Helpful Score: 3
Who hasn't seen the movie at least once ? That the book is very different from the movie splatter does indeed surprise as it takes a few completely different turns than the movie does.
The story itself is pretty much the same:
Amity is a vacation community on Long Island that lives on the earnings taken in during the summer vacation season and it's tourism.
At the early summer days a girl is killed by a shark. The chief of police, Martin Brody, wants to close the beach but is pressured by higher locals and the selectmen to not do it. When more people die in a short amount of time he's still pressured to keep the beach open and after a short time of having them closed to open them again.
Ichthyologist Matt Hooper arrives in town to help with the search of the killer fish and for many days Chief Brody, Hooper and the venturous fisher Quint try to find the fish but it seems that the fish is the one that comes to them, taking first Hooper and then Quint. Brody faces the fish on the sinking boat and comes away ... . alive.
So much for the plot. But there is much more to mention which wasn't included in the movie. For example Ellen Brody's unhappiness with her social status and her short escape into an affair with Matt Hooper. The islands political structure and not to forget the fish hunt which is so different from the movie. I've been waiting for the famous sentence said by Brody "We need a bigger boat" but it never came. Instead Hooper didn't survive and got killed when he went down in the shark cage.
The ending of the book is completely different from the movie as well and I don't know which one I like more. Probably the movie ending because it has more of an impact but the book ending certainly explains more of the course the Brody family seems to have to go through in the future.
Overall, after today's standard the book probably wouldn't be such a success than it was in 1974. The characters are very unsympathetic with Brody being the most real.
The story itself is pretty much the same:
Amity is a vacation community on Long Island that lives on the earnings taken in during the summer vacation season and it's tourism.
At the early summer days a girl is killed by a shark. The chief of police, Martin Brody, wants to close the beach but is pressured by higher locals and the selectmen to not do it. When more people die in a short amount of time he's still pressured to keep the beach open and after a short time of having them closed to open them again.
Ichthyologist Matt Hooper arrives in town to help with the search of the killer fish and for many days Chief Brody, Hooper and the venturous fisher Quint try to find the fish but it seems that the fish is the one that comes to them, taking first Hooper and then Quint. Brody faces the fish on the sinking boat and comes away ... . alive.
So much for the plot. But there is much more to mention which wasn't included in the movie. For example Ellen Brody's unhappiness with her social status and her short escape into an affair with Matt Hooper. The islands political structure and not to forget the fish hunt which is so different from the movie. I've been waiting for the famous sentence said by Brody "We need a bigger boat" but it never came. Instead Hooper didn't survive and got killed when he went down in the shark cage.
The ending of the book is completely different from the movie as well and I don't know which one I like more. Probably the movie ending because it has more of an impact but the book ending certainly explains more of the course the Brody family seems to have to go through in the future.
Overall, after today's standard the book probably wouldn't be such a success than it was in 1974. The characters are very unsympathetic with Brody being the most real.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was a nightmare. An utter disaster.
I went into it expecting it to be far better than the movies, because that is typically the case. It was not.
At least the movie got it mostly right. It was about the shark and it's unexplainable appearance and extended stay in the waters of the small island town. What the movie got wrong was the the shark was not a monster, but a victim. I always cheered for the shark. What the book got right was... Quint dying--which is not a spoiler because it happens in the movie and if you haven't seen the movie at least once, I just don't know what you've been doing with your life.
So it started off really great, the initial shark attack, they immediately knew it was a shark attack, and the Chief of police was strong-armed into covering the whole thing up in order to save the summer tourism for the island. And to some degree, it's almost understandable. They need the summer tourism boom to live through the winter, and the statistics suggested that there wouldn't be another attack. Even if the Chief had a bad feeling about it. And of course the Chief was right to want close the beaches, because two more people get attacked--in the same day. They can't hide it any more. News outlets have gotten hold of the story and it's beginning to look bad for Amity.
