The third time I've attempted to read The Princess Bride, and the second time I actually succeeded. I gave up trying to read it a few years ago because Goldman was just coming across as too much of an arsehole. His constant belittling of his (fictitious) son and wife annoyed me too much.

This time I stuck it out and tried to concentrate on the adventures of Wesley and Buttercup, but I found myself enjoying Goldman's little intrusions more and more as I began to appreciate what it is that he is doing with these asides.

Overall a really good read, but much, much darker than people give it credit.