Jaws

Jaws

Peter Benchley, 1974

“Jaws” by Peter Benchley follows the coastal town of Amity Island, which faces a dire threat when a great white shark starts terrorizing its waters. Police Chief Martin Brody, oceanographer Matt Hooper, and seasoned shark hunter Quint must join forces to confront the menacing predator, setting the stage for a gripping battle between man and nature. As fear spreads and the body count rises, the trio races against time to save their community from the relentless jaws of the deep. The suspenseful narrative explores themes of survival, human resilience, and the primal fear that lurks beneath the surface of seemingly tranquil waters.

Flipbook

Read Jaws Flipbook:

Audiobook

Listen to Jaws Audiobook:

Book Info

Title: Jaws
Author: Peter Benchley
Genre: Thriller
Publication Year: 1974
Setting: Amity Island, a fictional resort town
Plot: A great white shark terrorizes the community, forcing Police Chief Martin Brody, oceanographer Matt Hooper, and shark hunter Quint to team up to stop the deadly predator.
Themes: Fear, survival, man vs. nature
Impact: Became a bestseller and inspired the blockbuster film directed by Steven Spielberg in 1975.
Legacy: Contributed to the cultural perception of sharks as fearsome predators, influencing popular culture.

Trivia

  • Original Title: Peter Benchley’s working title for the book was “The Stillness in the Water” before settling on the iconic “Jaws.”
  • Inspiration: Benchley drew inspiration from a series of shark attacks in 1916 along the New Jersey shore, which is considered one of the deadliest shark attacks in history.
  • Film Adaptation: Steven Spielberg’s 1975 film adaptation of “Jaws” became a massive blockbuster, setting new standards for summer releases and solidifying the “summer blockbuster” phenomenon.
  • Cultural Impact: The book and the subsequent film significantly contributed to the negative perception of sharks, leading to increased fear and shark culling.
  • Different Endings: The novel and the movie have different endings. Benchley’s original novel concludes differently from Spielberg’s adaptation, providing readers with an alternative resolution to the story.
  • Bestseller: “Jaws” spent 44 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, becoming a literary sensation and establishing Peter Benchley as a prominent author.
  • Shark Conservation: Despite the negative portrayal of sharks in “Jaws,” Peter Benchley later became an advocate for shark conservation, recognizing the unintended consequences of perpetuating fear of these creatures.

Gallery