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Rummies
Scott Preston, a distinguished New York editor and alcoholic, enters the Banner Clinic, a celebrated drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, and finds himself surrounded by a bizarre and colorful group of fellow patients
340 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
About the author
Peter Benchley
65 books1,215 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 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 30, 2022
This book is about a person who doesn't think he has a drinking problem. His loved ones have an intervention and force him into a clinic. This novel is about his time in the clinic.
This book just didn't work for me. I don't really know why either. I think the subject is interesting and I have not read anything close to it. There are some interesting characters including the main character. I was interested in his time at the clinic and to see if his treatment would stick or not. But for me, the book just went on and on and never captured me. And I still don't know why. Even with the serious subject matter we delved into race relations and the hypocrisy that could be behind these clinics. All important and relevant matters. But if I had to use one word for this book I would use "bored". It took me a long time to finish because I was never into it even with the ingredients for an exciting book.
This book is written by the author of Jaws and other sea adventures. Maybe I was just not use to this type of book from him. It is a character study book with no action. Maybe when I read a book from him I need a sea creature that is a menace in the ocean and chomping away humans. If you are going to pick up a book from this author I recommend his water adventure novels instead of this one.
This book just didn't work for me. I don't really know why either. I think the subject is interesting and I have not read anything close to it. There are some interesting characters including the main character. I was interested in his time at the clinic and to see if his treatment would stick or not. But for me, the book just went on and on and never captured me. And I still don't know why. Even with the serious subject matter we delved into race relations and the hypocrisy that could be behind these clinics. All important and relevant matters. But if I had to use one word for this book I would use "bored". It took me a long time to finish because I was never into it even with the ingredients for an exciting book.
This book is written by the author of Jaws and other sea adventures. Maybe I was just not use to this type of book from him. It is a character study book with no action. Maybe when I read a book from him I need a sea creature that is a menace in the ocean and chomping away humans. If you are going to pick up a book from this author I recommend his water adventure novels instead of this one.
October 10, 2021
I hadn't read anything by Benchley for a long time, but when I saw this in a thrift store, I remembered that I enjoyed him so what the hell and picked it up. This is the story of an alcoholic publishing house editor that doesn't know he's an alcoholic and is shipped to a clinic in New Mexico after an intervention by his with and his boss. While there, he meets a cast of characters and does actually learn some things about himself. It is an enjoyable and often humorous story.
September 7, 2023
Peter Benchley is famous for writing Jaws but here the protagonist is facing a different kind of monster, that of alcoholism. This has more of a One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest vibe, as it tells the story of a group of people who meet at a drug-and-alcohol rehabilitation clinic.
When Scott Preston, A Yale-educated publishing executive has four double vodkas on his way to work one time too many, he finds his employer, wife and daughter forcing him into residential treatment for his alcoholism
In the rehab center, the rather suspect Banner Clinic, there is humor, emotional situations and suspense as one of the patients dies in mysterious circumstances.
Addiction is real "equal opportunity" showing no distinction for class, race, economic position etc…
When Scott Preston, A Yale-educated publishing executive has four double vodkas on his way to work one time too many, he finds his employer, wife and daughter forcing him into residential treatment for his alcoholism
In the rehab center, the rather suspect Banner Clinic, there is humor, emotional situations and suspense as one of the patients dies in mysterious circumstances.
Addiction is real "equal opportunity" showing no distinction for class, race, economic position etc…
June 12, 2011
Excellent book, Peter Benchley (JAWS) really writes a great story. This takes place at a rehab center for alcoholics and junkies. There is humor (made me laugh out loud), emotional situations and enough suspense to keep you reading right to the very end. Each character really comes to life and each brings out a different emotional reaction from the reader......sort of like real life!
July 8, 2022
This is the first Peter Benchley book I have read. I absolutely loved it. The character development was slow and smooth, just perfect. Loved how the book just built up to the action at the end, it was really more about these people and their relationships. Will definitely read another book by him!
