As You Wish by Cary ElwesJoe Layden Narrator: Cary Elwes, Christopher Guest, Carol Kane, Norman Lear, Rob Reiner, Wallace Shawn, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal
Length: 7 Hours 1 Minute
Published by Simon and Schuster on October 14th 2014
Genres: Biography & Autobiography, Entertainment & Performing Arts, Performing Arts, Film & Video, History & Criticism, Social Science, Popular Culture, General
Pages: 272
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes a first-person account and behind-the-scenes look at the making of the cult classic film filled with never-before-told stories, exclusive photographs, and interviews with costars Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, and Mandy Patinkin, as well as author and screenwriter William Goldman, producer Norman Lear, and director Rob Reiner.
The Princess Bride has been a family favorite for close to three decades. Ranked by the American Film Institute as one of the top 100 Greatest Love Stories and by the Writers Guild of America as one of the top 100 screenplays of all time, The Princess Bride will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.
Cary Elwes was inspired to share his memories and give fans an unprecedented look into the creation of the film while participating in the twenty-fifth anniversary cast reunion. In As You Wish he has created an enchanting experience; in addition to never-before seen photos and interviews with his fellow cast mates, there are plenty of set secrets and backstage stories.
With a foreword by Rob Reiner and a limited edition original poster by acclaimed artist Shepard Fairey, As You Wish is a must-have for all fans of this beloved film.
Why Did I Listen To As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making Of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes?
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making Of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes was kind of a major book at the last Book Expo America that I attended which was also the inaugural year of BookCon. After hearing about this book, I desperately wanted to read it. I am one of those people who has owned t-shirts that are Princess Bride themed. I have seen the movie upwards of 100 times. Actually, that might be exaggeration on my part. I’ve read William Goldman’s book more than once. I love the story and I also love celebrity memoirs on audiobook, so I had to plunk down my audible credit on this audiobook.
What’s As You Wish by Cary Elwes All About?
You know how I was pretty into Slimed? Well, As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making Of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes is a bit similar – in that it is an oral history of stories that have to do with the making of the iconic film, The Princess Bride. Although the book is written by Cary Elwes and Joe Layden, there are stories from many of the cast members of the film as well as Rob Reiner and William Goldman. We learn about how this film almost didn’t happen and how it was super hard to market. We learn about Andre the Giant and how cool he was – and his friendship with Elwes. I also loved learning about the fencing and how hard it was for Elwes. The cool thing about the movie is that they got world class fencers to train “Wesley” and “Inigo.” I also loved hearing how much the cast cares for their fans. It just filled me with great joy. This book truly reads like a love letter, almost, to the film and the magic the team had created. No hyperbole here, but I loved the audiobook of As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making Of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes.
What Was The Best Part?
There are seriously so many good stories in As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making Of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes. I will admit to laughing at the scene where we learn about this little person who was playing an ROUS get arrested the night before being due on set and so, he comes onto set with this insane story of what happened the night before and it’s hilarious and a little bit punk rock and just, such a cool tidbit to know about the film.
I also loved Elwes’s clear appreciation for Robin Wright. He considers her absolutely beautiful and beyond that, brilliant. There’s such admiration in the parts where he talks about working with her that it kind of makes me want them to be Wesley and Buttercup in real life.
It was also neat learning about how important The Princess Bride is to William Goldman and his family. We learn about why there isn’t a sequel just yet, but how important one is to him and his fear of messing up.
OH OH OH and speaking of messing up, did you guys know that Wallace Shawn had anxiety while filming The Princess Bride because he had heard that Danny DeVito was supposed to be cast for the part of Vizzini and so, molded his acting around that. It’s strange, because I cannot imagine this film with the characters played by anyone but the cast.
Really, so much of As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making Of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes is the BEST part, so honestly, I would like to say all of it.
How’s The Narration of As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making Of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes?
Unlike Slimed, the narration of this book is comprised of multi-narrators. THANK GOODNESS. No, seriously, I loved that each person who had a story or was sharing stories in Elwes’s book got to narrate their own part – except for a few cast members who had their parts narrated by some other guy. I loved hearing the different voices of beloved cast members in this audiobook. I thought it added something a little extra special and magical to the book. The different narrators are Cary Elwes, Christopher Guest, Carol Kane, Norman Lear, Rob Reiner, Wallace Shawn, Robin Wright, and Billy Crystal. They are perfect. I won’t lie, typing this review makes me want to listen to As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making Of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes all over again. It is such a perfect audiobook. It is 7 hours and 1 minute long, but honestly feels much shorter than that. It’s a book that almost goes by too fast.
Who Should Listen To This Book?
- Aficionados of The Princess Bride
- The Princess Bride fan who already has everything related to the book/movie
- People who like books about pop culture phenomenons
I should also tell you guys that I bought this book for a friend who was having a rough day and I am pretty sure that she loved it — so if you are looking for an on point present, this book would be it.
Sum It Up With A GIF:
GIRL. Get it.
Other Reviews of As You Wish by Cary Elwes:
Escaping Reality – “Witty, engaging, and beautiful”
Quinn’s Book Nook – “a must for all The Princess Bride fans”
Lost In A Great Book - “a wonderfully warm and affectionate look at a pivotal time in the author’s life”
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I’m so glad you liked this! I thought this was a great audiobook. I was most fascinated about Andre the Giant. But I also thought it was fascinating about Wallace Shawn having anxiety because I thought he was just so perfect as Vizzini.