The Princess Bride (yes, there's a book)

Yes, there is a book.

Yes, the book came before the movie.

Yes, the book is better than the movie (I say that even though the movie is one of my favorites), just like every other book-movie combo out there. I finished this one on March 10th.

The movie follows the book almost to the "T", so I'm not going to spend any time talking about the story line. If you haven't seen the movie or read the book, repent immediately. At least see the movie.

If you've already seen the movie and have always considered yourself a big fan, I say you're not a true fan till you've read the book. It'd be like someone saying that they're the world's biggest Harry Potter fan without having read the books. That's just sad. I've read this book twice now. Loved it even more the second time.

Why is it better than the movie? Well, it's simply even funnier. Authors have much more ability to speak directly with the reader (it's awkward to do that in movies), and Goldman spent A LOT of time in this book speaking directly to the reader, often making fun of the story. Hilarious.

The premise is slightly different from the movie. Instead of it being a grandpa reading to his grandson, the story goes as follows: William Goldman's (the author) dad reads the story to William when William is sick at home as a kid. William Goldman loves the story but never reads it himself, but then buys the book for his own son decades later. His son tries reading the book, but gives up, declaring that it's too boring. William Goldman (the author) flips out, because he remembers it as being a story full of war, romance, sword-fights, and all of the other things you and I love from the movie. He grabs the book and to his horror, realizes that the book is a historical satire that his dad had been paraphrasing/abridging the whole time. William Goldman then decides to write an abridgment of the book, "The Princess Bride." That's why there's so much commentary through the book - he's explaining why he's taking long, boring passages out, etc.

It's a great book. Seriously, if you like the movie, READ THE BOOK. My only complaint is the author evidently finds himself rather funny and occasionally sounds like a stand-up comedian who's trying too hard. But only occasionally.

Loved it.