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The Princess Bride

(1998, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by William Goldman)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Fast-paced fun, but more intense than the movie.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Good vs. evil; evil villains commit evil acts; sweethearts remain true to each other against all odds; two lost souls join up with a criminal but eventually defect to the good side; true friends and strangers come to one another's aid; mean kids tease young giant Fezzik; one character is intent on avenging his father's murder; the main theme is "true love will conquer all."
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Swashbuckling-style violence includes evil villains, murder, swordfights, knives, blood, death by poisoning, kidnapping, torture inflicted on humans and animals, giant carnivorous rats, and some other scary stuff. In the more intense scenes the focus is on suspense, not graphic descriptions. Among the most intense scenes is one in which a villain kills an innocent man in front of his victim's young son, then slices the boy's cheeks, scarring him for life.

  • Sex:

    Some kissing.

  • Language:

    Miracle Max calls the Spaniard a "spick."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    One of the main characters goes on an anxiety-fueled brandy drinking binge that lasts a few pages, but this side-story shows the destructive nature of alcohol.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Princess Bride

Parents need to know that this sharp-edged fairy tale is geared to tweens and older. The cliffhangers are more intense and some scenes are scarier than in the film version. You'll find truly evil villains, murder, swordfights, knives, blood, poisoning, kidnapping, torture, giant carnivorous rats and eels, and similar scary stuff. One character goes on drinking binge that reveals alcohol's destructive nature.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about their favorite scenes and characters, and how the book differs from the movie. Buttercup and Westley were heroic, but sometimes their pride got in the way -- can you think of scenes when this happened? Did the background on Fezzik's and Inigo's childhoods help explain their thoughts and actions as adults, and if so, how? How did humor add to this book? Would it be a completely different book if the humor was left out, and do you think you'd like it as much?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    skulduggery3
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0

    Not as good as the film.

    like I said in the title.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    bookbat
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I love this book

    one of my close friends said i should so read this book. i read it and loved it!! I think that this should be a must read to everyone who likes mythical cretures(R.O.U.S.), romance, and swashbukkling terror it is awsome. I hope you take my advice and read this book.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Adult Reviewer
    moviemadness
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Must-read book

    Parents should know that some of Mr. Goldman's commentary that is included in the book can be a bit mature at times. (He talks about divorcing his wife, and his reaction to a beautiful woman stepping out of a pool). The sequel to the book, Buttercup's Baby (which is included in some of the versions) contains a non-explicit sex scene and a difficult birth. Altogether, the story is hilarious, adventurous, romatic, and great for tweens+

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    numberdomino
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Perfect book for a true romantic at heart or a pirate

    Great book for teens but not that much for kids because some of it is a little deep or complex. Awesome book one of my favorites.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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