Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Teaser Tuesday: The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Today my post is both a **Teaser Tuesday post, and also my first post for the Princess Bride readalong being hosted by Chris from ChrisBookarama. Not only had I not read the book before, but I also hadn't seen the movie. I can't tell you the number of times that I have confessed that and had people look at me aghast and say you really must watch the movie.

Given that I generally prefer the book to the movie I thought I would start with the book and maybe move onto the movie.

My teaser is a little longer than the customary two sentences, but I just loved the whole paragraph. It comes from page 58:

There have been five great kisses since 1642 B.C, when Saul and Delilah Korn's inadvertent discovery swept across Western Civilization. (Before then couples hooked thumbs.) And the precise rating of kisses is a terribly difficult thing, often leading to great controversy, because although everyone agrees with the formula of affection times purity times intensity times duration, no one has ever been completely satisfied with how much weight each element should receive. But on any system, there are five that everyone agrees deserve full marks.

Well, this one left them all behind.

Originally when I saw the readalong I was interested in participating but had decided against it when I noticed that the title that my library had on their catalogue was "The  Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's classic tale of true love and high adventure: the "good parts"" my immediate reaction was that there was no way I was going to be reading an abridged version. It was only later when someone explained that it was the actual title of the book, not a description of its contents that I was then happy to borrow it and confirm my participation in the readalong.

The structure of this book is pretty unique. I certainly can't remember a book where an author has written a story about a novel that he recalled from his childhood but only shared the good bits, just like his dad did when he read it to him all those years before.

It is actually quite strange because in the introduction Goldman talks about the process of getting this book into print, and does use some of the facts from his life, but then, as Chris points out in her Milestone 1 post, a lot of the information in the introduction is made up. I can't remember the last time you couldn't be sure what was fact and what wasn't in an intro!

Once we get into the story itself I have been surprised at how quickly the novel moves through - courtesy of the abridgements that take all of the superfluous information out of the novel.

So far I think my favourite secondary character is Queen Bella. She is married to King Lotharon, a chronic mumbler, and it is fun to see her seemingly seeking direction from her husband and yet doing precisely what she pleases!

The only problem is that I keep on expecting someone like Reepacheep from the Chronicles of Narnia to appear on the page. I have no idea why I expect that to happen. Maybe I heard something from the movie, or something. There don't appear to be any other talking animals yet.

In terms of expectations, I am half expecting Westley to reappear. We'll see!

So far I am having a lot of fun reading it, and can see why so many people love it.  I have heard that the movie is different from the book, but I have every intention of finding out for myself at this stage.


**Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading. Head on over to find out all about it, and how to join in!

35 comments:

  1. I am going to enjoy watching you discover this wonderful story for the first time. And then you'll watch the movie! oh, my.

    Sometimes, for a bonus question, I'll ask on a physics test who the Dread Pirate Roberts is. Fans of the movie will write a page from the movie.

    My husband and I quote from the movie on a continual basis.

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  2. I absolutely need to read this! I've seen the movie, but the writing in the book just seems delightful. And I am quite intrigued by the format...an "abridged" novel that really has no longer form! You've inspired me to move it up on my TBR list. I'm looking forward to seeing what you think as you continue your readalong.

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  3. I love Queen Bella too and how Humperdink calls her the Evil Stepmother. I LOVE the movie and you must watch it next!

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  4. I haven't read this one...nor have I seen the whole movie. Bad mistakes, I'm sure. Now you have piqued my interest....

    Here's my teaser:

    Click on my name for the link

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  5. I haven't read this one yet but I have watched the movie! You teaser caught my interest!
    Here’s My teaser:
    http://books-love-affair.blogspot.com/2010/10/treasured-tuesdays-and-teaser-tuesdays.html

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  6. I KNEW I should have joined the readalong!! I'm hosting The Historian Readalong, so I guess I couldn't do both...or maybe I should anyway! Inconceivable! :)

    Here's my Teaser: Coffee and a Book Chick -- Teaser Tuesday...

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  7. Your expectations of Reepicheep made me laugh because I'm pretty sure what part may give you this idea. Have fun discovering the rest of the story!

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  8. I haven't read the book either but the movie is one of my FAVORITE movies ever!! Great choice!
    My teaser is at:
    The Delusional Diaries

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  9. I love this movie!! Maybe I need to go read the book as well. Hope you have loads of fun reading :)

    Here's my TEASER for the week

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  10. BookishSnob, Misha and LMW, so far I am thoroughly enjoying it! I am really looking forward to watching the movie now. I am thinking I am going to just take the plunge and buy it rather than borrowing it and then wishing I had it!

