Jaws 2: A Novel

JAWS 2 the novel blows away JAWS 2 the film. This novel is based on an unused script for JAWS 2 and actually bares little resemblence to the film version. With some fine tuning of the script to move things along at a quicker pace and tighten things up this could have been a horror film for the ages. Sadly I don't think in the late 70's special effects were at a point to handle some very ambitious moments in this novel.It's been two years since the shark attacks that took place during the first JAWS. The novel centers around another shark that has decdended upon Amity and to make matters worse not only is this shark much larger than the original, its also pregnant, making the shark twice as ravenous and hungry. The film JAWS 2 felt a lot like a retread with Chief Brody trying to convince the Mayor and city council that they were dealing with another shark. The novel totally bypasses any of that. In the opening of the film there are two divers swimming near the wreckage of the ORCA where they encounter the new shark and are killed, but not before their camera takes a few very vague pictures of the shark. In the novel this also happens, except their camera takes a MUCH clearer picture. However Brody never gets the picture in the novel. The film is developed by the local pharmacist who decides to hide the photo for selfish reasons. Without giving too much away, the selfish actions of the pharmacist really set this story apart from the film and help this book stand on its on two feet and feel like less of a retread than the film does.There are moments where the plot drags but if anything I found it added to the tension because everything ties together extremely well near the climax. In the original JAWS novel by Benchley there is a subplot involving the Mayor of Amity being involved with the mafia regarding real estate. This is a sequel to the JAWS film, not the novel, and since none of the mafia real estate subplot made it to film it is revisted here and actually works far better in this book than it did in the original in my opinion. Another great thing this book does is address the after effects of Brody's son Michael who came within mere inches of the shark in the first film. Most people would be scarred for life after having a 20 foot Great White Shark that just devoured a boater swim within inches of them and the film JAWS 2 barely makes reference to it. The novel deals with the fact that both Brody and his son of massive fears they try keep buried but try to overcome. My only real gripe with the novel is once it becomes common knowledge to everyone that there is a monstrous shark stalking the waters almost EVERYONE automatically assumes its the same shark from the original JAWS and that Brody lied about killing it. I know this was written in the late 1970's and not as much information was available about Great Whites as there is today, but that just seems totally stupid. There was a two year gap in between the attacks. Did they think Brody made a secret pact with the shark to chill out and take a two year vacation then return to start murdering people? Like I said, its a minor gripe and could easily be explained by the novel being written almost 40 years ago during a simpler time. The good far outweighs the bad in this book.I would highly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the JAWS films, sharks, or horror in general. Its a fun and interesting read and really makes you wonder what could have been possible if they went with this script for the film.

Described accurately. Thanks!

Love the Jaws franchise and have seen the movies countless times. I love the novels just as much. This is a much different story than the movie. Some elements are the same, (Ex: Scuba Divers discover the Orca and the shark, Water-Skier is attacked, but it's her husband driving the boat, and the climax where the shark has it's showdown with Brody in the end, a helicopter crashes but they're not saving the teens and the teens are involved in a boat race rather than just out sailing for fun). The cons? Not enough focus on the shark,, there's a side-story where Brody rescues a stranded seal and it is felt this took up too much of the reading, where we want to read about the shark not some lost seal being taken care of by the Brody family, there is also the Mob and their ties to Amity. The photos of the Orca, revealing the shark, are discovered but then kept secret for most of the book until the end, whereas you keep thinking, really? Would someone really just sit on these photos and not take them to Brody and show there's a huge shark in the area? The pro's, the shark is described very well, and you get the feeling your watching "Shark Week". Also, a lot of references to the first movie, makes this a sequel. The characters are all there, with some new ones to enjoy. This makes for a great summer time read and if your a Jaws fan, you will love this book.

Fantastic old book in pretty good condition for a reasonable price. Will buy from again A+.

This book arrived on time. It was slightly water logged, but readable. Those who love the Jaws franchise should read this book. It has the same spirit of the movie while retaining some of the plot points of Benchley's original. Some things are changed around but in a good way. You keep wanting to turn the page.

Thank you! Book wasn't exactly as shown (expected that) but so happy to have found it. It was in better shape than I though it would be. Even the packaging beat my expectations.

Good book.

I thought this would be really bad but I loved the first Jaws so much I thought I would take a shot and spend the 5 bucks. It was REALLY good. Just as good as the first one if I was being honest. I would highly recommend this to any body that liked the first Jaws and any of the Peter Benchley stuff.

very good

Il prodotto è usato (come scritto nei dettagli di vendita) ed è risultato conforme a tutte le aspettative; non presenta sottolineature, non presenta strappi e pasticci tra le pagine. La qualità della carta e della rilegatura sono molto buone dato che, nonostante risulti "vecchiotto", il libro è ancora in ottimo stato.Unica nota negativa è la dimensione: il libro non è proprio fedele all'immagine sulla scheda del prodotto. Risulta, infatti, essere molto più piccolo (un vero e proprio tascabile). A parte questo, buono in tutto!

What you get with this extremely well written novelization is the original version of Jaws 2 that was completely scrapped when the original director and screenwriter were removed. I think this works perfectly fine as a story but you can perhaps see why the producers closed this version down and started from scratch with original Jaws screenwriter Carl Gottleib. Various elements from that original version still made it's way into the version that made it's way to the screen. You'll read this and recognize certain scenes in the film. The majority though is all new. Darker and more serious in tone. Apparently one of the reasons why original director John Hancock was removed was because his dailies were of a grim Amity struggling after the shark attacks from the original film. This novelization of that first screenplay reflects that. It's actually quite close to the Peter Benchley original in some ways and perhaps if HE had written a follow up book it would of resembled this. The original film is better than it's book but this book didn't make it to the screen so it's almost like a spin off of sorts from the much maligned and deservedly so series that followed the unrepeatable greatness of the first film. Jaws 2 will always be the best sequel but that's not too difficult. This book is way better than the two films that came after it and stands as a pretty good read by itself from an alternate time line. As close as you'll get to a spin off continuation novel featuring Chief Brody and co. As a huge fan I read this with a big smile on my face because if you've never read it it's something new in the Jaws world - despite being forty years old! Highly recommended and a fine book in it's own right!

A great sequal. Doesn't feature any depictions of owls as far as I can recall.

not as good as the original but a good book overall