 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Princess Bride
- By William Goldman
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Fast-paced fun, but more intense than the movie.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
After learning that her wayward true love, Westley, will never return for her, beautiful, brokenhearted Buttercup agrees to marry entirely undeserving Prince Humperdinck. But before the wedding festivities can commence, Buttercup is kidnapped and whisked away in a boat, her life in the hands of a vicious gang.
Thus begins an edge-of-your-seat adventure involving a six-fingered killer, a royal fiend, a misunderstood giant, a vengeful Spaniard, a retired miracle worker, and the mysterious masked man in black. Toss in a desperate race up the Cliffs of Insanity, wild swordfights, hungry rodents of unusual size, screaming eels, and even more trouble, and it's hard not to believe that the young maiden is doomed.
Will Buttercup survive her increasingly perilous circumstances to find true love again? Rest assured, happiness prevails in the end.
Is it any good?
It's impossible to review THE PRINCESS BRIDE without comparing it to the popular film version of the edgy fairy tale. William Goldman wrote both the book and the screenplay, but the more detailed book includes darker, scarier situations. Goldman's wild ride evokes virtually every emotion possible and the plot moves so quickly in most parts that readers may need to remind themselves to breathe.
Two standout differences in the book are Prince Humperdinck's Zoo of Death (where the brutish royal fights caged animals to the death and always wins), and further development of Fezzik and Inigo Montoya through poignant childhood flashbacks. The description of Humperdinck's "hobby" adds a touch of pure evil, and the flashbacks add so much to the story that you'll wish Miracle Max could magically add them to the next edition of the DVD.
What 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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AGE
It's A Classic
This book (and movie) is a classic that people of all ages will enjoy for a long time. Action, Romance, Comedy—It really isn't lacking anything. If you're wondering how old your kids should be to read it, then think about it. If your kid loves Pirates of the Caribbean, they're probably bound to like this book/movie. It really matters about who the child is to know how old they should be before they read it.
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AGE
I loved it! One of the best books i ever read!
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AGE
its entertaining for older children with adult supervision
its is a good movie for your mature kids, around the age of ten, just make sure you watch the movie with them.
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AGE
Amazing Book!
I had no idea that there was a book to the movie, until one of my friends said it was one of her favorite books. She had told me it was much better than the movie, and she was right! it was really easy to read because it was really close to the movie.
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AGE
AMAZING
This book is an absolute must-read. It is by far one of my favorite books of all time- I could read it over and over again and never get bored. It's witty, heart wrenching, dramatic, entertaining, exciting, funny....In my opinion, kids can start reading it around the age of 12 or 13, any younger than that and they would need an adult with them, or if not an adult they would just be a bit too young to understand all of the themes. Truly an amazing book.
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AGE
Not as good as the film.
like I said in the title.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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+
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AGE
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.
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| Topics: | princesses and fairies |
| Author: | William Goldman |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Del Rey |
| Publication date: | May 7, 1998 |
| Number of pages: | 400 |
| Hardcover price: | $24.95 |
| Paperback price: | $7.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 10 |
| Read alone: | 12 |
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