William Goldman
Biography
William Goldman was an American novelist, screenwriter, and playwright, born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1931. He rose to prominence with his novels before becoming one of Hollywood's most sought-after screenwriters. Goldman was celebrated for his distinctive narrative voice, which often blended humor, cynicism, and meta-commentary, famously breaking the fourth wall in works like 'The Princess Bride.' His screenplays for films such as 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' and 'All the President's Men' earned him Academy Awards and cemented his reputation as a master storyteller. He also penned influential non-fiction works about the film industry, including 'Adventures in the Screen Trade.' Throughout his career, Goldman demonstrated a unique ability to craft compelling narratives across various genres, leaving an indelible mark on both literature and cinema before his passing in 2018.
Selected Thoughts
«Life is pain, highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.»
«Nobody knows anything. Not one person in the entire motion picture field knows for a certainty what's going to work. Every time out it's a guess and, if you're lucky, an educated one.»
«I've been many things in my life, but I've never been a horse.»
Writing Style
Goldman's writing style is characterized by its direct, conversational, and often irreverent tone. He frequently employed meta-narrative techniques, such as footnotes and asides, to directly engage the reader and comment on the storytelling process itself. His prose is witty, cynical, and highly engaging, often deconstructing traditional narrative tropes while delivering sharp dialogue and unexpected plot twists. He masterfully blended humor with suspense, creating a unique voice that was both entertaining and thought-provoking across his novels and screenplays.