Book Review – The Princess Bride by William Goldman

When I picked up a copy to this book for which one of my favorite films is based on, I was not expecting for half of it to be notes by the screenwriter of the film.

The story follows Buttercup as she and Wesley fall in live, are torn apart, and fall in love all over again whilst Prince Humperdinck tries to make Buttercup his wife. You all now the story. The film is timeless.

What I love about the book is seeing the story written on the page and how descriptions of situations and characters that live rent free in my head give new life to them. I love the contradictions, like seeing how blue jeans some existed far longer than they actually did and how Europe didn’t exist yet but somehow European countries or cities did and are mentioned. I love how Prince Humperdinck is described as a barrel. His chest and legs are shaped like barrels of muscle and I can’t get it out of my head. Perfect descriptions.

What I don’t love is how the screenwriter interjects his notes throughout, and lets us know when parts of the story have been taken out. He goes into longwinded backstory about copyrights and how the story came to be such a beloved movie. Nice, but not needed. What I wanted was a fantastical tale of Buttercup and Wesley and Humperdinck on the page.

Four out of five stars, for I wanted less of the screenwriters notes and more of the original story.