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Jaws
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Jaws: Book 1

Jaws (1974) (edit title/settings)

by Peter Benchley (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

"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! From the... read more

Summary edit see section history

His novel about a rogue shark that terrorizes a beach community hasn't aged a day since its publication more than 35 years ago. Benchley’s writing is lean and efficient—this is his first novel, and also by far his best—and the story is a solid mixture of small-town politics, mystery, and... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

His novel about a rogue shark that terrorizes a beach community hasn't aged a day since its publication more than 35 years ago. Benchley’s writing is lean and efficient—this is his first novel, and also by far his best—and 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 shark’s presence (so as not to scare away tourists with their bulging wallets); and when the body count starts to rise, it’s Brody who has to find a way to kill the beast, even if it means putting his own life on the line. The familiar characters—Brody, oceanographer Matt Hooper, shark-hunter Quint—are not as likable as they are in Steven Spielberg’s 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.

Characters/People edit see section history

Show all 32 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “I should have brought weights,' said Hooper. Quint said, 'you should have brought brains.”
  • “As Quint spoke, Brody looked into his eyes. They seemed as dark and bottomless as the eye of the fish. 'I'll come,' said Brody. 'I don't guess I have any choice. ''No,' said Quint. 'We have no choice.”
  • “He was alone in blue silence speckled with shafts of sunlight that danced through the water.”

Setting & Locations edit see section history

  • Amity: A small town in New York that is dependent on summer tourist to survive through the winter.
  • New York

First Sentence edit see section history

The great fish moved silently through the night water, propelled by short sweeps of its crescent tail.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 1 of 2 in Jaws. (standard series)

Followed by Jaws 2.

This is book 3 of 10 in Publishers Weekly Bestselling Novels In 1974. (authoritative list)
This is book 25 of 99 in NPR's Top 100 Killer Thriller. (community list)
This book is in Call An Exterminator!. (community list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Peter Benchley (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Doubleday
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1974
ISBN: 0385047711
Page Count: 311

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: PS3552.E537 1974
  • Dewey: 813.54

Movie Connections edit see section history

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