September 8, 2018
What sort of book does an author write after his first novel becomes a bestseller and is made into a wildly successful movie (with sequels)? To observe that this is a good kind of problem for an author to have does not answer the question. Peter Benchley (1940-2006) wrote "Jaws" in 1974 and his potential as the son and the grandson of successful writers was realized in a single book. He wrote four other books before he wrote "Rummies," which is not at all like any of his other work. It is the story of a well-do-do, Yale-educated publishing executive whose employer, wife and daughter force him into residential treatment for his alcoholism. There have been suggestions that the book maybe be somewhat autobiographical. The truly remarkable insight into the psychology of an alcoholic which this book demonstrates could scarcely have been obtained in any other way. The Eleventh Tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous prevents members from disclosing their membership in that fellowship "at the level of press, radio and films" which includes books. But an alcoholic author who is in recovery is certainly free to share his experience, strength and hope through the media, as Benchley appears to have done in this novel. In the New Mexico facility for the treatment of drug- and alcohol-addicted people which the author imagines, he introduces a fascinating cast of not-so-improbable characters, which demonstrates the often-repeated maxim of addiction recovery that drugs and alcohol show no preference for any color, race, educational level, economic group, social class nor any other demographic. Addiction is real "equal opportunity" in that sense. This part of the novel has been compared to Ken Kesey's much more popular "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." A story wouldn't be a story without a complication and a resolution involving the characters about whom the reader most cares. That's how Benchley ends this one. Well done, sir.
July 13, 2018
This was a re-read for me. In Australia the book is called Lush. I remember it as being quite a good depiction of rehab centres that had been corrupted which does happen in my experience. The re-read was interesting as I am probably more mature and saw it from a different perspective but I still loved it. One thing that always stuck with me is that the rehab place wouldn’t let the patients read books because it is a form of escape... this is true but I don’t agree with not allowing people to read. Still I really loved this interpretation of a rehab facility and the ins and outs of what actually happens.
November 11, 2014
Rummies by Peter Benchley (Fawcett 1989) (Fiction). This is a treatment center whodunit by the guy who wrote Jaws. He should stick closer to the water. DNF. My rating: 4/10, finished 2009.
July 7, 2011
Absolutely loved this book. Benchley's best work in my opinion. If you get the chance-give this one a read.
October 10, 2012
Not excellent, barely good, but not boring either. I didn't mind reading it - though I disliked its style in some parts.
March 31, 2016
Trash-novel best read on a plane. I sort of enjoyed it...I think. Well...I did not HATE it so...whatever.
February 8, 2019
I hadn't heard of this one of Benchley's before. Happened upon it in a thrift store and ended up using it for a project. The characters are well blended, the descriptions were clear, and the plot was moderately paced. That being said, it is full of the racism and prejudice that was common during the time in which the book was written, which was a bit off putting. However, this is to be expected for a book written during that time period. That being said, the end was a bit rushed, and the closer to the end I got, the less details were present, making the ending seem quite rushed, which was rather frustrating. It's not as good as Jaws or as good as White Shark, which may explain why I hadn't heard of it before...
April 30, 2022
Although I am a big fan of Peter Benchley this particular book did not work for me. It seemed to lack any kind of greatness or excitement and was certainly not interesting. It droned, and I, in turn, abandoned the book midway. There are so many great books out there that there's no point in sticking with one that is not working for you.
July 24, 2024
I just finished reading this 1989 Peter Benchley novel. It was definitely on a different subject matter from the other books of his that I've read and enjoyed. There was nothing marine about this one at all. It was the story of one alcoholic's time in rehab. It was well-written and a little funny, but overall not my type of book.
November 28, 2018
Recently I read another of his books, this one also wasn't a disappointment. Taking place in a rehab, the story evolved into a murder mystery. The first two chapters were so descriptive that the story had to be completed. His kind of exciting, descriptive, good read.
November 7, 2017
Peter Benchley shows he has his granddad's talent for dark humor and satire with this bitterly funny look into alcoholism and rehab.
December 3, 2020
Read in 1990. A cast of characters interact at a drug rehabilitation facility.
September 22, 2021
While Jaws is without a faint the greatest book I have ever read this one is by far Benchleys best written work. Absolutely loved it.
5 stars.
Would highly recommend ✌🏻🙌🏻🙏🏻
5 stars.
Would highly recommend ✌🏻🙌🏻🙏🏻
August 6, 2022
An alcoholic is coaxed to enter a clinic by his work, wife and daughter. Consistently entertaining that has been compared to Cuckoos' Nest.
December 22, 2023
This book was a story diametrically opposite to the books that made the author a renowned name and one who could be credited to have made the world fear entering the water and also one who gave the Sharks their mean reputations. The author of Jaws has other books in the same genre but this one is really different.
It is about a chronic drunk who gets himself rehabilitated but not by his own choice. The book is a lot of fun to read if you set aside the author's reputation as the pre-eminent author and perennial enemy of the sharks and the beach-tourism industry.
I got caught on the wrong foot when I picked this book based on the authors reputation but when I completed the book I felt elated for a job well done.
