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White Shark
At a small marine institute off the coast of Connecticut, only marine biologist Simon Chase realizes that a sixteen-foot pregnant Great White is feeding in the area. But even Simon doesn't know that a far deadlier creature is about to come out of the deep and threaten everything he cares for. A creature whose malevolence is unthinkable. Whose need to feed is insatiable. And whose relentless hunt for prey is unstoppable.
Twenty years after his huge bestseller Jaws, the master of the deep has done it again, letting loose a chilling new predator that only he could create. Drawing on his singular knowledge of the sea, science, and history, Peter Benchley masterfully spins a suspense-filled novel that hits you on a primal level, makes your heart pound, and leaves your blood running cold.
White Shark is Peter Benchley at his best. Read it at your own risk.
340 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 17, 1994
About the author
Peter Benchley
67 books1,552 followersPeter Bradford Benchley was an American author best known for writing the novel Jaws and co-writing the screenplay for its highly successful film adaptation. The success of the book led to many publishers commissioning books about mutant rats, rabid dogs and the like threatening communities. The subsequent film directed by Steven Spielberg and co-written by Benchley is generally acknowledged as the first summer blockbuster. Benchley also wrote The Deep and The Island which were also adapted into films.
Benchley was from a literary family. He was the son of author Nathaniel Benchley and grandson of Algonquin Round Table founder Robert Benchley. His younger brother, Nat Benchley, is a writer and actor. Peter Benchley was an alumnus of Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University.
After graduating from college, he worked for The Washington Post, then as an editor at Newsweek and a speechwriter in the White House. He developed the idea of a man-eating shark terrorising a community after reading of a fisherman Frank Mundus catching a 4,550 pound great white shark off the coast of Long Island in 1964. He also drew some material from the tragic Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916.
His reasonably successful second novel, The Deep, is about a honeymooning couple discovering two sunken treasures on the Bermuda reefs—17th century Spanish gold and a fortune in World War Two-era morphine—who are subsequently targeted by a drug syndicate. This 1976 novel is based on Benchley's chance meeting in Bermuda with diver Teddy Tucker while writing a story for National Geographic. Benchley co-wrote the screenplay for the 1977 film release, along with Tracy Keenan Wynn and an uncredited Tom Mankiewicz. Directed by Peter Yates and starring Robert Shaw, Nick Nolte and Jacqueline Bisset, The Deep was the second-highest grossing release of 1977 after Star Wars, although its box office tally fell well short of Jaws.
The Island, published in 1979, was a story of descendants of 17th century pirates who terrorize pleasure craft in the Caribbean, leading to the Bermuda Triangle mystery. Benchley again wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation. But the movie version of The Island, starring Michael Caine and David Warner, failed at the box office when released in 1980.
During the 1980s, Benchley wrote three novels that did not sell as well as his previous works. However, Girl of the Sea of Cortez, a beguiling John Steinbeck-type fable about man's complicated relationship with the sea, was far and away his best reviewed book and has attracted a considerable cult following since its publication. Sea of Cortez signposted Benchley's growing interest in ecological issues and anticipated his future role as an impassioned and intelligent defender of the importance of redressing the current imbalance between human activities and the marine environment. Q Clearance published in 1986 was written from his experience as a staffer in the Johnson White House. Rummies (aka Lush), which appeared in 1989, is a semi-autobiographical work, loosely inspired by the Benchley family's history of alcohol abuse. While the first half of the novel is a relatively straightforward (and harrowing) account of a suburbanite's descent into alcoholic hell, the second part—which takes place at a New Mexico substance abuse clinic—veers off into wildly improbable thriller-type territory.
He returned to nautical themes in 1991's Beast written about a giant squid threatening Bermuda. Beast was brought to the small screen as a made-for-TV movie in 1996, under the slightly altered title The Beast. His next novel, White Shark, was published in 1994. The story of a Nazi-created genetically engineered shark/human hybrid failed to achieve popular or critical success.
Benchley was from a literary family. He was the son of author Nathaniel Benchley and grandson of Algonquin Round Table founder Robert Benchley. His younger brother, Nat Benchley, is a writer and actor. Peter Benchley was an alumnus of Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University.
After graduating from college, he worked for The Washington Post, then as an editor at Newsweek and a speechwriter in the White House. He developed the idea of a man-eating shark terrorising a community after reading of a fisherman Frank Mundus catching a 4,550 pound great white shark off the coast of Long Island in 1964. He also drew some material from the tragic Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916.
His reasonably successful second novel, The Deep, is about a honeymooning couple discovering two sunken treasures on the Bermuda reefs—17th century Spanish gold and a fortune in World War Two-era morphine—who are subsequently targeted by a drug syndicate. This 1976 novel is based on Benchley's chance meeting in Bermuda with diver Teddy Tucker while writing a story for National Geographic. Benchley co-wrote the screenplay for the 1977 film release, along with Tracy Keenan Wynn and an uncredited Tom Mankiewicz. Directed by Peter Yates and starring Robert Shaw, Nick Nolte and Jacqueline Bisset, The Deep was the second-highest grossing release of 1977 after Star Wars, although its box office tally fell well short of Jaws.
The Island, published in 1979, was a story of descendants of 17th century pirates who terrorize pleasure craft in the Caribbean, leading to the Bermuda Triangle mystery. Benchley again wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation. But the movie version of The Island, starring Michael Caine and David Warner, failed at the box office when released in 1980.
During the 1980s, Benchley wrote three novels that did not sell as well as his previous works. However, Girl of the Sea of Cortez, a beguiling John Steinbeck-type fable about man's complicated relationship with the sea, was far and away his best reviewed book and has attracted a considerable cult following since its publication. Sea of Cortez signposted Benchley's growing interest in ecological issues and anticipated his future role as an impassioned and intelligent defender of the importance of redressing the current imbalance between human activities and the marine environment. Q Clearance published in 1986 was written from his experience as a staffer in the Johnson White House. Rummies (aka Lush), which appeared in 1989, is a semi-autobiographical work, loosely inspired by the Benchley family's history of alcohol abuse. While the first half of the novel is a relatively straightforward (and harrowing) account of a suburbanite's descent into alcoholic hell, the second part—which takes place at a New Mexico substance abuse clinic—veers off into wildly improbable thriller-type territory.
He returned to nautical themes in 1991's Beast written about a giant squid threatening Bermuda. Beast was brought to the small screen as a made-for-TV movie in 1996, under the slightly altered title The Beast. His next novel, White Shark, was published in 1994. The story of a Nazi-created genetically engineered shark/human hybrid failed to achieve popular or critical success.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
July 8, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
“What lives in the ocean and has five claws?”
“Nothing. Nothing that I’ve ever heard of.”
Last year I was extremely underwhelmed by what should have been the best Shark Week selection of them all. Today I’m wondering who hacked my account and changed the rating for that one because there is no chance I gave that turd 2.5 Stars. Maybe I was drunk???? Anywho, Jaws was supposed to deliver all of the nommy deliciousness of the movie, but instead sucked giant monkey balls so I started White Shark expecting the kind of horror a fella like this might deliver . . .
I didn’t bother reading a synopsis because my Goodreads’ friends who had read both Jaws and White Shark swore this would deliver. But you know how some of these book pushers are . . .
I mean even my closest friends and arch rivals flip the script and fail me errrrrrry now and again. Needless to say, I went in with low expectations. My impression of Mr. Benchley now that I have finished????
Talk about a redemption arc. While I was expecting a real “sharky” shark book (remember, I didn’t read the synopsis) and this wasn’t exactly it, I was more than pleased with the product that was delivered. This is the type of story that comes to mind when someone tells me about a “horror” story. It wasn’t a psychological thriller, it wasn’t a whodunit, it was straight up creature feature type of horror and I loved it.
Many thanks to my book-swappin’, Howard the Duck lovin’ buddy for sending this my way. You too are a gentleman and a scholar : )
ORIGINAL "REVIEW":
IT'S SHARK WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!
“What lives in the ocean and has five claws?”
“Nothing. Nothing that I’ve ever heard of.”
Last year I was extremely underwhelmed by what should have been the best Shark Week selection of them all. Today I’m wondering who hacked my account and changed the rating for that one because there is no chance I gave that turd 2.5 Stars. Maybe I was drunk???? Anywho, Jaws was supposed to deliver all of the nommy deliciousness of the movie, but instead sucked giant monkey balls so I started White Shark expecting the kind of horror a fella like this might deliver . . .
I didn’t bother reading a synopsis because my Goodreads’ friends who had read both Jaws and White Shark swore this would deliver. But you know how some of these book pushers are . . .
I mean even my closest friends and arch rivals flip the script and fail me errrrrrry now and again. Needless to say, I went in with low expectations. My impression of Mr. Benchley now that I have finished????
Talk about a redemption arc. While I was expecting a real “sharky” shark book (remember, I didn’t read the synopsis) and this wasn’t exactly it, I was more than pleased with the product that was delivered. This is the type of story that comes to mind when someone tells me about a “horror” story. It wasn’t a psychological thriller, it wasn’t a whodunit, it was straight up creature feature type of horror and I loved it.
Many thanks to my book-swappin’, Howard the Duck lovin’ buddy for sending this my way. You too are a gentleman and a scholar : )
ORIGINAL "REVIEW":
IT'S SHARK WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!
June 12, 2014
This is Benchley's best work, in my opinion. Jaws? Yuck. The movie Jaws scared the shit out of me growing up and I still consider it a favorite, but the book sucked. It was mostly sex and stupid drama. And maybe two major attack scenes, but that's about it. This book blows Jaws out of the water. It's pretty much everything I wanted more in Jaws. Less sex, more shark attack!
I can see why people hated this though, the whole idea of this 'shark' is unrealistic and corny, but that's what made me love it even more.
A lot of people hated the movie version of this, Creature. I actually found it a hoot. Not a favorite, but still one of those gorey B movies that held my attention. If you are into movies like Sharknado and Two Headed Shark Attack then I recommend it.
I can see why people hated this though, the whole idea of this 'shark' is unrealistic and corny, but that's what made me love it even more.
A lot of people hated the movie version of this, Creature. I actually found it a hoot. Not a favorite, but still one of those gorey B movies that held my attention. If you are into movies like Sharknado and Two Headed Shark Attack then I recommend it.
March 28, 2015
This book merits a 3.5. I have given this rating based on the book's merit relative to other books in the same genre.
The name Peter Benchley just struck me when I was book hunting in a second hand store. I knew that this is the person who had authored the Jaws. My interest got piqued and sure enough the cover page did mention Jaws. The blurb appealed to the thriller lover in me and I bought the book.
This is a scary/horrifying/terrifying etc. etc. (I hope you got the point ) monster novel. I am not exactly a fan of this genre, but just because of the author I wanted to try it.
The beginning is pretty interesting. It takes us back to Germany during WW2 or rather during the end of WW2. A German man, some powerful man among the Nazis, is fleeing Germany in a submarine. This submarine also houses the not fully developed secret weapon devised by the said man. The submarine sinks in the Atlantic.
Then we come to the US during 1996. Of course, the weapon now needs to unleashed and the terrifying thing gets released again. No sea creatures are safe now but are the terrestrial beings safe?
The monster prowls the waters off the coast of the town of Waterboro. Now enters Simon Chase, ex-Greenpeacer and ex-husband to a very rich woman, who now runs a small institute dedicated to studying sharks and protecting & preserving marine life. He has attained some respect in the scientific community for his work on sharks as well. On top of that he is also trying to be a father to his teenage son who has come for a visit.
In such monster novels, there is not much scope for should I say not much need for character development. I have to admit that the author did try to develop the character of Chase. Anyways, the monster is now released and leaves behind him a trail of deaths – humans, animals – nothing is safe from it. I simply loved the way the monster adapted to the changing circumstances – not just its organs changed their ways of functioning but its brain started to function better also – it made the monster even more terrifying.
Add to the mix some cute sea lions, a little bit of teenage romance, a town festival, some mysterious man and his AK47 carrying henchman and you have a really nice pot-boiler.
There are some moments of real excitement and tension; you would be turning the page to find out what happens next. There is a fair amount of heroics and a person’s love for animals as well. The author was successful in creating an atmosphere of suspense for the most part. The end could have been a bit better, though.
This novel is just meant for entertainment. And entertain it did – the past few days had been a bit too hectic at work and I wanted some easy read before going to bed. The book is pretty fast-paced and I could enjoy a few pages before grabbing some sleep.
The book would be enjoyable to those people who love the monster genre. If you don’t mind a bit of gore and would like to try out a thriller not centered around the usual cast of serial killers/spies/gangsters/terrorists then maybe you can give this book a try.
The name Peter Benchley just struck me when I was book hunting in a second hand store. I knew that this is the person who had authored the Jaws. My interest got piqued and sure enough the cover page did mention Jaws. The blurb appealed to the thriller lover in me and I bought the book.
This is a scary/horrifying/terrifying etc. etc. (I hope you got the point ) monster novel. I am not exactly a fan of this genre, but just because of the author I wanted to try it.
The beginning is pretty interesting. It takes us back to Germany during WW2 or rather during the end of WW2. A German man, some powerful man among the Nazis, is fleeing Germany in a submarine. This submarine also houses the not fully developed secret weapon devised by the said man. The submarine sinks in the Atlantic.
Then we come to the US during 1996. Of course, the weapon now needs to unleashed and the terrifying thing gets released again. No sea creatures are safe now but are the terrestrial beings safe?
The monster prowls the waters off the coast of the town of Waterboro. Now enters Simon Chase, ex-Greenpeacer and ex-husband to a very rich woman, who now runs a small institute dedicated to studying sharks and protecting & preserving marine life. He has attained some respect in the scientific community for his work on sharks as well. On top of that he is also trying to be a father to his teenage son who has come for a visit.
In such monster novels, there is not much scope for should I say not much need for character development. I have to admit that the author did try to develop the character of Chase. Anyways, the monster is now released and leaves behind him a trail of deaths – humans, animals – nothing is safe from it. I simply loved the way the monster adapted to the changing circumstances – not just its organs changed their ways of functioning but its brain started to function better also – it made the monster even more terrifying.
Add to the mix some cute sea lions, a little bit of teenage romance, a town festival, some mysterious man and his AK47 carrying henchman and you have a really nice pot-boiler.
There are some moments of real excitement and tension; you would be turning the page to find out what happens next. There is a fair amount of heroics and a person’s love for animals as well. The author was successful in creating an atmosphere of suspense for the most part. The end could have been a bit better, though.
This novel is just meant for entertainment. And entertain it did – the past few days had been a bit too hectic at work and I wanted some easy read before going to bed. The book is pretty fast-paced and I could enjoy a few pages before grabbing some sleep.
The book would be enjoyable to those people who love the monster genre. If you don’t mind a bit of gore and would like to try out a thriller not centered around the usual cast of serial killers/spies/gangsters/terrorists then maybe you can give this book a try.
February 21, 2019
Back in 1974, a young author named Peter Benchley rocked the boat of the publishing industry with publication of his novel “Jaws”, a fish story with sharp teeth that scared everyone who has ever been to a beach.
I remember reading the book years ago, but it’s Steven Spielberg’s 1975 film adaptation that most people remember well. Besides single-handedly giving sharks a bad name, the movie also started the trend for big-budget summer blockbuster movies.
Benchley went on to write many other novels and nonfiction after “Jaws”, but his subsequent work never quite lived up to the hype that “Jaws” created. A shame, really, since Benchley was one of those decent writers/storytellers whose only fault was writing a zinger right out of the gate, one that he could never quite replicate.
In 1994 (twelve years prior to his passing), Benchley took up the shark theme once again for his novel “White Shark”. Don’t be fooled, though: this book isn’t what it seems to be.
Indeed, it’s a pleasantly and surprisingly campy nod to classic grade-B horror and sci-fi films, although how much of it is meant to be ironic and playful rather than a serious thriller is left for audiences to decide.
It would be a shame to ruin the fun by offering a plot synopsis full of spoilers, so I will simply hint that Nazi scientists, German U-boats, bionic fish, sea lions, and a psycho killer are all integral elements in the plot.
To add to the fun, a made-for-TV miniseries based on the novel was aired in 1998, starring Craig T. Nelson and Kim Cattrall. It was called “Creature”, and I have not seen it.
I have, however, seen Roger Corman’s classic 1980 grade-B horror film “Humanoids from the Deep”, of which this book reminded me. Silly, good gory fun. And it starred Doug McClure.
I remember reading the book years ago, but it’s Steven Spielberg’s 1975 film adaptation that most people remember well. Besides single-handedly giving sharks a bad name, the movie also started the trend for big-budget summer blockbuster movies.
Benchley went on to write many other novels and nonfiction after “Jaws”, but his subsequent work never quite lived up to the hype that “Jaws” created. A shame, really, since Benchley was one of those decent writers/storytellers whose only fault was writing a zinger right out of the gate, one that he could never quite replicate.
In 1994 (twelve years prior to his passing), Benchley took up the shark theme once again for his novel “White Shark”. Don’t be fooled, though: this book isn’t what it seems to be.
Indeed, it’s a pleasantly and surprisingly campy nod to classic grade-B horror and sci-fi films, although how much of it is meant to be ironic and playful rather than a serious thriller is left for audiences to decide.
It would be a shame to ruin the fun by offering a plot synopsis full of spoilers, so I will simply hint that Nazi scientists, German U-boats, bionic fish, sea lions, and a psycho killer are all integral elements in the plot.
To add to the fun, a made-for-TV miniseries based on the novel was aired in 1998, starring Craig T. Nelson and Kim Cattrall. It was called “Creature”, and I have not seen it.
I have, however, seen Roger Corman’s classic 1980 grade-B horror film “Humanoids from the Deep”, of which this book reminded me. Silly, good gory fun. And it starred Doug McClure.
February 17, 2013
I read Benchley's Jaws, and I wasn't a huge fan. To be honest, I wanted less sex and more giant sharks eating people, but Benchley didn't ask me.
So, when my friend told me I had to read White Shark, I wasn't convinced. Then all my friends started reading White Shark, including people who don't read, and then suddenly I decided I had to too. Well, it took me 4 hours to get through the book, and it was 4 hours well spent.
Apparently, learning from his mistakes in Jaws, Benchley cuts the sex scenes and gets down to the important subject matter - killer sea creatures eating things. In fact, for most of the book, the reader doesn't even know what exactly this hungry sea creature is, other than evil. How does one know the sea creature is evil? Because in the first chapter the reader learns that this sea creature is some sort of depraved Nazi killing creation, so it is okay to hate.
Which brings me to my next point. In White Shark, Benchley is a champion advocate of great whites, clearly learning that writing demonizing stories about a top predator doesn't aid in the conservation of said top predator. In White Shark, Benchley immediately makes it clear that the reader should hate his sea creature because it is, literally, a Nazi, and not a great white shark.
I have to say, I found this approach to the story quite appealing. After all, everyone hates Nazis, and even though great white sharks are scarier than a bag of spiders (guuuuu), I don't want them to die. So, I am quite happy that in White Shark there is:
A.) A lot of sea based carnage
B.) No sordid affairs involving shark scientists and sheriff's wives
C.) A legitimate reason to see the killer creature hunted down and killed, not because it is scary and could, maybe eat people, but because it is a Nazi and therefore evil.
This is a quick read combining sharks, Nazis, and the summer off the coast of New England, in an 'unputdownable' way.
I recommend this book.
So, when my friend told me I had to read White Shark, I wasn't convinced. Then all my friends started reading White Shark, including people who don't read, and then suddenly I decided I had to too. Well, it took me 4 hours to get through the book, and it was 4 hours well spent.
Apparently, learning from his mistakes in Jaws, Benchley cuts the sex scenes and gets down to the important subject matter - killer sea creatures eating things. In fact, for most of the book, the reader doesn't even know what exactly this hungry sea creature is, other than evil. How does one know the sea creature is evil? Because in the first chapter the reader learns that this sea creature is some sort of depraved Nazi killing creation, so it is okay to hate.
Which brings me to my next point. In White Shark, Benchley is a champion advocate of great whites, clearly learning that writing demonizing stories about a top predator doesn't aid in the conservation of said top predator. In White Shark, Benchley immediately makes it clear that the reader should hate his sea creature because it is, literally, a Nazi, and not a great white shark.
I have to say, I found this approach to the story quite appealing. After all, everyone hates Nazis, and even though great white sharks are scarier than a bag of spiders (guuuuu), I don't want them to die. So, I am quite happy that in White Shark there is:
A.) A lot of sea based carnage
B.) No sordid affairs involving shark scientists and sheriff's wives
C.) A legitimate reason to see the killer creature hunted down and killed, not because it is scary and could, maybe eat people, but because it is a Nazi and therefore evil.
This is a quick read combining sharks, Nazis, and the summer off the coast of New England, in an 'unputdownable' way.
I recommend this book.
May 30, 2021
This shit was absolutely wild.
*Nazis!
*Oceanic terror
*Unnecessary teenage romance
*Sea lion videographers!
*VCRs
*A near total absence of character development
*Mutant sea monsters with metal teeth and claws
*Unintentional hilarity
*A time jump
*A truly delightful cover
*Monster POV chapters
*Rollerblading!
*A mostly unnecessary shark
*People getting eaten
*And, I reiterate - A NAZI NIGHTMARE SEA CREATURE
Would I recommend this? No idea. Truly. This is less a book and more a fever dream oceanic creature feature.
Take that as you will.
*Nazis!
*Oceanic terror
*Unnecessary teenage romance
*Sea lion videographers!
*VCRs
*A near total absence of character development
*Mutant sea monsters with metal teeth and claws
*Unintentional hilarity
*A time jump
*A truly delightful cover
*Monster POV chapters
*Rollerblading!
*A mostly unnecessary shark
*People getting eaten
*And, I reiterate - A NAZI NIGHTMARE SEA CREATURE
Would I recommend this? No idea. Truly. This is less a book and more a fever dream oceanic creature feature.
Take that as you will.
December 31, 2024
Decent, grade b creature feature by Benchley, the guy who penned Jaws. While the book does contain a great white, the creature (no spoilers as you know right off the bat) arose from some god awful Nazi experiments toward the end of WWII. The first book contains an account of some Nazis fleeing for South America on a U-boat, along with some huge bronze crate that houses the beast. Alas, the U-boat sunk somewhere in the Atlantic, but you know the story does not end there.
Why grade b for White Shark? Benchley could never be called a wordsmith, and even his first novel Jaws only became popular after the killer flick of the same name; one of the few instances where the movie outshone the novel by a mile. This also felt like a movie script and I would bet the film version would be better than the novel as well. Our lead, Simon Chase loves the sea and used to be a former activist with Greenpeace and such. Now, he owns and operates a sea research institute on an island off the coast of Connecticut.
Simon's son from his former marriage comes to stay for a month or so, and the novel really begins with the two of them bonding. Running around on the institute's boat, they follow a Great White shark; Simon hopes to write his dissertation on them one day. Anyway, you know somehow the Nazi beast will be encountered by Simon and company, giving this a rather formulaic feel for sure, especially when mauled bodies start turning up, but mauled by what?
Benchley may know the sea and it shows here, but the creature? A bit too much of a stretch even for me. Still, this would make a good beach read. 2.5 monsters, rounding up!
Why grade b for White Shark? Benchley could never be called a wordsmith, and even his first novel Jaws only became popular after the killer flick of the same name; one of the few instances where the movie outshone the novel by a mile. This also felt like a movie script and I would bet the film version would be better than the novel as well. Our lead, Simon Chase loves the sea and used to be a former activist with Greenpeace and such. Now, he owns and operates a sea research institute on an island off the coast of Connecticut.
Simon's son from his former marriage comes to stay for a month or so, and the novel really begins with the two of them bonding. Running around on the institute's boat, they follow a Great White shark; Simon hopes to write his dissertation on them one day. Anyway, you know somehow the Nazi beast will be encountered by Simon and company, giving this a rather formulaic feel for sure, especially when mauled bodies start turning up, but mauled by what?
Benchley may know the sea and it shows here, but the creature? A bit too much of a stretch even for me. Still, this would make a good beach read. 2.5 monsters, rounding up!
February 3, 2023
4.25 ⭐
Had no idea this was about Nazi's creating a human-shark hybrid but holy shit am I glad the book doesn't straight up tell you that. Cause then I might not have picked it up.
Peter Benchley's best work by far.
Had no idea this was about Nazi's creating a human-shark hybrid but holy shit am I glad the book doesn't straight up tell you that. Cause then I might not have picked it up.
