Supercharging the delicate charm of fairy tales with a dash of satirical wit, William Goldman’s ‘The Princess Bride’ transports readers into a world where love and adventure intertwine captivatingly. Goldman cleverly weaves pure love, hair-raising fright, and humor into a fantastical journey that much like Westley’s quest for true love, is both grueling and infatuating.

Summary

The story opens its portal to the magical land of Florin, where a blossoming love story is at the forefront – between the radiant farm girl Buttercup and the simple farmhand Westley. Their transcendent love story takes a heartbreaking spin when destiny separates them, leading Westley to tread onto perilous adventures. In the meanwhile, Buttercup, struggling with her loss, is doomed to marry the vile Prince Humperdinck. The story then whirls around the reunion and separation, interspersed with a stunning line of escapades filled with engaging characters like Fezzik the gentle-giant, witty Vizzini, and the persuasive Inigo Montoya. Goldman fabricates a perfect blend of a life-daring expedition, love-conquers-it-all storyline, and wonderful comedy in this ingenious tale.

Notable Quotes:

“Love is many things, none of them logical.”

“Life isn’t fair. It’s just fairer than death, that’s all.”

More Endearing Quotations from “The Princess Bride”

1. “My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!”
2. “As you wish…” – a constant theme throughout Goldman’s “The Princess Bride”, symbolizing deep and unspoken love.
3. “True love is the best thing in the world, except for cough drops.”
4. “I’ve been saying it so long to you, you just wouldn’t listen. Every time you said ‘Farm Boy do this’ you thought I was answering ‘As you wish’ but that’s only because you were hearing wrong.”
5. “Who says life is fair, where is that written?”

Each one of these quotes from William Goldman’s “The Princess Bride” reinforces the charisma and magic of his storytelling which resided in his ability to mingle wit, humor, and emotions smoothly.

My Review

Goldman’s storytelling is intrinsically lighthearted yet methodically impressive, spinning magic with words that set the story apart. His ingenious writing seamlessly embeds elements of love, satire, and adventure, providing an unglorified and real outlook on a fairy-tale style narrative. Multiple storylines stitch together cohesively, presenting a narrative that is eternally engaging. Some might argue that the parodic touch may make the narrative appear less serious, but Goldman’s portrayal of the blossoming love story between Buttercup and Westley compensates beautifully. Recommended for those who enjoy the paradoxical blend of fantasy laced with a bittersweet dose of reality.

Rating

4.5/5

Author Bio

William Goldman was an American novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. He won two Academy Awards for his screenplays, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969) and “All the President’s Men” (1976). “The Princess Bride” remains one of his most loved works.

FAQ

Q1. Do the characters Westley and Buttercup display quintessential fairy-tale qualities?
Q2. How well does the author blend the satirical elements in the plot?
Q3. Discuss the significance of the title “The Princess Bride”.

Where to Buy

Ready for a fairy tale expedition with a twist? Get your copy of ‘The Princess Bride’ on Amazon.

The Princess Bride Move (1987)

“The Princess Bride” wasn’t just a triumph in the realms of literature; it also showcased its vibrant charm on the big screen. The tale was beautifully captured by Rob Reiner in the iconic film released in 1987. The film persistently ranks highly among the greatest cult classics, with its enchanting screenplay (written by William Goldman himself), captivating performances, and memorable one-liners.

Cultural Influence

The film has significantly contributed to pop culture, with countless references in other media and unforgettable phrases. Phrases like “As you wish,” which symbolized Westley’s declaration of love for Buttercup, and “My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!” have percolated popular culture and continue being quoted widely.

Funny Anecdotes & Interesting Trivia

1. “The Battle of Wits” scene where Westley and Vizzini engage in a verbal duel had to be shot thrice as actor Mandy Patinkin, who portrayed Inigo Montoya, kept laughing at actor Wallace Shawn’s (Vizzini) hilarious performance.
2. The rodents of unusual size (R.O.U.S), creatures that Westley fights in the Fire Swamp were actually played by actors in rat costumes.
3. Cary Elwes (Westley) and Mandy Patinkin (Inigo Montoya) performed their own sword fight scenes. The duo trained rigorously to master both right-handed and left-handed fencing for the scene where Inigo reveals he’s not left-handed, and neither is Westley.
4. Mandy Patinkin has admitted that the most famous line of the movie, “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die”, holds significant emotional importance for him. Patinkin’s father died from cancer and the actor imagined his character’s quest for vengeance against Count Rugen as a metaphorical fight against the cancer that took his father’s life.

The sweet nostalgia and allure of “The Princess Bride”, with its clever intertwining of love story with satirical elements, continue to charm audiences both as a novel and a film, reminding them that sometimes, the magic of storytelling lies in its simplicity.