Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Princess Bride summary
Brief summary
The Princess Bride by William Goldman is a timeless tale of love and adventure. Filled with sword fights, giants, and true love, this book takes you on a thrilling journey through the fantastical kingdom of Florin.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Princess Bride
Summary of key ideas
The Beginning of a Classic Tale
In The Princess Bride by William Goldman, we are introduced to a young boy who is bedridden with the flu. His grandfather, who is visiting, decides to read him a story to pass the time. The story is about a beautiful young woman named Buttercup and her true love, Westley, a farm boy. The two fall deeply in love, but Westley leaves to seek his fortune, promising to return to her.
However, Buttercup receives news that Westley's ship was attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts, and he is presumed dead. Heartbroken, she agrees to marry the cruel Prince Humperdinck. Meanwhile, Westley, who is actually alive, becomes the Dread Pirate Roberts himself, driven by his love for Buttercup.
The Adventures Begin
As the story unfolds, we learn that Prince Humperdinck has sinister plans. He wants to start a war with a neighboring country, Guilder, and he intends to kill Buttercup on their wedding night, framing Guilder for her murder. To achieve this, he hires Vizzini, a Sicilian criminal mastermind, to kidnap and kill her.
However, Vizzini's plans are thwarted by a mysterious man in black, who is actually Westley in disguise. He defeats Vizzini in a battle of wits and rescues Buttercup. The two flee into the dangerous Fire Swamp, where they encounter Rodents of Unusual Size and quicksand, but manage to survive.
The Battle of Wits and Revenge
As they continue their escape, they are captured by Prince Humperdinck's men. Westley is tortured and killed, and Buttercup is taken back to the castle. In the meantime, we learn that Westley is not dead, but has been kept alive by the sadistic Count Rugen, Humperdinck's right-hand man, who has a personal vendetta against him.
Westley is eventually rescued by Inigo Montoya, a skilled swordsman seeking revenge on Count Rugen for killing his father. Together with Fezzik, a gentle giant, they form an unlikely trio and plan to storm the castle to save Buttercup and exact their revenge. Inigo's famous line, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die," becomes a recurring theme.
The Final Showdown
As the story reaches its climax, the trio infiltrates the castle, with Inigo and Fezzik facing off against Humperdinck's men, while Westley confronts Prince Humperdinck and Count Rugen. Inigo finally gets his revenge on Count Rugen, and Fezzik defeats the castle's brute, while Westley challenges Humperdinck to a duel.
Westley defeats Humperdinck, but instead of killing him, he forces him to marry Buttercup. The story ends with the young boy realizing that his grandfather has skipped over the mushy parts of the story, and he asks him to come back and read it again the next day. The grandfather agrees, and the two share a tender moment, leaving the ending of the story open to interpretation.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Princess Bride about?
The Princess Bride is a classic fantasy novel filled with adventure, romance, and humor. Written by William Goldman, it tells the story of a young woman named Buttercup and her true love, Westley, as they navigate through a series of challenges, including a vengeful prince and a band of misfit companions. With its witty narration and memorable characters, this book is a timeless tale of love and perseverance.
The Princess Bride Review
The Princess Bride (1973) is a delightful adventure that captivates readers with its timeless charm and wit. Here's what makes this book worth the read:
- With its unique blend of romance, comedy, and swashbuckling action, the story takes readers on a thrilling journey that keeps them entertained from start to finish.
- Filled with memorable characters including the charming Westley and the feisty Princess Buttercup, the book offers a cast that is both lovable and relatable.
- The book's clever narrative style and witty dialogue make every page a joy to read, ensuring that readers are never bored.
Who should read The Princess Bride?
- Readers who enjoy a mix of fantasy, romance, and adventure
- Those who appreciate clever and humorous storytelling
- People who love classic tales with a modern twist
Categories with The Princess Bride
Book summaries like The Princess Bride
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Princess Bride FAQs
What is the main message of The Princess Bride?
The main message of The Princess Bride is a tale of love and adventure with a touch of humor.
How long does it take to read The Princess Bride?
The reading time for The Princess Bride varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Princess Bride a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Princess Bride is a captivating book that combines romance, humor, and adventure. It is definitely worth reading.
Who is the author of The Princess Bride?
The author of The Princess Bride is William Goldman.
What to read after The Princess Bride?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Princess Bride, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
- A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
- Theory U by C. Otto Scharmer
- The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
- The Innovator ’s Dilemma# by Clayton M. Christensen
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda