The Princess Bride

by William Goldman
The Princess Bride cover
Good Books rating 4.36
Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
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Format • £10.44
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Paperback • £8.99–£10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 4309
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780747545187
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 1999-01-01
  • Formats: 7
  • Reviews: 4

William Goldman's beloved novel, The Princess Bride, is a timeless story that blends adventure, romance, and humor. It's a tale within a tale, framed as an abridged version of a longer story, which adds a unique layer to the narrative. The story follows Buttercup, a beautiful young woman who falls in love with Westley, her farmhand. After Westley leaves to seek his fortune, Buttercup is forced to marry the nefarious Prince Humperdinck. But Westley returns, disguised as the Dread Pirate Roberts, to rescue his true love. Along the way, they encounter a cast of unforgettable characters, including the brilliant fencer Inigo Montoya and the gentle giant Fezzik.

Reviews
Fantasy Literature · 2025-10-22
entertaining 4.50

The book is a captivating blend of humor, romance, and adventure, much like the film. It is a story that resonates deeply with readers, offering a mix of emotions and memorable moments.

This review highlights how The Princess Bride seamlessly blends various elements, from touching moments to humorous scenes, making it a story that gets under your skin. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to balance different tones, creating a rich and engaging narrative. They also note that, like the film, the book is one of those rare stories that stay with you long after you've finished reading. The reviewer enjoys the adventurous and romantic aspects, as well as the tragic and idealistic elements, which together make the book a memorable experience.

Quick quotes

    Ranging from touching to humorous, adventurous to romantic, tragic to nobly idealistic, it — like the film — is one of those stories that gets under your skin ...

    It is a story that will appeal to a wide range of readers, offering something for everyone.

    The book's charm lies in its ability to balance different tones and genres, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and deeply engaging.

MotherBookerBlog · 2024-03-04
delightful 4.20

The book is a delightful and heartwarming tale that captures the essence of true love and adventure. Goldman's unique approach adds a personal touch to the story.

The reviewer found the book to be a charming and heartwarming tale, appreciating Goldman's unique approach to storytelling. The narrative is engaging and full of adventure, with a strong focus on true love and romance. The reviewer also highlights how Goldman's personal touch adds depth and personality to the story, making it a delightful read. The characters are well-developed and memorable, and the story is filled with humor and wit.

Quick quotes

    William Goldman admits that he has loved the story since childhood and wanted to present a version of the book that only includes the good bits.

    The narrative is engaging and full of adventure, with a strong focus on true love and romance.

    The reviewer also highlights how Goldman's personal touch adds depth and personality to the story, making it a delightful read.

Steph Huddleston · Steph Huddleston · 2019-11-15
fantastic 4.50

The book is charmingly funny, romantic, and action-packed. It's a cult classic that stands out as both a fantastic book and a beloved film.

Steph absolutely loved the book, praising its charming humor, romantic elements, and action-packed scenes. She highlights how the story effortlessly blends different genres, making it a delightful read. The characters are vivid and memorable, and the narrative is engaging and heartwarming. Steph also appreciates how the book complements the film, making it a cult classic that appeals to a wide audience.

Quick quotes

    A cult classic movie and a fantastic book, Goldman's version of The Princess Bride is charmingly funny, romantic and action packed!

    The story effortlessly blends different genres, making it a delightful read.

    The characters are vivid and memorable, and the narrative is engaging and heartwarming.

Madame Writer Blog · 2019-01-09
enjoyable 4.25

The book is slightly darker than the movie but retains the same story and humor. The humor and Goldman's commentaries are the best parts of the book.

This book is a fantastic read, offering a slightly darker take on the beloved story. The humor is the standout feature, and Goldman's random commentaries add an extra layer of enjoyment. The story is largely the same as the movie, but the book's unique elements make it a worthwhile read. The characters are well-developed, and the narrative is engaging, making it a great choice for fans of the film and new readers alike. The humor and Goldman's insights make this book a delightful experience from start to finish.

Quick quotes

    This book is slightly darker than the movie, but in most every way it is the same story.

    The humor is the best part, as is Goldman's random commentaries about the story and its characters.

    The characters are well-developed, and the narrative is engaging, making it a great choice for fans of the film and new readers alike.

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