Then a good third of the books goes on to focus on Chief Brody and is wife and their marital problems. Ellen who is portrayed as loving and strong in the films is a selfish, weak [insert bad word] in the novel. Long story short, she regrets giving up her life of means to marry Martin and she makes him suffer for it. She has an affair with Hooper and the whole thing just makes me hate her character completely.
They uncover information that the mayor is in deep with the mafia which is why he's been pushing Chief Brody to reopen the beaches in time for Independence Day. Which, actually kinda makes more sense than the entire town council being a bunch of heartless jerks who didn't care if tourists died in a shark attack as long as they made good money that summer.
This book was definitely a product of the time it was written in. It screamed 1970s from the terminology used to the behaviors displayed. But Quint was by and far the worst. He was a horrible person in both book and film. His methods were despicable and his lack of empathy for animal life... Needless to say he deserved to die even if he didn't get the death he deserved. The shark took him with him, but I feel he should have been the shark's last meal.
I was really cheering for the shark to live and everyone else to die. But no such luck. The best parts of the book were Quint kicking the bucket and Hooper waxing poetic about the possibility of megalodon being a live somewhere in the depths of the ocean and how beautiful she would be.
This was just a disappointment to me.
I went into it expecting it to be far better than the movies, because that is typically the case. It was not.
At least the movie got it mostly right. It was about the shark and it's unexplainable appearance and extended stay in the waters of the small island town. What the movie got wrong was the the shark was not a monster, but a victim. I always cheered for the shark. What the book got right was... Quint dying--which is not a spoiler because it happens in the movie and if you haven't seen the movie at least once, I just don't know what you've been doing with your life.
So it started off really great, the initial shark attack, they immediately knew it was a shark attack, and the Chief of police was strong-armed into covering the whole thing up in order to save the summer tourism for the island. And to some degree, it's almost understandable. They need the summer tourism boom to live through the winter, and the statistics suggested that there wouldn't be another attack. Even if the Chief had a bad feeling about it. And of course the Chief was right to want close the beaches, because two more people get attacked--in the same day. They can't hide it any more. News outlets have gotten hold of the story and it's beginning to look bad for Amity.
Then a good third of the books goes on to focus on Chief Brody and is wife and their marital problems. Ellen who is portrayed as loving and strong in the films is a selfish, weak [insert bad word] in the novel. Long story short, she regrets giving up her life of means to marry Martin and she makes him suffer for it. She has an affair with Hooper and the whole thing just makes me hate her character completely.
They uncover information that the mayor is in deep with the mafia which is why he's been pushing Chief Brody to reopen the beaches in time for Independence Day. Which, actually kinda makes more sense than the entire town council being a bunch of heartless jerks who didn't care if tourists died in a shark attack as long as they made good money that summer.
This book was definitely a product of the time it was written in. It screamed 1970s from the terminology used to the behaviors displayed. But Quint was by and far the worst. He was a horrible person in both book and film. His methods were despicable and his lack of empathy for animal life... Needless to say he deserved to die even if he didn't get the death he deserved. The shark took him with him, but I feel he should have been the shark's last meal.
I was really cheering for the shark to live and everyone else to die. But no such luck. The best parts of the book were Quint kicking the bucket and Hooper waxing poetic about the possibility of megalodon being a live somewhere in the depths of the ocean and how beautiful she would be.
This was just a disappointment to me.
Helpful Score: 1
The reason for my fear of the Ocean!!!!
Helpful Score: 1
Allow me to preface this review with the following fact: Jaws is one of my very favorite movies of all time. Which is why, having read other Peter Benchley novels, I wanted to read the book. And which is also why I would say that I'm quite biased. With that being said... I did NOT like this book. Thank you Steven Spielberg for making such an awesome movie that brought out all the key points of this terrible, rambling story. I found myself hating most of the characters, the "affair" section (which I'm sure you've heard about if you read other reviews) was totally pointless, and it was just a terrible mess. So I would have to say that this is one of the rare occasions that I HATED the book, LOVED the movie.
