The Princess Bride (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

I am so conflicted about whether I like this book or not 😅 The main story part, I quite enjoyed. I was committed to get to the end of it and to know where the characters got to. The "commentary" from the author got me so confused at the start and was the parts I really struggle with. Do they add to the story, no i don't think so. But yet, I was scared not to read them in case I missed something important... I quite likely would not have. . Such a weird style.

Weird how, after I started reading this the other day, Peter Falk died. ("Inconceivable!")
Love this story.

One of my all-time favorite movies is also one of my favorite books!

The best part about the book is that you get a deeper look at the characters (although Buttercup is not as likable). I'd always wondered about Inigo and his father, how he became a master swordsman, and how he got involved with Vizzini and Fezzik.

The dialogue in the movie is almost word for word from the book, including the Archdean's speech impediment in the "mawidge" scene. Hilarious!

There is something magical about returning to a story you already love and realizing it still has more to give you. William Goldman’s The Princess Bride is a delight that feels both adventurous, familiar, and slips you into a familiar story that somehow manages to surprise you again. From the opening pages, it becomes clear this is not just a romance. This version is a playful and self-aware story about storytelling itself. It earns its reputation as a favorite fairytale. The story follows Buttercup, the most beautiful woman in the world, and Westley, the farm boy turned pirate legend who loves her with unwavering devotion. Around them is a cast of characters who are just as unforgettable. Inigo Montoya carries one of the most iconic lines in literature, driven by grief and purpose. Fezzik brings warmth and loyalty. Miracle Max and Valerie steal every moment they are in, especially during the rescue scene, which manages to be both tense and full of heart. What makes this story endure is its balance. It is romantic without becoming overly sweet, adventurous without losing its humor, and self-aware without turning cynical. It invites you to feel like a kid filled with wonder. You will feel joy, anticipation, butterflies, and happiness. If you’ve seen the movie, you might be wondering if the book offers anything new. It follows the film so closely that it feels like watching it again. Except the audiobook comes with richer access to what the characters are thinking and feeling. This abridged audiobook version mirrors the movie’s pacing so tightly that the two almost blend together. Though it also leaves you wishing for more depth. The audiobook experience does come with limitations. The narrator works hard to differentiate the characters and handles it generally well. The abridged format becomes noticeable near the end. The pacing speeds up, the resolution feels rushed, and the lack of a fuller epilogue leaves the ending feeling incomplete. What remains is something special. This is a story that reminds you why you fell in love with storytelling in the first place. It is playful, heartfelt, and endlessly quotable. It makes you smile and keeps you engaged from beginning to end.

I'm sorry, I couldn't even finish the book. It was such a slog and I was super confused. Didn't enjoy it at all. I might watch the film but won't revisit or recommend the book.