The Princess Bride

I did it. I finally did it. I have read the original “abridgement” of The Princess Bride.

It all started with a boy whose dad read him a story while the lad recovered from pneumonia. That story became the boy’s favorite. But it wasn’t until the boy was grown and a father himself that he discovered his father had read only the good parts and skipped over about 700 pages total in a 1000 page book. So, the man decided to publish an abridgement with only the good parts his father had shared with him.

The story itself is about a maid, Buttercup, who eventually falls in love with the farm boy, Westley. However, despite their love, which no matter how true cannot make a living, Westley left their country of Florin to seek his fortune in America. Alas, his ship encountered the Dread Pirate Roberts, a man who never takes prisoners. Thus Buttercup is left with a broken heart and broken dreams, vowing to never love again. Enter Prince Humperdinck, hunter extraordinaire, seeking a maid worthy to be called his bride. A marriage of convenience, nothing more.

But before the engagement bells have ceased their clanging, Buttercup is kidnaped by three fiends: Vizzini, the intelligent, hunchback Sicilian; Inigo Montoya, the sword fighting wizard of Spain; and Fezzik, the wrestling, Turkish giant. She is to be dead by sunrise on Guilder soil. But who is this man in black that inconceivably pursues them? Is true love really lost? Or might such things as death merely delay it?

Okay, I’ll admit, I’m not sure if I’ll accidentally give spoilers or if both book and film are widely popular enough that everyone has a basic knowledge. I was in my late-high school to mid-college days when I first saw the film. I enjoyed it, though I did not care for a couple language instances. Once I discovered it was based on a book, I’ve been meaning to read it, just to see how the two compare. Finally this year I read it and became the proud owner of a 30th Anniversary Edition which includes the first chapter of Buttercup’s Baby.

A part of me wasn’t sure what to expect, but I enjoyed it. Actually “gobbled up” roughly 400+ pages over a weekend or thereabouts. I can see how people can fall in love with Buttercup and Westley, even Inigo and Fezzik. They are classic, lovable characters, a couple struggling to rise above difficult pasts. Then of course, one just waits for characters such as the six-fingered man and the war-hungry fiancé to finally meet a doom-filled end.

I have to say, the author knows how to play his readers, making me wonder if I’m just that gullible or he was just that good. I’m not sure why he hesitated so long to write his sequel, seeing as there was no Florinese government stalling him. Or, maybe he just enjoyed playing his fans like fiddles, hoping by the time it was written and published it would practically sell itself. Or he could have used that as an excuse when his characters stopped talking to him. I can’t blame the characters though, if that was the case. The Fire Swamp, the Machine, the Zoo of Death. And he has to name the sequel’s first chapter “Fezzik Dies”? Yeah, I would not be talking to him either. 😊

Alas, aside from a few hints, we shall never know what would have taken place since the author apparently passed away a couple years ago. That leaves it up to fans to dream and possibly share what they believe would happen. Who knows? Maybe I’ll play in that sandbox one day, but not today. I have enough stories on my plate, fanfiction and publishable.

The Princess Bride was written by William Goldman. The story is about eleven chapters in total if you count the two chapters concerning Buttercup’s Baby. There are 392 pages, but including the 30th and 25th anniversary introductions, it’s 432 pages. The hardcover edition I own is also illustrated by Michael Manomivibul. There is also a Florin map by Jeffery C. Mathison. Rating? Hm. There is a handful of language issues that I’m not fond of. Also, he crafts a “Lady or the Tiger” ending. (Goldman’s words.) And the Buttercup’s Baby chapter only fixes it slightly. So . . . I’d say three and a half Florinese dragons out of five.

I personally wouldn’t recommend this to anyone younger than teens. But a potential read-aloud book so language can be censored. Otherwise if you enjoy tales of true love, danger, excitement, sword fights and miracles here’s your book. If you’ve watched the movie, read the book. If you’ve read the book, watch the movie. One of the book-to-films that compliment each other rather than take away or mutilate the other. (In my opinion.) If you enjoy a bit tongue-in-cheek, this is a potential good one.

Until next time.