Helpful Score: 1
Very good book, except the 'part two' the affair isnt the greatest part, and it disrupts the flow. Do what I did. Read the book, quick skim over the affair part, and enjoy the ending.
Helpful Score: 1
JAWS the novel will never live up to JAWS the movie, but anyone who loves the movie would be more than rewarded for chomping into Peter Benchley's deep blue vision of a shark terrorizing the local holiday resort of Amity Island. Jaws topped the bestseller list for 44 weeks and had massive appeal. It is a well written horror story about a shark attack and a local cop, Chief Brody, who needs to restore order to a town that is quickly loosing its summer trade. There are many different plot elements not found in the movie, like the Amity rapist, the mafia connection, several variations in the shark attacks, Ellen Brody's character is more fully developed and she even tries to have an affair with Hooper. Vaughn is up to his eyeballs in dept. There is also the character of Whitman, the newspaper editor. Yes there are many elements in the movie that are not in the book and similar scenes are not played out as good. You are forgiven to pass on the lengthy dinner sequence or the Ellen Brody / Hooper after flirt. However the ending is so very different that it will have you extremely surprised in the final 30 pages that are just as shocking as the movie. In fact it is the variation in how it was originally conceived that should make any fan happy. There are some very shocking things that Quint gets up to in his boat with sharks and dolphins. The man versus beast element is very strong and the book is considerably violent in many ways other than just shark attacks. It is much darker than the movie which was aimed at a family audience. The book is a lot harsher and doesn't shy away from some stuff that will have you look away from the page. It is absolutely shocking stuff at times and so lives up to its hype.
Book was fun and interesting as compared to the movie. A few differences...some small and a few larger ones that added a bit of variance and interest. Of course, the initial death of Crissy is always the one that haunts us all and reading it only amplifies that sentiment of "clutching your pearls". Good read and moves quickly!
So terrifying you will look very carefully before stepping into the surf on your next vacation.
(From Amazon.com)
"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!
"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!
Absolutely the Best Book ever written in '70s Great Thriller. This book is a Must Read! He capitivates you and gets you to the edge of your chair and keeps you there until the very last page..
Truely aweful. The shark only makes an apperance a handful of times, and is a side story to a failing romance. Watch the movie and leave the book on the shelf.
I wish I'd read the book before seeing the film. Now's your chance...
This is a good, easy book to listen to on audio...just not while on your next trip to the beach! I enjoyed listening to it but I can honestly say that the movie was much better than the book. That isn't to say that the book is bad, I'm just saying that the movie was awesome so don't expect this story to grab you in exactly the same way. The reason that the book drags, in my opinion, is that the characters are muddy and even the "good guys" are mildly annoying. There are too many runners going through the story to make it as seamless as it should be and I think that, with a little less distraction, the author could have KO'd me with a flurry of fists instead of just jabbing at me and giving me the occasional right hook. I do recommend this book but I definitely think that audio is the way to go on this one, especially if you - like me - will not finish a story if you have to wade through a bit of boring silliness to get to the real action.
Sadly, I couldn't even finish this book. I made it to about 130 pages before I decided it's not for me. I'll stick with the movie.
This book was a nightmare. An utter disaster.
I went into it expecting it to be far better than the movies, because that is typically the case. It was not.
At least the movie got it mostly right. It was about the shark and it's unexplainable appearance and extended stay in the waters of the small island town. What the movie got wrong was the the shark was not a monster, but a victim. I always cheered for the shark. What the book got right was... Quint dying--which is not a spoiler because it happens in the movie and if you haven't seen the movie at least once, I just don't know what you've been doing with your life.
