I am reposting this 2014 review by Bookwi.se Contributor Seth Simmons because the Audible.com Audiobook is on sale today only for $3.95.
This is a fantastic book for anyone who’s a fan of The Princess Bride. Carey Elwes takes you behind the scenes of one of the most beloved movies in modern times. Apparently William Goldman’s famous fairy tale was incredibly difficult to get greenlit, let alone actually produced, and I shudder to think how different the film would have been had Rob Reiner not directed and the perfect cast not been obtained.
We get a close look at all elements of the film from Elwes’ perspective, but with lots of extra insight and commentary from a host of others: Reiner, Goldman, Christopher Guest, Chris Sarandon, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, Wallace Shawn, Mandy Patinkin, and more.
This book is chock full of fascinating and hilarious details that will delight and entertain fans of the film. I listened to the audiobook, read by Elwes himself (most other contributors read their own parts as well), which was great fun. Elwes can get a bit overly sentimental, and his upbeat British jocular tone occasionally grated, but it wasn’t a significant problem. I’m still going to browse the physical book when it comes from the library so I can see the photos. Highly recommended!
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes Purchase Links: Hardcover, Kindle Edition, Audible.com Audiobook
Darned, you went and made me buy a book again. Now I’m reading this and the Princess Bride (which I’d never read before) together. It’s making my tough December end well. Lotsa fun.
LOL — I thought Adam reviewed this. Adam should read more books like this and less like Bell’s Zimzum!