As You Wish

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes with Joe Layden, 259 pages

We all know the movie The Princess Bride. The story of love, adventure, sword-fighting, giants, Rodents of Unusual Size, six-fingered men, and miracles hit movie theaters in 1987, receiving great reviews and tepid attendance, but over the past 28 years, has grown into a family classic through VHS and DVD. In this book, Elwes (or Westley, as he's better known to fans of the movie) presents his memoir of the making of the movie, starting from casting and taking us all the way through to the 25th anniversary celebration. Peppered throughout are anecdotes provided by others involved with the movie, including director Rob Reiner, author/screenwriter William Goldman, and actors Robin Wright (Buttercup), Mandy Patinkin (Inigo Montoya), Wallace Shawn (Vizzini), Billy Crystal (Miracle Max), and Carol Kane (Valerie).

I listened to the audiobook of this and it was AWESOME. Several of the added anecdotes were read by the person who provided them, which lent a documentary feel to the audiobook. I particularly loved hearing Rob Reiner give voice to his own anecdotes, especially a gem about his weirdest Princess Bride-fan encounter, which had me in tears I was laughing so hard. This is probably my favorite audiobook that I've listened to. Even without the added voices, I'd decided not long into listening that Cary Elwes should read ALL audiobooks and/or come to my house to read bedtime stories.

What really struck me, however, was how each person involved with the movie has carried it with them fondly over these last three decades. As Elwes notes toward the end of the book, the movie was made with love, and it shows, both on the screen and in this memoir. Well worth reading, or better yet, listening to.