Fantasy/SF Book Reviews
Page One of TwoPrincess Bride by William Goldman
Ballantine Books, December 1998.Hardcover, 399 pages.
ISBN: 034543014X.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
William Goldman created an instant classic when he wrote
The Princess Bride, a mixture of comic novel, fairy tale and
swashbuckling adventure, in 1973. Goldman starts the story by
telling the readers that he first heard this fantastic story when
he was sick in bed as a little boy
and his father read him "just the good parts" of the original,
lengthy work by the fictional famous Florinese author, Morgenstern. The original
work supposedly had much more boring description and
lengthy digressions about the manners and mores of Florin, from
which Goldman now mercifully spares the modern reader. (In fact, many
readers seem never to have gotten Goldman's original joke and
ask where to find the Morgenstern original of the work.) The story
revolves around Buttercup, the most beautiful, perfect woman the
world has ever known and her love for Westley, who goes from farmboy
to dashing adventurer all for the love of Buttercup. With
evil villains, a friendly giant, a quest for revenge, torture, redemption
from death, and, of course, true love, this story has something for everyone,
whether it's read as a straight fairy tale, a satire or as a comic novel.
The writing is as crisp, witty and hilarious as ever and the characters
are vivid and compelling.
This hardcover 25th Anniversary Edition of this popular book is a welcome gift from Ballantine Books. Although the movie made from the book starring Robin Wright as Buttercup, Cary Elwes as Westley and Mandy Patinkin as Inigo, was excellent, it can never quite match the experience of reading Goldman's wonderful prose. Fantasy lovers should rush out to buy this wonderful new edition, which includes an excerpt of the thrilling sequel, entitled Buttercup's Baby.
The Death of the Necromancer by Martha Wells
Eos, July 1998.Hardcover, 359 pages.
ISBN: 0380973340.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
In the magical kingdom of Ile Rien, which resembles
19th century Paris in many ways, Nicholas Valiarde
leads a dual life. By day, he is a respected nobleman;
by night, he is the notorious thief Donatien whose
legendary jewel thefts are helping him finance
his plot for revenge against the evil Count Montesq.
Montesq was responsible for the death of Valiarde's
beloved uncle by having the uncle falsely accused and
convicted of the crime of necromancy, in which
sorcerers use the dead for evil purposes. One night,
while relieving an obnoxious aristocrat of some
gold, he runs into a terrible monster under the
city who is clearly the work of a necromancer.
Suddenly, Nicholas and his friends' lives are in
great danger as it appears a long-dead sorcerer
has somehow returned and seems intent on destroying
Nicholas in the most grisly way possible. Nicholas
must stop the terrible evil that is poised over the city
with the help of his friends: the beautiful actress Madeline,
the brave guard Reynard, the brilliant sorcerer Aristide
and a motley crew of former street criminals loyal to Valiarde.
The search for this evil power will lead the band of
friends from the twisted labyrinths deep below the city to the
Queen's castle, in an adventure which will test all of their
skills and loyalty and cause them to team up with their
greatest enemy for the greater good.
Martha Wells has crafted a spellbinding novel with elements of fantasy, horror and mystery. The city of Ile-Rien is absolutely fascinating, bringing to mind the London of Sherlock Holmes and the gaslight era in Paris. The atmosphere is dark with flashes of humor, and the characters are complex and alive. A chilling and memorable tale.
Return to the January 1999 issue of The IWJ.
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