Peter Benchley's best work by far.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2013
It wasn't what I expected from Peter Benchley but I remember liking it as a kid. Also known as Creature, it was a quick sci fi kind of story mixed with some historical fiction as well. I enjoyed it
9/14/23 RE_READ. Enjoyed this the second time around. Very fast paced. Not a lot of character building here. We have a Marine biologist that stays to himself and has his own institute on an island, his son that is visiting, another marine expert training sea lions and visiting protagonists institute and other ancillary characters.
We have heard this before, Nazis create a biological weapon, weapon escapes and causes death and chaos. In this case, the weapon was suppose to be a human altered amphibious hybrid, named the White Shark. The weapon was to be able to drain lungs and go on land to breathe and then reverse the process ( but was actually untrained to do so).
The White Shark/Human monster has a few great kills, tourists, boat fisherman, sea lions animals etc etc.
I believe it all takes place in about 2-3 days so its fairly fast paced. Decent ending with the depressurization chamber.
9/14/23 RE_READ. Enjoyed this the second time around. Very fast paced. Not a lot of character building here. We have a Marine biologist that stays to himself and has his own institute on an island, his son that is visiting, another marine expert training sea lions and visiting protagonists institute and other ancillary characters.
We have heard this before, Nazis create a biological weapon, weapon escapes and causes death and chaos. In this case, the weapon was suppose to be a human altered amphibious hybrid, named the White Shark. The weapon was to be able to drain lungs and go on land to breathe and then reverse the process ( but was actually untrained to do so).
The White Shark/Human monster has a few great kills, tourists, boat fisherman, sea lions animals etc etc.
I believe it all takes place in about 2-3 days so its fairly fast paced. Decent ending with the depressurization chamber.
November 19, 2007
Peter Benchley does it again with his bone-chilling, 1980's horror novel White Shark. I give it two, fear-inducing, steel-clawed, webbed fins up. I gave it five of five stars because its definitely one of the best books I've ever read. Peter Benchley is known well for raising the famous question; Is it safe to go back in the water? He is a god of the horror fiction world and the monster that lives within these pages is a representation of his greatness.
The book starts in Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. The war had'nt ended quite yet. A German scientist who goes by Kruger is boarding a German U-Boat to transport his mysterious bronze box to America. Because of the size of the box and since it can only fit in the torpedo room, the U-Boat is now unarmed and vulnerable. While at sea, the boat gets a message saying the war is over. But the war is never over for those at sea. A bomber plane strikes the U-boat with a barrage if missiles. The U-Boat begins to sink and for some reason Kruger opened the box.
Chase and Tall Man are marinebiologists who work on Osprey Island at Chase's marine institute. Chase's twelve year old son Max has come to stay with him for 1 month as visitation. Chase wants to make the most of this limited time to make up for 8 years lost. Soon Chase, Tall Man, Max, and Amanda, another marinebiologist who is studying with Chase, getting involved in a disturbing mystery with mysterious bodies washing up on shore, fields of dead seagulls and a stainless steel shark's tooth found in the carcass of a deer. It will have you on the edge of your seat!
"Benchley's new monster makes the shark from Jaws look like a pet goldfish." That couldn't be more true. I don't want to give away too much about the Nazi born, man-eating monster but it's terrifying. It kills for fun and hunts down any living thing within sensory range. No monster can stand up to the horrific image of Benchley's greatest abomination.
As I said before, this book is great. It has suspense, action, horror, and Benchley's classic life/death situations. All of that with an amazing monster. It creates wonderful insight into the point of view of the monster as it quests to feed its insatiable appetite and intense need to kill. The plot is good though a few times I was lost when the story switches characters after some chapters, those new characters usually get eaten by the monster by the end of the chapter. If you can get around small potholes, you should be fine. But be warned, don't go in the water.
The book starts in Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. The war had'nt ended quite yet. A German scientist who goes by Kruger is boarding a German U-Boat to transport his mysterious bronze box to America. Because of the size of the box and since it can only fit in the torpedo room, the U-Boat is now unarmed and vulnerable. While at sea, the boat gets a message saying the war is over. But the war is never over for those at sea. A bomber plane strikes the U-boat with a barrage if missiles. The U-Boat begins to sink and for some reason Kruger opened the box.
Chase and Tall Man are marinebiologists who work on Osprey Island at Chase's marine institute. Chase's twelve year old son Max has come to stay with him for 1 month as visitation. Chase wants to make the most of this limited time to make up for 8 years lost. Soon Chase, Tall Man, Max, and Amanda, another marinebiologist who is studying with Chase, getting involved in a disturbing mystery with mysterious bodies washing up on shore, fields of dead seagulls and a stainless steel shark's tooth found in the carcass of a deer. It will have you on the edge of your seat!
"Benchley's new monster makes the shark from Jaws look like a pet goldfish." That couldn't be more true. I don't want to give away too much about the Nazi born, man-eating monster but it's terrifying. It kills for fun and hunts down any living thing within sensory range. No monster can stand up to the horrific image of Benchley's greatest abomination.
As I said before, this book is great. It has suspense, action, horror, and Benchley's classic life/death situations. All of that with an amazing monster. It creates wonderful insight into the point of view of the monster as it quests to feed its insatiable appetite and intense need to kill. The plot is good though a few times I was lost when the story switches characters after some chapters, those new characters usually get eaten by the monster by the end of the chapter. If you can get around small potholes, you should be fine. But be warned, don't go in the water.
July 4, 2023
The title and cover slightly misleading, this book is more of a creature feature about a killer nazi human-shark hybrid. (No spoilers there, it's hinted at in the beginning)
This was my first Peter Benchley book, (no, I've never read or seen Jaws; a crime, I know) and I mostly enjoyed it and would consider reading more of his work in the future.
The reason it only gets 3 stars is that it is kind of a slowburn, and as much as it sets up the evilness and ferocity of the "White Shark", he doesn't come across as that much of a threat in the story and I think we should have gotten more kills and carnage than what we did.
The climax is also a bit abrupt and the method in which they defeat the creature seems too easy.
I did enjoy the concept of the monster, though, and I also appreciated the slice of life POV of the protagonist, Chase, a scientist studying sharks.
