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A review by kandicez
Jaws by Peter Benchley
5.0
I reread this because a friend recently read it only after having seen the movie and was so surprised, and honestly, disappointed at how little a part the shark takes in the drama of the novel. I love the novel and the movie equally, just like I love [b:The Shining|11588|The Shining|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1353277730l/11588._SY75_.jpg|849585] novel and movie equally. They are worlds apart. So far apart that the only way to describe the distance is to point out that the novel ends in fire and the book in ice. I think King himself said that, but it sums it up perfectly.
The difference between Spielberg's movie and the novel is that Spielberg's version is a hidden danger thriller and the Benchley's is a deep-seated disturbance in a marriage resulting in an affair. A regretted affair, but an affair nonetheless.
I think people who have only seen the movie, reading this for the first time can't help but be impressed with Benchley's writing. His characters are so three-dimensional you really, really feel for them. The characters who act in less than moral ways are still able to elicit sympathy from the reader because they are real, their problems are real, and their motivation is understandable.
I listened this time and loved it. The reader was amazing. He added a layer to the characterization of every player with his voice that showed real skill. Even amazing actors can't always read well, but this guy certainly did.
The difference between Spielberg's movie and the novel is that Spielberg's version is a hidden danger thriller and the Benchley's is a deep-seated disturbance in a marriage resulting in an affair. A regretted affair, but an affair nonetheless.
I think people who have only seen the movie, reading this for the first time can't help but be impressed with Benchley's writing. His characters are so three-dimensional you really, really feel for them. The characters who act in less than moral ways are still able to elicit sympathy from the reader because they are real, their problems are real, and their motivation is understandable.
I listened this time and loved it. The reader was amazing. He added a layer to the characterization of every player with his voice that showed real skill. Even amazing actors can't always read well, but this guy certainly did.