Don't freak out. Even though this book is abridged, it still stays true to the classic tale. You see, William Goldman's father used to read this book to him. But William Goldman only heard the 'good parts', not the 'boring ones.' So, he rewrote it, just leaving the exciting and hilarious parts in.
Personally, I'd rather that than the 'boring' version.
Hands up if you've seen the movie! If you haven't seen the movie, I strongly recommend it.
Alas, this is not about the movie.
The Princess Bride is about Buttercup, who falls in love with the farm boy, Westley, but Westley goes away and he is presumed dead, captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts.
So fancy pants Prince Humperdinck decides that Buttercup will be his 'bride-to-be' and they are set to be married. Prince Humperdinck is a nasty person though.
Mean while, the book explains all of these backgrounds of the main characters in the story- Prince Humperdinck and how he is the sharpest shooter and hunter. Inigo Montoya, a Spanish fencer who tells of his childhood and trying to find the man who killed his father. Fezzik, a giant who likes to rhyme, and Vizzini, a snivelling, arrogant little man who bought together a gang with Fezzik and Inigo, who eventually capture the princess.
This story is so much fun! It's funny, witty, action packed, devastating and terrifying. It has a little romance, but it balances it out with the rest of the attributes.
This book really brings a background to the characters and why they do the things they do in the movie. The movie is really only a basic part of the whole story.
In between some chapters are commentary by William Goldman. True or not true, they can give you a bit of a laugh and add a personal feel to the story.
My favourite character (apart from Westley, because who doesn't like Westley?) is probably Inigo. He is a character with a lot of humour, yet he is serious about a lot of things. His tendency to get drunk when he sad or depressed brings out the weaker, not so feisty side in him.
This book is a great book, and I think everyone should read it. I think it swears maybe twice in the book, but other than that, a great book for all ages. It does have some tricky language, though, so it would be a great book to be read aloud.
Zobo!
