Discussion Questions What did you think of his first chapter? Was it confusing with multiple introductions before?
S. Morgenstern, the country of Floren, and the original Princess Bride do not exist. Why do you think Goldman tries so hard to create this narrative of an abridged version of a longer, more boring book?
Even Goldman’s son in the book is a fiction, the real Goldman has 2 daughters. Why do you think Goldman portrayed himself the way he did in the book?
Did you find the author's interjections jarring? Did they take you out of the story or were they a useful and humorous tool to provide important information that otherwise would have slowed the pace of the book?
What do you think of the fat phobia throughout the book? Was his disconnect with his son supposed to represent something or was it meant to be humorous? What did you think when, in the introduction to Buttercup’s Baby, he became thin and attractive?
What did you think of the section in chapter one describing the “most beautiful women in the world” and their downfalls? Was Goldman trying to pass comment on modern beauty standards or was he upholding them?
Several characters strive to become the best they possibly can be - in fencing, mental aptitude, strength, or beauty. What do the motivations of the characters reveal?
What were your thoughts on the ending? Which version of the ending did you prefer? Morgenstern's more realistic, open to interpretation ending, or the happily ever after ending?
There is debate as to whether Goldman ever intended to write the entirety of the sequel book Buttercup’s Baby, or if it was just intended to be a continuation of the satirical narrative of S. Morgenstern and Florin. Which do you believe? Are you disappointed that there is no resolution to the kidnapping of Waverly?
What changes between the movie and the book did you notice? Did any of these surprise you? Do you think there was anything from the book that should have been in that was left out? Vica Versa?
No unabridged version of the Princess Bride exists. If it did, would you want to read it?
What did you think of his first chapter? Was it confusing with multiple introductions before?
S. Morgenstern, the country of Floren, and the original Princess Bride do not exist. Why do you think Goldman tries so hard to create this narrative of an abridged version of a longer, more boring book?
Even Goldman’s son in the book is a fiction, the real Goldman has 2 daughters. Why do you think Goldman portrayed himself the way he did in the book?
Did you find the author's interjections jarring? Did they take you out of the story or were they a useful and humorous tool to provide important information that otherwise would have slowed the pace of the book?
What do you think of the fat phobia throughout the book? Was his disconnect with his son supposed to represent something or was it meant to be humorous? What did you think when, in the introduction to Buttercup’s Baby, he became thin and attractive?
What did you think of the section in chapter one describing the “most beautiful women in the world” and their downfalls? Was Goldman trying to pass comment on modern beauty standards or was he upholding them?
Several characters strive to become the best they possibly can be - in fencing, mental aptitude, strength, or beauty. What do the motivations of the characters reveal?
What were your thoughts on the ending? Which version of the ending did you prefer? Morgenstern's more realistic, open to interpretation ending, or the happily ever after ending?
There is debate as to whether Goldman ever intended to write the entirety of the sequel book Buttercup’s Baby, or if it was just intended to be a continuation of the satirical narrative of S. Morgenstern and Florin. Which do you believe? Are you disappointed that there is no resolution to the kidnapping of Waverly?
What changes between the movie and the book did you notice? Did any of these surprise you? Do you think there was anything from the book that should have been in that was left out? Vica Versa?
No unabridged version of the Princess Bride exists. If it did, would you want to read it?