'As You Wish'

What makes a tale timeless? What makes a book or a movie or any other work of heart so special that it bridges any an all generation gaps? The answer is, that there is no answer. However, the untold adventures and memories of such epic moments in our lives help to make it so important. They are stories that need to be told, stories that deserved to be told.

Cary Elwes, with the help of Joe Layden, has written one of the most beautifully stunning memoirs I have ever read. When writing a memoir, you need to choose what is most important to you and why. Sometimes people write about experiences with grandparents or a traumatic experience in their life. Often times, the memoirs I have read have been heavy, heartbreaking, and sometimes too tough for me to finish in a timely manner.

As You Wish is totally different. Elwes tells the loving tales of the movie that practically made his career and made him a swash-buckling, debonair heartthrob throughout the world. His stories, even as I write this review, still make me smile. One in particular, about Andre the Giant and his thunderous farts still makes me laugh (and no I will not give you the full details on it because you need to read why this moment is more than just funny, it was heartwarming). In fact, every story Elwes shares with Andre felt like I was there with him and makes me wish I was just a little older so I could have had the honor and privilege of meeting a true gentle giant.

His meetings with Robin Wright and working with her were very sweet and romantic. Not necessarily in the ways of an epic romance would bloom for if they were destined to be together after working on The Princess Bride, they would be married now to this day. Their love is that of a true, strong, and lasting friendship, one that will never be broken and will endure more than most can ever imagine.

Elwes's descriptions of his meetings with Rob Reiner, William Goldman, and Andrew Scheinman are so humbling. He shows that he is just like all of us and has moments where he too can be star-struck and shy. He shows that he is self-conscious, humble, loving, kind, and well-red.

I cannot say enough good things about this book nor can I say much without feeling as if I am sharing someone else's memories. Elwes has shown how much The Princess Bride has meant not only to him and his cast and crewmates but to every person who has seen this film. His book brought a new life to this film for me and has even inspired me to finally go and read the book that inspired such a marvelous film. Elwes's words have moved me so much and I at times cried during this book.

I am glad that he included inserts from his fellow 'Bride' mates so that we could get a more personal insight as to how they felt and still feel about the movie and the book. I think what fascinated me the most about As You Wish is how many lives The Princess Bride touched as a book before the movie was ever made. I never realized how important it was to so many actors and directors and how long it took for such a stunning story to make it to the big screen.

If you want a true insight on The Princess Bride, if you wish to see how something becomes timeless and bridges gaps in generation, gender, and orientations of all kind, if you wish to read a truly touching, tale of the importance of friendships and working in a field that you absolutely love then read As You Wish. It is more than just a memoir of the making of the movie, it is a human adventure and has emotions and stories we can all relate to. Much like The Princess Bride,As You Wish is a book that can easily know no end, and will always hold a special place in my heart.