I finished reading this novel literally two minutes ago, so I apologise if my thoughts about it are a bit muddled and not cohesive.
Firstly, it was very odd to read a book when I know the film so well, as usually, it's the other way around. In this case, though, I grew up with the film (made in 1987) and I didn't even know there was a book until I saw in in Waterstone's. I had the strange experience of reading the book and being able to quite clearly envision all the characters based on the actors who play them, as well as the scenes; I even heard their voices during dialogue. I would always reccommend reading a novel before watching a film adaptation, but in this case both are very similar -- very little is missed out of the film, save for some background on Inigo Montoya, a longer opening sequence, and more detail about Prince Humperdinck -- and are of equal quality.
The strangest thing about the book is the style it's written in. The author, William Goldman, claims to be abridging a novel of the same name by S. Morgenstern; however, the novel by Goldman is in fact an original novel entirely of his own creation, and S. Morgenstern doesn't exist. There are frequent asides made by Goldman talking about the scenes he cut out of Morgenstern's version, when those scenes don't exist. Even more bizarre are the two parts before and after the novel itself talking about Goldman's life and his childhood. Almost all of the background he gives is fictitious. In a way, he creates a story within a story; an impressive accomplishment.
Characterisation is certainly a strong point of 'The Princess Bride'. While at first the characters all seem two-dimensional and steroetypical (a beautiful but stupid girl, an evil prince, a gentle giant, a genius, a "wizard" swordsman, a pirate captain) but they develop magnificently. In particular, the characters of Fezzik (the giant) and Inigo (the Spanish swordfighting champion), who are likable even as henchmen to a murderer, aquire depth mostly through their friendship. Fezzik is frightened of everything from heights to bats and can only be calmed by rhyming words; Inigo, despite being a man who has trained for twenty years to become the most talented swordsman alive, is kind to Fezzik and indulges him in his rhyming games. Westley (the main character, along with Buttercup) starts off as a simple farmboy with no talent -- prepare for a spoiler -- becomes the Dread Pirate Roberts, the most infamous pirate alive, bests everyone in strength, skill, and brains, and is very good at not being dead. Buttercup never quite throws off her foolishness and gullibility, but she aquires some steel to her. Some of the minor characters are fantastic as well, such as Max the Miracle Man who -- more spoilers -- brings Westley back from being "mostly dead" with a miracle pill coated in chocolate.
The style of writing is anecdotal and satirical -- a surprisingly successful combination. The writing is not extraordinary, but in is certainly well beyond good; even I found nothing to criticise, and I am very critical about quality of writing. The plot is ridiculous and the author's entirely fabricated stories about himself are bizarre, but it's very much a fun book. Every topic, from true love to torture to revenge, is touched upon and lightly made fun of.
Reading the novel has only added to my childhood love of the film; I plan to re-watch the film so that I can compare the two. I very much hope that everyone who reads this post and has an interest in some lighter, humourous fiction will read 'The Princess Bride'. Personally, I adore it, and I don't think I will ever be able to shake my attachment to Westley, Buttercup, Fezzik, and Inigo.
No comments:
Post a Comment