Book of the Month - December 2024
As You Wish
Cary Elwes and - ISBN: 978-1476764047 - 2016
Authors:
Cary Elwes
Cary Elwes is a celebrated English actor who starred in The Princess Bride before moving on to roles in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Glory, Days of Thunder, Twister, and Saw, among many other acclaimed performances. He will always be indebted to The Princess Bride, he says, for changing his life and giving him a career that has spanned decades. He lives in Hollywood, California, with his family. Find out more about Cary Elwes on Twitter @Cary_Elwes.
Joe Layden
Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Joe Layden has written more than thirty books for adults and children, including the critically acclaimed title, The Last Great Fight and the #1 New York Times bestseller The Rock Says. He lives in Saratoga Springs, New York, with his wife, Susan, and their two children.
Brief Synopsis:
From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes the New York Times bestselling account of 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.
Insights:
“That particular take was the one that ended up in the film. So when you see Westley fall to the ground and pass out, that’s not acting. That’s an overzealous actor actually losing consciousness.”
“Mandy swears that barely a day goes by that he isn’t asked by someone, somewhere, to recite Inigo Montoya’s most famous words, in which he vows vengeance on behalf of his father. “And I never let them down,” he says.”
“Over the past three decades I’ve appeared in nearly a hundred movies and television shows. I’ve been a leading man and a supporting actor and worked in almost every genre. But whatever else I’ve done or whatever else I might do, The Princess Bride will always be the work with which I am most closely associated; and Westley, with his wisp of a mustache and ponytail, the character with whom I will be forever linked. Not Glory, which earned higher critical praise upon release and won more awards; not Days of Thunder or Twister, both of which were summer blockbusters. Not even Saw, which was shot in eighteen days on a budget smaller than most movies spend on catering, and earned more than $100 million; and that’s just fine by me.”
“We had a really fun time working together on the film. With myself as a pirate. And she as a fair maiden. Running off together in the spirit of love and adventure.”
Should I read it or skip it?
I was 11 years old when the movie, The Princess Bride, came out on the big screen. I remember renting it from the video store. I had an Atari and I wanted to be Fred Savage so bad and stay home to play video games all day.
As You Wish by Cary Elwes is an absolute trip down memory lane, especially for fans of The Princess Bride. Reading it felt like catching up with an old friend who’s letting you in on the behind-the-scenes magic of something you’ve always loved. Elwes’s storytelling is warm, funny, and heartfelt, and it’s clear how much the film—and the people involved—meant to him. From hilarious on-set mishaps to touching moments with cast members, every chapter deepened my appreciation for the movie and the relationships that shaped it.
What I loved most was the tone: it’s sincere, nostalgic, and full of affection—not just for the film, but for the people who made it. Elwes includes memories from other cast members too, which adds richness and different perspectives. It’s not just a memoir; it’s a love letter to a story that has meant so much to so many. If The Princess Bride ever made you smile, this book will make you smile even more.
Normally I say read the book first. But in the case, watch the movie first. Then listen to the Audible version of the book. Lots of cast members and Elwes are great to hear rather than just read.
