Autobiographical fiction William Goldman







simon morgenstern both pseudonym , narrative device invented goldman add layer novel princess bride. presents novel abridged version of work fictional morgenstern, author equally fictional country of florin. name may reference johann carl simon morgenstern, coined term bildungsroman.


the details of goldman s life given in introduction , commentary princess bride largely fictional. instance, claims wife helen psychiatrist , inspired abridge morgenstern s princess bride child, son. (the princess bride originated bedtime story goldman s 2 daughters, , wife s name ilene.) not treats morgenstern , countries of florin , guilder real, claims own father florinese , had immigrated america. @ 1 point in princess bride, goldman s commentary indicates had wanted add passage elaborating scene morgenstern skipped over. explains editors not allow him take such liberties original text, , encourages readers write publisher request copy of scene. both original publisher , successor have responded such requests letters describing supposed legal problems morgenstern estate.


in 15th , 25th anniversary editions of princess bride, goldman claimed wanted adapt morgenstern s sequel, buttercup s baby, unable because morgenstern s estate wanted stephen king abridgment instead. continued fictional details of own life, claiming psychiatrist wife had divorced him, , son had grown have son of own.


goldman wrote silent gondoliers under morgenstern pseudonym.








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