Jaws by Peter Benchley

Jaws

Author: Peter Benchley

Published: 1973

Publisher: Various since first publication.

Goodreads Summary: "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!"

Concept/Ideas: 3.5/5
Storyline/Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Writing Style: 4/5

This is the book that set off that famous "dadumdadum" shark theme, just to start this. Ah, history. This book also inspired the famous movie. Although... in my opinion? Not the most amazing of a book.. or a movie.

Okay, let's be honest. Back when this book (and movie) came out, this was considered one of the scariest reads. Of course, looking at the "horror and suspense" movies of 2012, we clearly see how much the perception of it has changed. In all honesty, this book was a bit boring. The concept was interesting and suspenseful, but nothing too amazing. The author could have executed it a bit better. More blood, more attacks... Of course, the ending was pretty good, although it left you hanging in my opinion, and it seemed so rushed. It was like... climax climax climax... BAM, ending. It was just too rushed for my taste.

The writing was good, and pretty basic. I would have loved to see more of the perspective of the shark though (as weird as that may sound). I really enjoyed those tidbits from the shark's perspective. It could have been interesting if he added more.

In all, for a book written in 1974, it was a good read. I just felt that it could have had more added, and more suspense. The attacks seemed pretty mediocre.

I do reccommend this book. It's pretty much a classic, and I advise it as a read for the heck of it. It was good, but just not amazing