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Despite the introduction, this book wasn’t written by S. Morgernstern and it isn’t a satire on Florinese politics. Neither does it portray accurately the relationship of Guilder and Florin. The truth of that relationship is buried deep in the Dutch monetary system.
A better description is found in the subtitle. It is A Hot Fairy Tale. It concerns Romance and Errantry; Peril and Torture; great deeds and deadly creatures.
Buttercup is (eventually) the most beautiful girl in the world and is betrothed to Prince Humperdink, the heir to the throne of Florin. However, she loves Westley, the Farm Boy…
So far, so predictable, and it must be admitted the plot is not entirely free of cliche. That, however, is the whole point. It takes the stereotypes that always act out such stories, and pushes them right over the edge. The result is a delicious farce, and the Heroic Romance is most unlikely to recover from it.
What are the motives of the Man in Black? Who is the Dread Pirate Roberts? What is an R. O. U. S. and what do you do to escape from it?
From the impossible climb up the Cliffs of Insanity to the climax in the Zoo of Death where we learn the nature of the Machine, the pace never flags and the tongue protrudes firmly outwards from the cheek. (Don’t laugh too hard—you’ll bite it off and even the Miracle Man Max won’t be able to help you then.)
Will Buttercup marry the evil prince? Will there be war with Guilder? Will Inigo find the six-fingered nobleman?
I defy anyone with a sense of humour not to enjoy this book. And once you’ve read it, heroic tales of derring-do will never be quite the same again.
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