The Princess Bride Introduction

In a Nutshell

William Goldman starts The Princess Bride by telling us that it's his favorite book in the whole world… even though he's never read it. Does that make you scratch your head a bit? Here's why: Goldman's father used to read it to him when he was just a young boy. So technically, he's never read it himself.

Things only get stranger, though, when Goldman says that the story was originally written by a dude named S. Morgenstern. A quick Google search will prove that there's no such dude, and as such, no such "original" book. So what gives? Goldman made the whole thing up, and then wrote his own book to pretend like he was recovering an old classic. And guess what? The Goldman in the book isn't actually even the Goldman who—in the real world, where we live—wrote the book.

Confusing beginnings aside, when it first came out in 1973, The Princess Bride became a quick bestseller. Thirteen years later, it was also made into one of the most famous young adult movies of all time. And throughout all of this, Goldman never stopped adding to the legend of the "original" Morgenstern book that his own is supposedly based on. It didn't take long for the world to realize that the original didn't exist, but Goldman never gave up the lie.

Based on its title, you might guess that this book's a fairytale. And you're right—it is—but it's a fairytale that pushes the boundaries of the genre. So time and again, when you think you know how things might turn out based on typical fairytale plot progressions, this one messes with your expectations. Just like the whole Goldman-Goldman-Morgenstern set-up is a bit twisted and unusual, so, too, is the story of the princess bride herself and the various men ensnared in her plot line.

So if you like giants, sword fights, and overgrown rats—or you just enjoy a book that messes with your head a bit—pick up a copy of The Princess Bride and join its legions of fans.

 

Why Should I Care?

Nowadays, it's pretty common for English teachers to downplay a book's plot and put more emphasis on themes and symbols. But let's be honest: A super cool plot is what keeps us interested in a story most of the time, and that's exactly what Goldman wants to celebrate in The Princess Bride. This may not be considered great literature (though it clearly has staying power), but that's kind of Goldman's point: Read for the pure joy of getting lost in a story.

When was the last time you let yourself get totally swept up in a fantastical world with no regard to your topic sentence or the opening paragraph of a paper? If you're reading this and you're in the middle of the school year, chances are decent it might've been a while. If not, more power to you; but if this is indeed the case, then consider The Princess Bride an official invitation from Goldman to read just for the fun of it. After all, life isn't just about term papers—it's about having fun, too. And this book is definitely fun.