So it started off really great, the initial shark attack, they immediately knew it was a shark attack, and the Chief of police was strong-armed into covering the whole thing up in order to save the summer tourism for the island. And to some degree, it's almost understandable. They need the summer tourism boom to live through the winter, and the statistics suggested that there wouldn't be another attack. Even if the Chief had a bad feeling about it. And of course the Chief was right to want close the beaches, because two more people get attacked--in the same day. They can't hide it any more. News outlets have gotten hold of the story and it's beginning to look bad for Amity.
Then a good third of the books goes on to focus on Chief Brody and is wife and their marital problems. Ellen who is portrayed as loving and strong in the films is a selfish, weak [insert bad word] in the novel. Long story short, she regrets giving up her life of means to marry Martin and she makes him suffer for it. She has an affair with Hooper and the whole thing just makes me hate her character completely.
They uncover information that the mayor is in deep with the mafia which is why he's been pushing Chief Brody to reopen the beaches in time for Independence Day. Which, actually kinda makes more sense than the entire town council being a bunch of heartless jerks who didn't care if tourists died in a shark attack as long as they made good money that summer.
This book was definitely a product of the time it was written in. It screamed 1970s from the terminology used to the behaviors displayed. But Quint was by and far the worst. He was a horrible person in both book and film. His methods were despicable and his lack of empathy for animal life... Needless to say he deserved to die even if he didn't get the death he deserved. The shark took him with him, but I feel he should have been the shark's last meal.
I was really cheering for the shark to live and everyone else to die. But no such luck. The best parts of the book were Quint kicking the bucket and Hooper waxing poetic about the possibility of megalodon being alive somewhere in the depths of the ocean and how beautiful she would be.
This was just a disappointment to me.
I went into it expecting it to be far better than the movies, because that is typically the case. It was not.
At least the movie got it mostly right. It was about the shark and it's unexplainable appearance and extended stay in the waters of the small island town. What the movie got wrong was the the shark was not a monster, but a victim. I always cheered for the shark. What the book got right was... Quint dying--which is not a spoiler because it happens in the movie and if you haven't seen the movie at least once, I just don't know what you've been doing with your life.
So it started off really great, the initial shark attack, they immediately knew it was a shark attack, and the Chief of police was strong-armed into covering the whole thing up in order to save the summer tourism for the island. And to some degree, it's almost understandable. They need the summer tourism boom to live through the winter, and the statistics suggested that there wouldn't be another attack. Even if the Chief had a bad feeling about it. And of course the Chief was right to want close the beaches, because two more people get attacked--in the same day. They can't hide it any more. News outlets have gotten hold of the story and it's beginning to look bad for Amity.
Then a good third of the books goes on to focus on Chief Brody and is wife and their marital problems. Ellen who is portrayed as loving and strong in the films is a selfish, weak [insert bad word] in the novel. Long story short, she regrets giving up her life of means to marry Martin and she makes him suffer for it. She has an affair with Hooper and the whole thing just makes me hate her character completely.
They uncover information that the mayor is in deep with the mafia which is why he's been pushing Chief Brody to reopen the beaches in time for Independence Day. Which, actually kinda makes more sense than the entire town council being a bunch of heartless jerks who didn't care if tourists died in a shark attack as long as they made good money that summer.
This book was definitely a product of the time it was written in. It screamed 1970s from the terminology used to the behaviors displayed. But Quint was by and far the worst. He was a horrible person in both book and film. His methods were despicable and his lack of empathy for animal life... Needless to say he deserved to die even if he didn't get the death he deserved. The shark took him with him, but I feel he should have been the shark's last meal.
I was really cheering for the shark to live and everyone else to die. But no such luck. The best parts of the book were Quint kicking the bucket and Hooper waxing poetic about the possibility of megalodon being alive somewhere in the depths of the ocean and how beautiful she would be.
This was just a disappointment to me.
The story line holds true to form from the original February 1974 Doubleday publication even though this edition was published January 1975 by Bantam.
My copy is one printed in 1975 and has a drawing of the shark coming underneath the female swimmer in the water. For being such an old copy, it is in EXCELLENT condition!
