From Publishers WeeklyStarred . 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. (Apr.) Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.From BooklistThis novel about a rogue shark that terrorizes a beach community hasnt aged a day since its publication more than 35 years ago. Benchleys writing is lean and efficientthis is his first novel, and also by far his bestand the story is a solid mixture of small-town politics, mystery, and outright terror. The author positions his protagonist, police chief Martin Brody, as virtually the lone voice of reason in a town filled with people who want to downplay the sharks presence (so as not to scare away tourists with their bulging wallets); and when the body count starts to rise, its Brody who has to find a way to kill the beast, even if it means putting his own life on the line. The familiar charactersBrody, oceanographer Matt Hooper, shark-hunter Quintare not as likable as they are in Steven Spielbergs classic film adaptation, but in the context of the novel, they are well drawn and compelling. Those who are familiar with the movie, but not the book, are in for some surprises, and those who read the book way back when should definitely give it another look. --David Pitt A tightly written, tautly paced study of terror [that] makes us tingle.The Washington Post Powerful . . . [Benchleys] story grabs you at once.The New York Times Book Relentless terror . . . Youd better steel yourself for this one. It isnt a tale for the faint of heart.The Philadelphia Inquirer Pure engrossment from the very opening . . . a fine story told with style, class, and a splendid feeling for suspense.Chicago Sun-Times what is the most sold item Jaws: A Novel
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Definitely Not the MovieBy Jeanne HThere's no call for a bigger boat here - this is not the same story as the movie version. Generally speaking, yes it is, but the movie took the action storyline from the book and left all else behind. The details left behind are interesting but not *that* interesting - at times they greatly slow an already slow paced story. The pace and all the additional material (life in town; more with the Brody family; a larger group of characters, some with different motivations and fates) means the book is 70% done before people go out after the shark. Still it's a good read, and there *are* surprises in the plot where book and movie differ. I just prefer the movie over the book this time.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Get outta the water!By Drunk JimmyI always wanted to read this after seeing the movie. I finally got around to it. Great book and lot better than I expected since I heard it was very different than the movie. I just wish he went from the fish's perspective more.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Good book for a roadtripBy KatherineCould use more shark. There are some long stretches with no shark action. When the shark action arrives, it is well written and exciting, but there should be more of it. Character development is surprisingly good for a more horror-based novel. Overall it was an interesting book that made the roadtrip hours fly by.