ŷ

Rikke's Reviews > The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Rate this book
Clear rating

by
4327582
's review

it was amazing
bookshelves: fantasy, fairy-tales, romance, satire, favorites, owned-books

This is my favorite book in all the world, though I have never read it.

I love everything about this book. I admire Goldman's intricate framework, that enables him to position his own book as an old classic, to hide a story within a story, and to fill the pages with lovely bits of metafiction. As a reader, you're constantly reminded that you are in fact reading. Goldman draws attention to the reading experience itself in a way that is both elegant and humorous.

The inner story is not only a fantastical, whimsical and fast-paced fairy tale infused with a bit of fantasy; it is also an extremely satirical and witty little joke. From an absurd Spaniard who keeps mumbling: "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.", to a beautiful princess named Buttercup and a horse named Horse, to a retired miracle-worker who coats his resurrection pills with chocolate, this book is a delightful jumble of chaos and fun.

In spite of Goldman's natural satire, the fairy tale does not lack sincerity. Beautiful quotes appear from nowhere, and the story itself is so thrilling and gripping, that you will be ceased by a helpless fit of reading fever as you reach the (short) finale.

I will probably reread this for years to come, and I will probably love it forever and ever. I will probably order a nice hardback version of this in about five minutes. In fact, I already did. I love every aspect of this book. It's beautifully crafted, beautifully written and endlessly entertaining.

‘Well, you haven’t once said you loved me.�
‘That’s all you need? Easy. I love you. Okay? Want it louder? I love you. Spell it out, should I? I ell-oh-vee-ee why-oh-you. Want it backward? You love I.�
7 likes · flag

Sign into ŷ to see if any of your friends have read The Princess Bride.
Sign In »

Quotes Rikke Liked

William Goldman
“I love you,' Buttercup said. 'I know this must come as something of a surprise to you, since all I've ever done is scorn you and degrade you and taunt you, but I have loved you for several hours now, and every second, more. I thought an hour ago that I loved you more than any woman has ever loved a man, but a half hour after that I knew that what I felt before was nothing compared to what I felt then. But ten minutes after that, I understood that my previous love was a puddle compared to the high seas before a storm. Your eyes are like that, did you know? Well they are. How many minutes ago was I? Twenty? Had I brought my feelings up to then? It doesn't matter.' Buttercup still could not look at him. The sun was rising behind her now; she could feel the heat on her back, and it gave her courage. 'I love you so much more now than twenty minutes ago that there cannot be comparison. I love you so much more now then when you opened your hovel door, there cannot be comparison. There is no room in my body for anything but you. My arms love you, my ears adore you, my knees shake with blind affection. My mind begs you to ask it something so it can obey. Do you want me to follow you for the rest of your days? I will do that. Do you want me to crawl? I will crawl. I will be quiet for you or sing for you, or if you are hungry, let me bring you food, or if you have thirst and nothing will quench it but Arabian wine, I will go to Araby, even though it is across the world, and bring a bottle back for your lunch. Anything there is that I can do for you, I will do for you; anything there is that I cannot do, I will learn to do. I know I cannot compete with the Countess in skills or wisdom or appeal, and I saw the way she looked at you. And I saw the way you looked at her. But remember, please, that she is old and has other interests, while I am seventeen and for me there is only you. Dearest Westley--I've never called you that before, have I?--Westley, Westley, Westley, Westley, Westley,--darling Westley, adored Westley, sweet perfect Westley, whisper that I have a chance to win your love.' And with that, she dared the bravest thing she'd ever done; she looked right into his eyes.”
William Goldman, The Princess Bride

William Goldman
“When I was your age, television was called books.”
William Goldman, The Princess Bride


Reading Progress

December 21, 2013 – Started Reading
December 21, 2013 – Shelved
December 22, 2013 – Shelved as: fantasy
December 22, 2013 – Shelved as: fairy-tales
December 22, 2013 – Shelved as: romance
December 22, 2013 – Shelved as: satire
December 22, 2013 – Shelved as: favorites
December 22, 2013 – Finished Reading
December 26, 2013 – Shelved as: owned-books

No comments have been added yet.