It's four years since
the Long Island resort of Amity was terrorized by the monster killer
shark... the nightmare story that thrilled the world as JAWS. — Out in
the deep water there's a new and even more terrible predator from the
ocean depths... — The female of the Great White Shark is even larger
than the male. — Ravenously hungry, the death-dealing monster slices
through the blue water towards the beaches of Amity...
|
This was an average follow up to the original book. It was, by no means, stellar. I'm in the minority that I enjoyed the second movie a lot - despite its boring parts and some silliness, it was still a good follow-up to the original blockbuster film. The book is much of the same - some boring parts, but mainly interesting enough.
Unlike the movie, there was no implied revenge. The female shark mated with the original Jaws some time ago, and is now acting out of character and with a ferocious appetite because she's pregnant and coming near her birthing date. She doesn't have a personal vendetta, thankfully, and the POV of the shark are educational, kind of like a backseat reaction to the nature channel, which is the same as techniques used in the first novel.
Unlike the movie, the chief doesn't get fired, he stays a man struggling against a corrupt town. You thought the town was fishy before? The small town corruption has spread farther and into more dangerous pockets. I won't spoil it, but let's just say even the mafia is involved. Sounds silly but it was written okay. While the first book had a large side plot of the wife bonking the local shark expert, this one has the big story of a mafia involvement while the chief fights against corruption. I actually enjoyed the twist at the ending of that story where Ms Brody with her kind heart towards kids saves the day.
There are some deaths, of course, nothing shocking - the only deaths I cared about as much were two animals where the sympathy was high. We were in their head and the author made sure to make them as sweet as can be, damn him. I was rooting for their survival, but the jaws of nature are cruel.
This is a slower swimming fish. There's not a big rush of plot story. The finale battle at the end is only mere pages and does not impress with its intensity. No swift pace but still the writing style works. Searls whips out a writing style that is down to earth and casual, easy to digest while you read about starving sharks in a small town that is blessed by a flawed by realistic chief we all instantly love.
The book is only worth seeking out if you're a die hard Jaws fan, for curiosities sake if you like the vintage movie cover and want it displayed on the shelf, or it's a dollar or less in a used bookstore. It's good, but not great. I'm glad I read it, but I don't see myself fishing out the rest of the series.
And now, since the review is dead, the shark metaphors in this review must end too.
Book Quotes:
Martin
Brody hated the ocean. Any sane man would hate it. It was a cold
surging hell, and all of its creatures were demons, and the devil had an
ebony, blinded eye."
Similar Reviews:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
