Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

7 reviews

r_j_setser's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

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

5.0

"True love is the best thing in the world, except for cough drops."

After growing up with the movie and still watching it several times a year, quoting "I'm not a witch, I'm your wife" quite often to my husband, and randomly exclaiming "Anyone want a peanut?" throughout my days; I've finally read the book. And I can't believe that it took me so long to do so.

This is a work of satirical art and I haven't laughed this hard at a book in I don't even know how long. That being said, do not take this book seriously. You can't, or you'll walk away from it deeply offended and irritated. I've never had a work of fiction make me question my reality, but here we are. I won't include spoilers in case you'd like to experience the brilliance of Goldman's 25th and 30th anniversary introductions for yourself, but just know: he got me. 

The Princess Bride is meant to be read aloud and I want to immediately start it with my husband. That being said, however, there were a few things that would make me hesitant to read aloud to kids without interjecting (as Goldman's father often did with him). The main thing being how often Buttercup gets slapped and it being okay. Once again, this is satire and it is humorously exaggerating the toxic masculinity and helpless femininity tropes and I believe it's supposed to make you uncomfortable (because that's what satire does), but as I mentioned earlier if you take it seriously, you will walk away from this book offended.

Overall, this is a book that any lover of the movie needs to experience at least once! I wasn't expecting the book to be too vastly different from the movie, but it is. They are each works of art and I can't say that either is "better" than the other. If you love the movie, you also need to read the book, but only because there is more to the story than you could possibly imagine! As it is, this book is so unique and unlike any other (that comes to my mind) that I can't rate it anything but 5 stars, but I do recommend it with caution: you need to understand satire. 

Content warnings: Cursing: one use of "SOB" and occasional minor words. No gore, very minor action. And only a couple mention of kisses. Other warnings would include some intense nightmares, animal cruelty, and various discriminations. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Torture, Body shaming, Bullying, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

Minor: Child death and Suicide

falcarragh's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, and Violence

kerttuli's review against another edition

adventurous fast-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Torture, Body shaming, Violence, and Fatphobia

Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Sexism

Minor: Toxic relationship and Death

tamara_joy's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Misogyny, Torture, Animal cruelty, Death, Homophobia, Murder, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts

candycain's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia, Torture, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Body shaming, Abandonment, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence

dune1984's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This might be my favorite book ever. Like most, I saw the movie first, and I recommend that order. The movie is amazing, and tells the story of Buttercup and Westley beautifully and hilariously, but the book is an entirely different experience. You might be thrown off by the metanarrative of the fictional William Goldman's regaling of his family troubles as he supposedly abridges a book from his youth, but it is all part of the larger narrative. You read the epic tale of love and loss that is Buttercup and Westley, but also the fictional C.S. Morgenstern, desperate to tell the storied history of his home country, and William Goldman himself, who married a wife he doesn't love, writes books he doesn't like, and has a son he doesn't connect with. And the writing itself is astounding, expanding upon the scenes you so loved from the movie. The first few minutes of the movie are blown into a long introduction chapter, with Buttercup navigating her own prejudices and feelings, culminating in the news of Westley's death. It's hilarious too, with running jokes that make no sense, claiming history that doesn't exist, interjecting with statements from the supposed "reviser". It's an amazing book, and well worth the read if you are the type willing to wade through an extremely wordy book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Antisemitism

lilacsophie's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Grief, Violence, and Torture

Moderate: Kidnapping

Minor: Suicidal thoughts