Favorite movie of all time but I somehow have never read the book. Worth my time? Only Benchley book Ive read was The White Shark/Creature and think it’s great.
shareMy memories of it are hazy... it's pretty trashy from what I recall, with boring subplots which were ditched from the lean and brilliant film. But it's a fairly quick and easy read, I guess.
shareThe shark passages deliver in the book, but it’s really a bloated vessel otherwise. Brody is nowhere near as likable, Ellen is an adulterer who longs for the rich life, and Hooper is a spoiled rich kid (who sleeps with Brody’s wife). The mayor and Quint are about the same in both versions. The book is worth the read if only to confirm how sublime the movie is.
shareIt's pretty much a dimestore paperback.
The shark stuff is good though
Most Peter Benchley books aren’t that good. It’s been decades since I’ve read i it’s been decades since I’ve read Jaws but I remember not liking it. Every character is an unlikable asshole and the book is filled with tons of boring and unnecessary subplots. The shark stuff was OK though.
shareI remember that I did like the book but in this instance the film was better.
shareDamn, guys. I’m definitely not interested in paying a single cent on the book after reading these comments.
I enjoy reading but rarely do it. Any Aquatic Horror suggestions?
Having read Jaws after seeing the film, I agree with all the critics above
But I think Benchley's "Beast" is the novel "Jaws" should've been - it's about a giant squid terrorizing Bermuda, but it dispenses with all the side-plots and most of the interpersonal intrigue that made Jaws a bloated mess
The main character is very much like Quint but with Brody's conscience
It's still one of my favorite novels
And while it's not about aquatic horror, Benchley's Rummies was a good read about alcoholism
Even though it had some awful effects and is incredibly long, I actually enjoyed the mini series they did of The Beast.
I was hoping to find an ebook but don’t see it on Google Play or in the Kindle store. It’s just convenient to read on my phone at work. I just ordered a paperback.
No alcoholism for me! Seen enough growing up!