There were a lot of fun facts about marine life that, as an animal and nature lover, I enjoyed reading about. It gave the novel a more realistic edge to it and provided some (not the best, but some) decent characterization. It seems Benchley is very knowledgeable and passionate about the ocean and its inhabitants and I would consider reading another book of his in the future.
3⭐
This was my first Peter Benchley book, (no, I've never read or seen Jaws; a crime, I know) and I mostly enjoyed it and would consider reading more of his work in the future.
The reason it only gets 3 stars is that it is kind of a slowburn, and as much as it sets up the evilness and ferocity of the "White Shark", he doesn't come across as that much of a threat in the story and I think we should have gotten more kills and carnage than what we did.
The climax is also a bit abrupt and the method in which they defeat the creature seems too easy.
I did enjoy the concept of the monster, though, and I also appreciated the slice of life POV of the protagonist, Chase, a scientist studying sharks.
There were a lot of fun facts about marine life that, as an animal and nature lover, I enjoyed reading about. It gave the novel a more realistic edge to it and provided some (not the best, but some) decent characterization. It seems Benchley is very knowledgeable and passionate about the ocean and its inhabitants and I would consider reading another book of his in the future.
3⭐
July 8, 2012
I know...I know...... my expectations may have been a little high... After all, this was written by the guy who gave us Jaws ! I mean JAWS!! One of the scariest books and best movies ever made. Surely this book couldn't be so bad. Could it?
I should also note...I read this book because I now live in Connecticut and it was amusing to see references to the Groton-New London airport.
That should tell you enough as to where this review is going.
The basic plot is that a shark like monster is terrorizing Long Island Sound. It kills everything....I mean everything. Heck, there is even a deer that bites it in this book. A young marine biologist and his new girlfriend (?) try to figure out what is killing everything. In the midst of this, I think they fall in love....but am not too sure because nothing is ever spelled out.
And that is the basic problem with this book. There is no character development. None. It seems that Benchley started off with a good premise and maybe a good idea of where he wanted to go with it. But about page 200 or so, Mr. Benchley appears to have forgotten his good intentions and decided that he needed to end this book as quickly as possible. He sets up a great and scary scene only to have it go nowhere.
The other major problem with this book is the actual creature itself. Benchley gives this a completely illogical and unnecessary back story. This makes it impossible to believe in itself, but once we discover what the actual monster is....well....let's just say it was hard for me not to laugh. I mean that seriously. At one point, I thought I was reading a poor imitation of Jaws but then I thought I was reading a really, really, really bad 1950s monster movie.
I understand that authors have good books and bad books. It is unfortunate that Mr. Benchley's last novel was this. Gone was the complex story of Jaws . Gone were the character development and gone was the terrifying story.
I hate to compare this book to Jaws so much, but it is an invitation that the author himself gives us. It is almost as if he wants to make sure that we are all clear that the bad guy is NOT the shark (one of the undeveloped characters in the book), and at the same time cash in on the obvious connection to his blockbuster.
I can't recommend this book to anyone in good conscience, unless you need an hour or so to kill. And a couple of hundred of thousands of braincells.
I should also note...I read this book because I now live in Connecticut and it was amusing to see references to the Groton-New London airport.
That should tell you enough as to where this review is going.
The basic plot is that a shark like monster is terrorizing Long Island Sound. It kills everything....I mean everything. Heck, there is even a deer that bites it in this book. A young marine biologist and his new girlfriend (?) try to figure out what is killing everything. In the midst of this, I think they fall in love....but am not too sure because nothing is ever spelled out.
And that is the basic problem with this book. There is no character development. None. It seems that Benchley started off with a good premise and maybe a good idea of where he wanted to go with it. But about page 200 or so, Mr. Benchley appears to have forgotten his good intentions and decided that he needed to end this book as quickly as possible. He sets up a great and scary scene only to have it go nowhere.
The other major problem with this book is the actual creature itself. Benchley gives this a completely illogical and unnecessary back story. This makes it impossible to believe in itself, but once we discover what the actual monster is....well....let's just say it was hard for me not to laugh. I mean that seriously. At one point, I thought I was reading a poor imitation of Jaws but then I thought I was reading a really, really, really bad 1950s monster movie.
I understand that authors have good books and bad books. It is unfortunate that Mr. Benchley's last novel was this. Gone was the complex story of Jaws . Gone were the character development and gone was the terrifying story.
I hate to compare this book to Jaws so much, but it is an invitation that the author himself gives us. It is almost as if he wants to make sure that we are all clear that the bad guy is NOT the shark (one of the undeveloped characters in the book), and at the same time cash in on the obvious connection to his blockbuster.
I can't recommend this book to anyone in good conscience, unless you need an hour or so to kill. And a couple of hundred of thousands of braincells.
March 27, 2018
After reading this in just 3 days I can say regretfully that it was a major letdown. The fact that it was written by Peter Benchley (the author of Jaws) was basically a guarantee of an exciting, terrifying, underwater thriller and I could not wait to start reading. I loved the beginning and the mystery of what the deranged scientist/doctor was creating because though you had no idea WHAT the thing was, you knew it was going to be something horrifying. And there is a nicely suspenseful buildup, just like in Jaws, where this unknown "monster" is causing mayhem without anyone actually SEEING it. Only this time, its not obvious what is terrorizing the locals...and the final moment you finally learn what the freakin thing is, its just not all that exciting. Or logical. Or scary. But the part that really disappointed me is the ending - or, in other words, after you find out what the characters are facing. The "creatures" identity was a big letdown, but I was at least hoping for a big, dramatic showdown Benchley's always given us. Nope. The book literally wraps up all that built-up hype with a rushed 20-page climax that left me thinking "that's it?" (*Also, the death of Zeppo the sea lion was just cruel and unnecessary!!! LoL)
June 15, 2017
I had read this before and forgot a chunk of it, mostly the beginning, so it was definitely worth a reread.
A hungry, bloodthirsty killing machine, a shark thrown in for good measure and Benchley turned out a great story.
Damn Nazis.
A hungry, bloodthirsty killing machine, a shark thrown in for good measure and Benchley turned out a great story.
Damn Nazis.
June 23, 2021
A book that desperately flails about trying to be scary and meaningful, but really only assuages Benchley's guilt about writing the Jaws novels and causing sharks to go almost extinct.
