I was super excited to read Jaws, because I am seriously into big-af monster sharks. While I can’t say I was disappointed by it, I just finished it feeling kind of meh about it. On the whole, I enjoyed it, but I don’t know that I’d recommend the book unless it was for very specific reasons.
Jaws by Peter Benchley Published by Random House on May 31, 2005
Pages: 320
Buy on Amazon, Buy on Barnes & Noble, Buy from The Book Depository
Goodreads
"Relentless terror." The Philadelphia Inquirer. The classic, blockbuster thriller of man-eating terror that inspired the Steven Spielberg movie and made millions of beachgoers afraid to go into the water. Experience the thrill of helpless horror again -- or for the first time!
What I liked about Jaws:
1. Naturally, there is a lot more back story in the book than they’re able to show in the movie. The motives for people makes a lot more sense, and the characters get superior development.
2. I adored Quint’s character. He’s kind of Ahab-like (not sure if that was intentional for Benchley), so I appreciated the modern take on a the gritty captain.
3. It’s a fast-paced book. There isn’t a whole lot of meandering about with this one. You basically dive right in…. (pun intended).
Why I didn’t give it 5-stars:
1. Although the book is fast-paced, you don’t really get a lot of shark action until the very end. I wished there had been more cool scenes where the shark was described.
2. Since I obviously saw the movie before I read it, I think the book’s action scenes with the shark pale in comparison. I hate to say it, but there are just some things that movies do better, and action scenes are one of them.
I would only recommend this one for people who loved the movie and want to know more about the characters. If you’re looking for an intense shark book, this one really doesn’t fit the bill until maybe the last 10%.
Do you enjoy monsters? Any monster books you’ve read that you would recommend?
A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.
