Jaws
A Novel
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4.2 • 501 Ratings
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The shark-versus-man classic that inspired the blockbuster Steven Spielberg movie—now in a fiftieth anniversary edition with an exclusive foreword from the author’s wife, renowned ocean conservation advocate Wendy Benchley
“A tightly written, tautly paced study of terror.”—The Washington Post
A great white shark terrorizes the beautiful summer getaway of Amity Island, and a motley group of men take to the water to do battle with the beast. A heart-pounding novel of suspense and a brilliant meditation on the nature of humanity, Jaws is one of the most iconic thrillers ever written.
In addition to Wendy Benchley’s foreword, this edition features bonus content from Peter Benchley’s archives, including the manuscript’s original typed title page, a brainstorming list of possible titles, a letter from Benchley to film producer David Brown with candid feedback on the movie adaptation, and excerpts from Benchley’s book Shark Trouble, highlighting his firsthand account of writing Jaws, selling it to Universal Studios, and working with Steven Spielberg.
After writing Jaws in the early 1970s, Peter Benchley was actively engaged with scientists and filmmakers, and over the ensuing decades, joined many expeditions around the world as they expanded their knowledge of sharks and shark behavior. He encouraged each new generation of Jaws fans to enjoy his riveting tale and to channel their excitement into support and protection of these magnificent prehistoric apex predators.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Benchley's novel, while better known as the source material for Steven Spielberg's classic movie, has earned its own stripes as a small gem of suspense fiction. With another summer fast approaching, audio listeners may be interested in revisiting the town of Amity, Long Island, and getting back in the water. Erik Steele, a theater and film actor, chomps into Benchley's raw prose with appetite, enjoying every bite of gore and social observation. Making ample use of well-placed pauses and silences, Steele amplifies not only the suspense, but Benchley's surprisingly well-honed characterizations. The experience, of course, is markedly different from Spielberg's film, offering shocks less visceral and more contemplative. A Random House hardcover.
Customer Reviews
Dun dun…. dun.. dun
Overall, I thought the book was very well written and it elaborated on details the movie did not. The book itself had much more deaths and those deaths were more brutal. It was very interesting to see Hopper and Brody at each other’s necks. I did not however, like the affair between Hopper and Ellen- it didn’t add anything more to the plot and would’ve been good without it. The ending (spoilers) was also very interesting in the fact that the shark simply just dies- moments before getting a hold of Brody. If you are a fan of the movie I would highly recommend reading the book, in my opinion I enjoyed the movie more because it featured more time out on the Orca. The book itself didn’t have too much time on the Orca-but the time it did have was done well.
Greatest. Summer. Read. Ever
The movie was one of the greatest ever made and set the canon for generations...
But the book...you need to read it. It's so well written and it's the perfect read for any adult's summer reading list.
Must read.
Jaws! Greatest Novel & Film Title
Well done! Read the book & Watch the 50th anniversary this year. Peter Benchley you will be missed! What a great novel, over 300 pages.