Did Not Finish
August 10, 2021This is my second attempt at reading this book. I've had enough.
August 9, 2013
Most of my reviews lately have started with me saying, "I loved this book!" because really I only feel compelled to write a review when I love a book. On some occasions I might dislike A book so intensely that I want to rant about it in a review but that's rare. So I'm going to start this review the same as most of my others. :)
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
It was fun and intelligent all at the same time, and to me that's what makes for good science ficton. There has to be a good mix of plausibility with the creativity. Sometimes the book could get a little heavy on the conservasionalism, but the main HUMAN character had dedicated his life to the conservation and study of sharks so it made perfect sense and never felt preachy and annoying to me.
Speaking of the main HUMAN character, I really enjoyed him. This book didn't go very deep into his psyche there wasn't a whole bunch of back story to get lost in, but I felt like I got to know him and every other character well enough to care whether thhey lived or died, and that's about as much character devolpment as I need when I read a book like this.
Simon Chase wasn't a perfect hero, but he was one of the more likeable chracters that I have delt with in a long time. He was a man that was drivin by a fierce love of the ocean and the creatures that dwelt in it; but he was also a very loving and attentive father, and I think that is what I liked most about him. Even though he was just really getting to know his son, they didn't have that combative relationship that I expected them to have; on the contrary, his son adored him and he was dedicated to making up for lost time.
There were a few other HUMAN character's like Amanda, the obligatory female "Love intrest" and Tall man, the "Best friend"; but even though they were nothing new, I felt ike they were done very well. Sometimes secondary characters can either feel like they are taking time away from the main storyline and cast or like they are virtualy non existent, but every chracter in this book was placed there to enhance the story. Even if their only purpose was to die, they were there for a reason.
And now I can get to my absolute favorite part of this book: The monster.
I can't go too deeply into descriptions of him because one of the things that made this such an enjoyable read for me was learning more and more about the monster as the story progressed. What I can say is that You will get to be inside his head, and that is a very interesting place to be. I won't go so far as to say I was rooting for him, but I also can't say I hated all the time either. Every thought he had wasn't evil. he had moment's of confusion, genuine hunger, and fear that made him fee more like an animal then a monster. I mean he was evil, and that comes across loud and clear, but the thing that set this monster apart for me was the vunerability. He wasn't all powerful and most of the time he knew it.
I'm always in the mood for some good sci-fi whether it's a movee, tv show, or book, and this was some grade A sci-fi. :)
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
It was fun and intelligent all at the same time, and to me that's what makes for good science ficton. There has to be a good mix of plausibility with the creativity. Sometimes the book could get a little heavy on the conservasionalism, but the main HUMAN character had dedicated his life to the conservation and study of sharks so it made perfect sense and never felt preachy and annoying to me.
Speaking of the main HUMAN character, I really enjoyed him. This book didn't go very deep into his psyche there wasn't a whole bunch of back story to get lost in, but I felt like I got to know him and every other character well enough to care whether thhey lived or died, and that's about as much character devolpment as I need when I read a book like this.
Simon Chase wasn't a perfect hero, but he was one of the more likeable chracters that I have delt with in a long time. He was a man that was drivin by a fierce love of the ocean and the creatures that dwelt in it; but he was also a very loving and attentive father, and I think that is what I liked most about him. Even though he was just really getting to know his son, they didn't have that combative relationship that I expected them to have; on the contrary, his son adored him and he was dedicated to making up for lost time.
There were a few other HUMAN character's like Amanda, the obligatory female "Love intrest" and Tall man, the "Best friend"; but even though they were nothing new, I felt ike they were done very well. Sometimes secondary characters can either feel like they are taking time away from the main storyline and cast or like they are virtualy non existent, but every chracter in this book was placed there to enhance the story. Even if their only purpose was to die, they were there for a reason.
And now I can get to my absolute favorite part of this book: The monster.
I can't go too deeply into descriptions of him because one of the things that made this such an enjoyable read for me was learning more and more about the monster as the story progressed. What I can say is that You will get to be inside his head, and that is a very interesting place to be. I won't go so far as to say I was rooting for him, but I also can't say I hated all the time either. Every thought he had wasn't evil. he had moment's of confusion, genuine hunger, and fear that made him fee more like an animal then a monster. I mean he was evil, and that comes across loud and clear, but the thing that set this monster apart for me was the vunerability. He wasn't all powerful and most of the time he knew it.
I'm always in the mood for some good sci-fi whether it's a movee, tv show, or book, and this was some grade A sci-fi. :)
May 26, 2017
Very intense
October 7, 2023
Not very good
June 30, 2024
I enjoy Benchley’s writing style and especially his marine setting’s and scientific details. It was a fast paced story and an entertaining one at that. The monster itself was interesting, but left me feeling indifferent about it. Overall, an enjoyable summer read
June 13, 2014
Peter Benchley wrote the novel Jaws (1974) and co-wrote the screenplay for Jaws (1975). His father, Nathaniel Benchley, wrote the novel The Off Islanders (1961) which was made into the movie The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966). And his grandfather, Robert Benchley, was an outstanding humourist, essayist and one of the founding members of the Algonquin Round Table. Peter Benchley appears to have only one novel in him so he has written it fairly successfully about five times. The locale, the threat, the old salt and the love interest change with each novel but the outline doesn't. On the cover of the paperback edition of Creature is written a quote from USA Today: "Benchley's new monster makes the shark from Jaws look like a pet goldfish." This should have scared me away but I was weakened by the effect of summer sunshine on the saltwater beach in front of our home. In the same way that Jaws was a "summer blockbuster" movie, Creature is a "summer beach-read" novel.
December 4, 2015
A book from the author who wrote Jaws. This basically follows the same format. In the waters is a lurking creature and the tension builds as the author reveals more about this creature. That is where the similarity ends as this protagonist is straight out of the science fiction pages.
This was an enjoyable book as the author has a niche with this type of format. The scariest thing is the unknown and what it will do. This book provides that. I enjoyed the characters even though there is nothing new here. We have the divorced father who is trying to reconnect with his son, the father's minority friend, and the female scientist. All of them are basically cliche but they work here. As for the reason for this story it is a little outlandish but it is fine as this book sets out what it is meant to do. It is a thriller that entertains and doesn't take itself too seriously.
