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Cover of The Princess Bride

Fantasy · Classics

The Princess Bride

by William Goldman

4.2 out of 5, from 1,417 ratings from Hardcover readers

Presented as an abridgement of an old classic by an author who pretends to be only the editor, this is a tale of a farm boy and the beautiful girl he loves. They are separated by pirates, a prince and a quest for revenge.

Facts last checked 2026-10-16

First published
1973
Pace
Fast
Length
Medium
Pages
456
Format
Standalone
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Read this if you want a witty, affectionate adventure that parodies fairy tales while still being moving.

Skip this if you want a serious epic, or you would rather not have the narrator interrupt the story with asides.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Violence

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Torture
  • Animal death
  • Child death

Quick answers about The Princess Bride

What is The Princess Bride about?
Presented as an abridgement of an old classic by an author who pretends to be only the editor, this is a tale of a farm boy and the beautiful girl he loves. They are separated by pirates, a prince and a quest for revenge.
Who should read The Princess Bride?
Read it if you want a witty, affectionate adventure that parodies fairy tales while still being moving. Skip it if you want a serious epic, or you would rather not have the narrator interrupt the story with asides.
How long and how fast is The Princess Bride?
It is a fast-paced, medium read of about 456 pages, first published in 1973.
Does The Princess Bride have content warnings?
Content we flag: Violence.
Can I borrow The Princess Bride for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Princess Bride; the borrow button above searches it for you.
What should I read after The Princess Bride?
Readers who liked it often move on to Stardust, The Three Musketeers, Good Omens.

Where to get it

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