Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - The Princess Bride

William Goldman is insufferable. At least his fictionalized self is. Horrific fatphobia and sexism and being creepy about young women.

At least when he shuts the hell up the actual story is sometimes thrilling and interesting and romantic. But the sexism especially creeps into the main narrative as well, unfortunately. I definitely think the movie is better in most ways, but mainly in the framing device. Would've been awful to see some weirdo middle-aged man trying to cheat on his wife in LA instead of a child sick in bed listening to his lovely grandfather read him a story. Also was very surprised to read a racial slur. Extremely weird.

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monstrouscosmos's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Characters: 8/10
Relationships: 5/10
Atmosphere/Setting: 10/10
Writing Style: 6/10
Plot/Intrigue: 7/10
Internal Logic: 8/10
Entertainment: 8/10
Overall: 52/70, 3.75*

this was recommended by a beloved friend, and I'm glad to have finished it for the first time. it's definitely fun! it absolutely reads like what it is, which is well written scenes tied loosely together. the framing device is really fun! but I found it quite difficult to follow along as an audiobook. maybe it would be easier to sight read? I found myself repeated passages and chapters, and ended up listening to it twice all the way through back-to-back just to keep up. I loved the exploration of Inigo's backstory and the fight scene on the cliff especially, I think they were some of the more detailed scenarios which definitely helped me follow what was happening. my wife and I watched the movie together while I was reading (my first time watching it all the way through), and this is one of the few times I think I prefer the movie to the book!

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alvolj's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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marnirie's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

The movie is better in my opinion. The changes made for the silver screen makes it a much easier digestible experience. Wasn’t really a fan of the inserts from the author both before the story in the original introduction, nor the references to his family throughout it all.

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jayyb's review against another edition

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denisa13's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.75

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ripley1992's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

I had watched the movie first, so I came into reading the book with very high expectations. I was however very disappointed. I did not enjoy the writers style, or pave. I found myself alienated by that authors obsession with bodies and fat phobia which begins in the introduction. As well as his misogyny related to women in the introduction. I was also very much concerned at his depiction of “true love”. Which was shallow, cruel, toxic and not at all romantic. Particularly with the female characters love interest actually hitting her. I got to twenty pages before the end of the book and decided to just stop forcing myself to read. There are a few moments of humour and enjoyment, such as the initial scenes between Wesley and Ignacio. But sadly they are few and far between.

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falcarragh's review against another edition

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It's odd. I loved this book and couldn't put it away... But then after finishing most of it, I was simply annoyed and fed up. The characters are static and the 'old-fashioned gender roles' became dominting. I simply lost interst in reading "the ending" of the story.

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