This book isn't serious literature and is more like a beach read. The only problem with that is if you do decide to read this on the beach you might be afraid what is in the water.
This was an enjoyable book as the author has a niche with this type of format. The scariest thing is the unknown and what it will do. This book provides that. I enjoyed the characters even though there is nothing new here. We have the divorced father who is trying to reconnect with his son, the father's minority friend, and the female scientist. All of them are basically cliche but they work here. As for the reason for this story it is a little outlandish but it is fine as this book sets out what it is meant to do. It is a thriller that entertains and doesn't take itself too seriously.
This book isn't serious literature and is more like a beach read. The only problem with that is if you do decide to read this on the beach you might be afraid what is in the water.
June 24, 2016
A pretty quick read. Moves along like a Crichton thriller. Character development is rather weak, as I expected it to be, but still, it would have been nice to have a little more character depth. Peter Benchley is, to me, the next best thing to Crichton. White Shark is a fast-reading thriller where man is pit against a Nazi science experiment gone wrong. It satisfied my insatiable need for more Crichton-esque bio-thrillers. Benchley's Jaws is much, MUCH better, and White Shark felt sort of like he was cashing in on his own original shark tale, but I can't hold this against him because the world needs more authors with Benchley's writing style. His passing, like Crichton's, saddens me to no end. I pray they are both together now in a better place. It's a sad irony when I sit down to read a book by Benchley or Crichton because I enjoy the turning of every page, but with each page turned I become saddened by the fact that it's one less to turn. Anyway, it's a solid four stars from me.
June 7, 2015
I liked this book, but it is rather difficult to explain why without providing spoilers. Let me say, though, that the title is entirely misleading and you will not have to read long to figure that out. There is a white shark involved, but it is only peripheral to the main story. It is not until the story is winding down that it is clear where the title came from. The very first chapter will make it clear that the danger that drives the plot is not from a shark, but is something that has been made by humans. In fact, the white shark in the story is in great danger from this thing itself.
February 25, 2016
While I thought this book was pretty good, there was something lacking for me, or maybe I was just confused by it. I mean I still barely know what the fuck the thing was??? Shark with claws made out of metal? Who knows but it was a killer and it was made to kill and fuck man it killed. Don't want to be near that thing. I did like the characters but they needed more backstory or details or something. They could have been great characters.
I did love the quote I posted early from the book. SAVE THE SHARKS PEOPLE!
3.5/5
I did love the quote I posted early from the book. SAVE THE SHARKS PEOPLE!
3.5/5
August 25, 2008
"Jaws" was great. This? Not so much. But hey. Everybody's entitled to a mulligan.
November 1, 2008
Benchley's 80's horror
March 16, 2023
If you love Sharks and wild Nazi experiments at the end of WW2.... boy this is the tale for you !
Coming off the back of some fun but not exactly well written tales, it was a breath of fresh air to be given information on characters and some actual character development and stakes that mattered !
To kick this interesting tale, we get a flash back of the end of the WW2 when alot of the main players of the war, began to flee persecution and capture by the enemy forces moving in. This sets up the consequences and events that would cascade almost 50 years later...Modern day (1990's) we are introduced to a national Geographic ocean photographer who happens across something every unusual and accidentally unleashing it on to the local populance.
Then we meet Chase and Tall man our main guys, during the tracking of a great white shark cruising the ocean. learning that Chase's young son will be spending the next month with him on his ocean institute island.
Intending to make this a memorable experience for his son , they take him out to track the great white and get him involved in the work and research they are conducting.
I loved the flitting between some characters, giving them there own chapters and in alot of cases detailing the lead up to their deaths.
Chase gets brought in to the picture regrading some unusual deaths and disappearances that have been happening recently in the small town.
Similar to Jaws the higher ups want to keep this controlled and quiet until a festival has come and gone.
The perspectives of the creature was also brilliant, to see through its monstrous eyes !
This was an awesome read, it flew by whilst away and traveling. very easy to pick up and kept me interested throughout. Having seen the TV series 'creature', this was quite different source material but i can see where they picked up most of it !
Would highly recommend for a summer read when your lounging by the sea... but be careful... who knows what lurks within its depths!
Coming off the back of some fun but not exactly well written tales, it was a breath of fresh air to be given information on characters and some actual character development and stakes that mattered !
To kick this interesting tale, we get a flash back of the end of the WW2 when alot of the main players of the war, began to flee persecution and capture by the enemy forces moving in. This sets up the consequences and events that would cascade almost 50 years later...Modern day (1990's) we are introduced to a national Geographic ocean photographer who happens across something every unusual and accidentally unleashing it on to the local populance.
Then we meet Chase and Tall man our main guys, during the tracking of a great white shark cruising the ocean. learning that Chase's young son will be spending the next month with him on his ocean institute island.
Intending to make this a memorable experience for his son , they take him out to track the great white and get him involved in the work and research they are conducting.
I loved the flitting between some characters, giving them there own chapters and in alot of cases detailing the lead up to their deaths.
Chase gets brought in to the picture regrading some unusual deaths and disappearances that have been happening recently in the small town.
Similar to Jaws the higher ups want to keep this controlled and quiet until a festival has come and gone.
The perspectives of the creature was also brilliant, to see through its monstrous eyes !
This was an awesome read, it flew by whilst away and traveling. very easy to pick up and kept me interested throughout. Having seen the TV series 'creature', this was quite different source material but i can see where they picked up most of it !
Would highly recommend for a summer read when your lounging by the sea... but be careful... who knows what lurks within its depths!
April 12, 2021
I loved this book for the first 1/3. It’s written so much better than Jaws. There’s great flow. The characters are well developed. I even loved the double intro explaining the Nazi experiments and then how the creature was discovered and accidentally unleashed. I thought, a Great White with metal teeth? COOL. But, bit by bit, as Benchley started describing this creature, things just got weird. You’re reading about what you assume is a shark and suddenly he describes it as having claws. Claws? Oh. Hm. Ok. Then he says it has webbed feet. Huuuuh. Then it can crawl out of the water and convert its lungs from breathing in water to air. What am I reading here? I just kept laughing. It was like something out of my 9-year-old’s imagination.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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