, understands why. The book was really a political satire! Dad, bless him, had skipped all that and just read the good parts. So Goldman is reconstructing dad's version, screw his son, because the good parts are what he likes. You only have to think of Barth and Borges and the uses they make of such tricks to appreciate how silly and really deeply likable this is. Because the story takes over and the whole point of everything is to ingratiate. As a last tease, you can read it as an allegory about America. There's a little too much distraction to be sure - how, how much or even whether Goldman means it. (Kirkus Reviews) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Reader Reviews
This review is from: The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure (The 'Good Parts' Version) (Hardcover) "Wait a minute, wait a minute....Is this a kissing book?" Well, yes and no...you'll just have to read it to find out for yourself. William Goldman is a legend in the world of screenwriting, known for his clever, crisp dialogue and engrossing narrative, so why should his novels be any different? Utterly charming, 'The Princess Bride' combines action, adventure, plenty of swordplay, and yes, some kissing....Those of you who only saw the movie (also writen by Goldman -- see my DVD review) are missing out on many of the delights of the book, notably on the developed backstory of the characters and the clean, wry prose. Here's a bit of trivia: First, there is NO S. Morgenstern -- he is made up, fictitious, a red herring...accept it and move on. Second, Mr. Goldman will send you a lost section if you write to his address and request it (the one of mentions in the book)! When I first read that ten years ago, I wrote to the company mentioned in the book and was delighted to receive my bonus section! (Hey, Mr Goldman if you are reading this, I lost my copy 3 years ago when I moved to LA! Could you please send me another one? ) :) Cherish this book and keep it to share with your children.