The Princess Bride by William Goldman

 
 

I've seen the movie – of course.  But I had no idea just what a gem the book would be.  It's not about the story but the way it is told – the author breaks almost every rule in the book and it is magnificent!

 

It's tongue in cheek.  The author keeps interpolating his own comments – he pretends to be abridging a novel  written by S Morganstern. 

 

There are many fun elements including when the author says he wanted to add a reunion scene but the editor wouldn't let him – so he includes an address to write off for a copy of it – and adds a later comment that it can now be found on a website.

 

So if you just want the Buttercup Westley story, the film will do you just fine.  For a whole lot more read the book.

 

The author has major film pedigree having won Oscars for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and for All The President's Men.  Sadly we lost him in 2018.