Summary
The Princess Bride, William Goldman's beloved 1973 fantasy novel, has captivated readers for generations with its unique blend of romance, adventure, and humor. This metafictional tale presents itself as an abridgment of a longer work by the fictional S. Morgenstern, with Goldman's witty commentary interspersed throughout. The book's enduring popularity stems from its clever storytelling, memorable characters, and universal themes of love and heroism.
Goldman's novel gained even wider recognition through its 1987 film adaptation, directed by Rob Reiner. The movie, starring Robin Wright and Cary Elwes, became a cult classic and introduced the story to new audiences. With its quotable lines and iconic scenes, the film version of The Princess Bride has become deeply ingrained in popular culture, often overshadowing its literary source material.
While the book and film share many similarities, the novel offers a richer, more layered experience. Goldman's fictional framing device and extensive asides provide additional depth and context to the story of Buttercup and Westley. The book explores themes of storytelling, adaptation, and the nature of “true love” in ways that the film, despite its charm, cannot fully capture.
Plot
The Princess Bride follows the story of Buttercup, a beautiful young woman in the fictional country of Florin. She falls in love with her farmhand Westley, who leaves to seek his fortune so they can marry. When Buttercup learns that Westley's ship was attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts, she believes him dead and sinks into despair. Years later, she reluctantly agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck, the heir to Florin's throne.
Before the wedding, Buttercup is kidnapped by a trio of outlaws - Vizzini, Inigo, and Fezzik. They are pursued by a mysterious man in black, who turns out to be Westley. He defeats the kidnappers and reunites with Buttercup, but they are soon captured by Prince Humperdinck. Westley is tortured in the prince's secret “Zoo of Death” while Buttercup is forced to proceed with the wedding.
Meanwhile, Inigo and Fezzik discover Westley's whereabouts and rescue him with the help of Miracle Max, who brings Westley back from being “mostly dead.” The trio storms the castle on Buttercup's wedding day. Inigo finally confronts and kills Count Rugen, the six-fingered man who murdered his father years ago. Westley confronts Prince Humperdinck and bluffs his way out of a sword fight, exposing the prince as a coward.
In the end, Westley and Buttercup escape with Inigo and Fezzik. Though the narrator suggests that they may face further trials, he believes that true love and noble hearts will ultimately triumph. The story concludes with the four heroes riding off into the sunset on white horses, narrowly evading capture by the prince's men.
Themes
True love conquers all
Loyalty and friendship
The pursuit of revenge
Good versus evil
The power of storytelling
Overcoming impossible odds
Appearances can be deceiving
Setting
The Princess Bride takes place in a fictional Renaissance-era world, primarily in the imaginary kingdom of Florin. While the exact time period is not specified, the setting evokes a medieval European atmosphere with castles, royalty, and swashbuckling adventures. The story unfolds across various locales within Florin and its neighboring rival nation, Guilder.
Key settings include Buttercup's family farm, where she and Westley first fall in love; the treacherous Cliffs of Insanity, site of thrilling duels and chases; and the deadly Fire Swamp, filled with dangers like lightning sand and rodents of unusual size. The action also moves through forests, villages, and Prince Humperdinck's opulent castle, where much of the later plot unfolds.
Goldman's fictional framing device places the “original” story as a satire of the politics of Florin, though his abridged “good parts” version focuses on the romance and adventure elements. While rooted in fairy tale tropes, the vivid and varied settings serve as a backdrop for the novel's blend of drama, comedy, and true love, creating a world that feels both familiar and fantastical.
Characters
Westley: The farm boy turned swashbuckling hero. He is deeply in love with Buttercup and will stop at nothing to be reunited with her. Westley is clever, skilled in combat, and fiercely loyal. His signature phrase “As you wish” carries deep meaning.
Buttercup: The beautiful maiden who falls in love with Westley. She is headstrong and passionate, though at times naive. Buttercup's journey takes her from farm girl to princess, facing numerous perils along the way.
Inigo Montoya: A skilled Spanish swordsman seeking revenge for his father's murder. He is driven by his quest but also struggles with alcoholism. Inigo's famous introduction and vow of vengeance become central to his character arc.
Fezzik: An enormous Turkish wrestler with a gentle soul. Despite his great strength, Fezzik is kind-hearted and loyal to his friends. He has a fondness for rhymes and often struggles with self-doubt.
Prince Humperdinck: The cruel and calculating heir to the throne of Florin. He plots to marry Buttercup and start a war with the neighboring country. Humperdinck is cunning but ultimately revealed to be a coward.
Count Rugen: Humperdinck's six-fingered henchman and the murderer of Inigo's father. He is sadistic and takes pleasure in causing pain through his inventions.
Vizzini: The Sicilian criminal mastermind who kidnaps Buttercup. He prides himself on his intelligence but is ultimately outsmarted by Westley.
Miracle Max: A former miracle worker who helps revive Westley. He is cantankerous but ultimately good-hearted.
Quick facts
William Goldman originally wrote The Princess Bride as a bedtime story for his two daughters, who requested a tale about “princesses” and “brides".
The fictional framing device of S. Morgenstern's “original” book is entirely made up by Goldman as a literary technique.
Goldman claimed he wrote the first draft of the novel in a burst of creativity over just three weeks.
The book's fictional countries of Florin and Guilder are named after types of coins, reflecting Goldman's satirical approach.
Goldman wrote to readers offering a missing “Reunion Scene” between Westley and Buttercup, but replies only contained humorous legal excuses.
The novel includes frequent “asides” from Goldman, blurring the lines between fiction and reality for the reader.
Goldman struggled for years to write a sequel called Buttercup's Baby, but never completed it before his death in 2018.
The book was adapted into a stage musical, but Goldman and the composer parted ways over royalty disagreements.
Several board games, card games, and video games have been created based on The Princess Bride.
In 2020, the original film cast reunited for a virtual table read of the screenplay as a political fundraiser.
About the Author
William Goldman (1931-2018) was an acclaimed American novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. Born in Chicago and raised in Illinois, Goldman earned degrees from Oberlin College and Columbia University before embarking on a prolific writing career spanning over five decades. He first gained prominence as a novelist in the 1950s with works like The Temple of Gold before transitioning into screenwriting.
Goldman achieved major success as a screenwriter, winning two Academy Awards for his screenplays for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and All the President's Men (1976). He adapted several of his own novels for the screen, including the cult classic The Princess Bride (1987) and the thriller Marathon Man (1976). Goldman was known for his versatility across genres, writing everything from crime thrillers to fantasy adventures to historical epics.
In addition to his film work, Goldman wrote several non-fiction books about his experiences in Hollywood, including the influential memoir Adventures in the Screen Trade (1983). He coined the famous phrase “Nobody knows anything” about the unpredictability of the film industry. Goldman also worked extensively as an uncredited script doctor on many major films throughout his career.
Goldman remained an influential figure in Hollywood until late in life. He continued writing into his 80s, including adapting Stephen King novels and reworking The Princess Bride as a stage play. Goldman passed away in 2018 at age 87, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as one of the most successful and respected screenwriters in American cinema.
