Goldman, William Books

The Silent Gondoliers

William Goldman

Amazon Price: $8.00 List Price: $10.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Del Rey Amazon Marketplace: 47 new & used starting at $1.48

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A cute, quick read. 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is a cute little fable that's quick and easy to read. I was, however, a little disappointed. I expected something a little more like "The Princess Bride", considering that it was written by William Goldman (and that the S. Morgenstern device was used again). On its own, it's a nice little story. Just don't compare it to "The Princess Bride".

Editorial Review:

The return of a beloved classic,
from the bestselling author of The Princess Bride!

Once upon a time, the gondoliers of Venice possessed the finest voices in all the world. But, alas, few remember those days--and fewer still were ever blessed to hear such glorious singing. No one since has discovered the secret behind the sudden silence of the golden-voiced gondoliers. No one, it seems, but S. Morgenstern. Now Morgenstern recounts the sad and noble story of the ambitions, frustrations, and eventual triumph of Luigi, the gondolier with the goony smile.

Here, in this brilliantly illustrated exposition of the surprising facts behind this all-but-forgotten mystery, S. Morgenstern reveals the fascinating truths about John the Bastard, Laura Lorenzini, the centenarian Cristaldi the Pickle, Enrico Caruso, Porky XII, the Great Sorrento, the Queen of Corsica--and of course, the one and only Luigi. His tale will captivate you as much as his song!

The Princess Bride

William Goldman

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Phoenix Audio Amazon Marketplace: 31 new & used starting at $8.08

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 671 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Princess Bride is a true fantasy classic. William Goldman describes it as a "good parts version" of "S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure." Morgenstern's original was filled with details of Florinese history, court etiquette, and Mrs. Morgenstern's mostly complimentary views of the text. Much admired by academics, the "Classic Tale" nonetheless obscured what Mr. Goldman feels is a story that has everything: "Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles."

Goldman frames the fairy tale with an "autobiographical" story: his father, who came from Florin, abridged the book as he read it to his son. Now, Goldman is publishing an abridged version, interspersed with comments on the parts he cut out.

Is The Princess Bride a critique of classics like Ivanhoe and The Three Musketeers, that smother a ripping yarn under elaborate prose? A wry look at the differences between fairy tales and real life? Simply a funny, frenetic adventure? No matter how you read it, you'll put it on your "keeper" shelf. --Nona Vero

The Silent Gondoliers: A Fable by S. Morgenstern

S. Morgenstern

List Price: $12.95 By: Ballantine Books Amazon Marketplace: 35 new & used starting at $2.95

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Why is this out of print?! 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 12 people found this review helpful.

This is a great book, and it deserves to be in print! I stumbled across it in a university library (if you've ever searched for light reading in a library geared for research, you'll realize how lucky I was) and it was very good. I think in some ways I liked it better than THE PRINCESS BRIDE. I think that maybe have been because Luigi, the main character, wasn't perfect at all the way Buttercup and Wesley were. (Well, Buttercup was too stupid to be perfect, but otherwise . . .) If you can find a copy of it, read it!

A wonderful book by the author of the Princess Bride 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I've had this book forever and had no idea it was rare. I love it because it is clear at a younger age but doesn't get boring or repetitive, as one of those classic books that just get better. I think it is superior to the Princess Bride as the characters are beleivable. I highly recommend it!

O sole mio, share this with your children 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I read this book this morning for breakfast and will read it again later tonight for dessert.

This gorgeous little fable turns words so well it deserves to be read aloud, to your children, to your lover, whomever. I found it even more charming than "The Princess Bride."

Luigi is an affable every-man who simply has a dream. I fell in love with him, thinking about him in his gonodolier's costume poling down The Grand Canal with his godawful singing voice, the latter of which resonates personally for me. Also, like Luigi, I have a goony smile.

Hopefully I'll visit Venice someday, and until then, this book will take me there whenever I wish.

I found my copy yesterday in my favorite used book store, (shout-out to Book Castle in downtown Burbank) and it's in perfect condition. Even the dust jacket is as crisp as it was back in 1983. The illustrations are flawless and exactly what would excite a child's imagination.

I notice this version is only available used. Buy it and promise to read it aloud. It will not disappoint.