    Shelley, I am sure it is something I have seen or heard that gives me that idea. We will see what happens!

    Coffee and a Book Chick, there are quite a few good readalongs at the moment. I thought about joining in on yours, and the Lonesome Dove one, and the War and Peace one!

    Laurel, I am beginning to see what all the fuss is about!

    Chris, I am pretty sure the movie will be on my agenda very soon. Looking forward to the next part of the book.

    Erin, it's a very unusual premise!

    Raidergirl, how cool that you ask bonus questions about the movie! I do know plenty of people who quote from the movie regularly. Maybe I will become one of those people!

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  11. Wonderful teaser! My TT: http://www.rundpinne.com/2010/10/teaser-tuesdays-a-despicable-profession.html

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  12. Thank you for alerting me to the readalong! Both the book and the film are great favourites of mine. So many classic quotes to savour :-)

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  13. Maybe I should read the book since I don't really care the movie. Here is my teaser for this week.

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  14. Wonderful teaser. I am glad you shared the whole thing. And do remember really enjoying the movie. Carey Elwes back in the day was a bit of a dream! And if you like him in that one, you must see the very funny Men in Tights. I know I digress :)

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  15. Interesting teaser and interesting formula for a book. Here's mine, a bit more standard.

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  16. I'm someone else who hasn't read the book even after hearing of it several times. Now, it's your turn to look aghast at me. LOL.

    My teaser is from Night Lost by Lynn Viehl.

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  17. I've never read this book; I didn't know there was a movie, either! I'll have to look into it some more.

    Great teaser!

    My teaser is from The Starry Rift, an anthology edited by Jonathan Strahan.

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  18. Sounds like it's written in a really unique way- glad you're having fun and hope the movie is as enjoyable!

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  19. I have this on my shelf and need to read again. Great teaser! My TT from An Artificial Night is here.

    xx,
    E.J.
    From the Shadows

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  20. Oh, I have a big ol' soft spot for The Princess Bride as it was my gateway book into fantasy literature :)

    My teaser, from Terry Pratchett's I Shall Wear Midnight is @ Stuff & Nonsense.

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  21. That is an absolutely delightful teaser!

    I am perfectly willing to confess that I have never seen this move (or read the book) either.

    Here's my TT: http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2010/10/teaser-tuesday.html

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  22. Princess Bride has been our family's favorite book and everyone loved the movie. This "readalong" is intriguing. Thanks for your Tuesday Teaser.

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  23. What a great readalong idea! Have fun! Nice teaser, too. Mine is at The Crowded Leaf.

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  24. Ooooh - I love this movie. It's so very very quotable. I haven't read the book though.

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  25. Oooh, wonderful teaser!!

    Our TEASER this week is from "Unholy Ghosts" by Stacia Kane.

    ♥Isalys

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  26. That is a great teaser!

    http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/2010/10/teaser-time.html

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  27. Yes, that paragraph about the kisses is great.
    I saw the movie first and love it. It is just as wonderful as the book. And Westley is adorable.

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  28. I've seen the movie over and over. I hadn't realized it was based on an actual book, rather than simply referring to one.

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  29. This is all time favorite movie, but I never read the book. Go figure! LOVE the movie.
    Hope you will enjoy the book and it's one fo the first I plan on reading once my commitments are fulfilled.

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  30. I SOOO love this book! It's just wonderful. The movie is great too.

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  31. I SOOO love this book! It's just wonderful. The movie is great too.

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  32. Wonderful teaser! I loved the movie, and did finally read the book. I hope you enjoy it!

    My teaser is here if you'd like to drop by. :)

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  33. I've seen the movie, but never realized it was based from a book! Where have I've been?! LOL! I'm going to try checking it out from library too. I'm glad to see that you're enjoying the book :)
    And, thanks for the birthday wish! :)

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  34. I haven't read or watched this one either but you now have me intrigued... love the formulaic terminology used in the teaser!!!

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  35. Interesting, this is the first mention of this read along that my pretty little boots have come across.

    Great Teaser, Here is the link to mine :)

    http://madsteampunkery.blogspot.com/2010/10/knicker-teaser-to-kill-warlock.html

    Mad Scientist

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