Jaws - Peter Benchley

Jaws

By Peter Benchley

  • Release Date: 1981-07-01
  • Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Score: 4
4
From 440 Ratings

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.

Reviews

  • Movie much Better

    2
    By DSB111
    I’m sure glad they ignored most of the book when they made the movie! Tedious read at best.
  • Loved it!

    5
    By nautique28
    Absolutely amazing. So much of it is like the film yet so much is different.
  • Dated, but that’s to be expected

    4
    By Amigo73
    Still a thrilling read.
  • Jaws

    5
    By The Admiral 37
    Great book.
  • Jaws book vs movie

    3
    By stone crap
    The novel Jaws is significantly different than the Academy Award winning movie. Although the author is also credited with the screenplay along with Carl Gottlieb, there are stark differences that I think make the movie a much better story.
  • This book is terrible....

    1
    By Mattjboh
    I am so happy the movie took the liberties it did with the story because the book has almost zero likable characters and how it became so popular is a mystery....
  • Smile you son of a shark

    5
    By gabe donovan
    Better than the movie . More deaths . Affairs . Hopper as the bad guy. And the shark being the shark .
  • Jaws

    5
    By God USA
    Jaws
  • Issue...

    2
    By 124cbo123
    The main reason I am giving this book a two star review is because of the affair scene. It served no purpose and had no relevance to the story. All it did was mess with the pacing of the story. The whole issue of the affair was unnecessary because it did not add anything to help progress the main plot line. The story would remain the same without it.
  • Jaws

    5
    By buster7200
    Still holds up as an exciting read and actually will encourage to learn about sharks and the need for their conservation