It is about a chronic drunk who gets himself rehabilitated but not by his own choice. The book is a lot of fun to read if you set aside the author's reputation as the pre-eminent author and perennial enemy of the sharks and the beach-tourism industry.
I got caught on the wrong foot when I picked this book based on the authors reputation but when I completed the book I felt elated for a job well done.
January 16, 2013
I enjoyed Peter Benchley's earlier novels (the big famous one, especially) a number of years ago. Somewhere along the twisted path I picked this up, and even through multiple clean-outs over the years I've always hung onto it because it really sounded right up my alley.
Now that I've had a chance to read Rummies, I think it's safe to say some higher power knew I'd love this book and finally nudged me to read it at just the right time. The book follows alcoholic Scott Preston from a vodka soaked morning on his way to work through a messy intervention that lands him at a drug-rehab for four weeks. Through meeting a colorful cast of characters and interacting with them on a regular basis, Preston goes through a process of self-discovery that is genuine, heart-felt, and driven by unlikely friendships forged in the furnace of some seriously kooky therapy sessions.
To my mind, despite the effort Fawcett put into making you think this was an action novel or a mystery, this is very much a literary work but-stop-don't-runaway! This is a really good novel, a character driven novel that makes you think, take stock of your own life, and speaks some tough truths about addiction and addictive personalities. To that end, I think anyone who knows or has been a drug-addict or alcoholic will certainly enjoy this novel at its utmost possible level of greatness -- and if you've ever been in a treatment facility, you'll probably think this book was written just for you.
I loved these characters, enjoyed reading about their lives, and especially enjoyed seeing them interact in the context of this story. The only thing keeping me from giving this a solid five stars was a lack of driving plot (which I see was necessary in some ways), and a wish for a bit more of a slam-bang at the end. Nevertheless, I would have gladly read another 300 pages of this book, pacing and plot as-is. I thought it was very well-done, and quite possibly the best novel I've read by Peter Benchley.
Now that I've had a chance to read Rummies, I think it's safe to say some higher power knew I'd love this book and finally nudged me to read it at just the right time. The book follows alcoholic Scott Preston from a vodka soaked morning on his way to work through a messy intervention that lands him at a drug-rehab for four weeks. Through meeting a colorful cast of characters and interacting with them on a regular basis, Preston goes through a process of self-discovery that is genuine, heart-felt, and driven by unlikely friendships forged in the furnace of some seriously kooky therapy sessions.
To my mind, despite the effort Fawcett put into making you think this was an action novel or a mystery, this is very much a literary work but-stop-don't-runaway! This is a really good novel, a character driven novel that makes you think, take stock of your own life, and speaks some tough truths about addiction and addictive personalities. To that end, I think anyone who knows or has been a drug-addict or alcoholic will certainly enjoy this novel at its utmost possible level of greatness -- and if you've ever been in a treatment facility, you'll probably think this book was written just for you.
I loved these characters, enjoyed reading about their lives, and especially enjoyed seeing them interact in the context of this story. The only thing keeping me from giving this a solid five stars was a lack of driving plot (which I see was necessary in some ways), and a wish for a bit more of a slam-bang at the end. Nevertheless, I would have gladly read another 300 pages of this book, pacing and plot as-is. I thought it was very well-done, and quite possibly the best novel I've read by Peter Benchley.
December 19, 2012
When Scott Preston has four double vodkas on his way to work one time too many, he finds himself the subject of an intervention. He’s packed off to the Banner Clinic, run by Stone Banner, a celebrity who is idolized by the public. He gets to the clinic, where he certainly doesn’t feel like he belongs, the same day as another guy dressed in a rabbit suit, and proceeds to meet a unique array of patients. There’s tattooed Hector, who seems to be spending his life bouncing from one treatment center to another, Puffguts, who was sent to treatment in lieu of a mob drowning, Cheryl, who’s incredibly thin and timid, and the lovely Priscilla, who intrigues Scott against his better judgment. They spend their days going to therapy and chain smoking cigarettes, and Scott begins to turn around under the tutelage of their counselor Marcia. Just when Scott seems to be settling into life in treatment, however, everything goes awry. A famous actress who graduated from the clinic shortly after Scott’s arrival is found dead in the desert, either the victim of a long fall or a hit and run. Then their counselors, and then Priscilla, disappear. Something is wrong at the Banner Clinic, and Scott seems to be the only patient levelheaded enough to come up with a plan to save them all.
The name Peter Benchley is practically synonymous with the sea, but in this book he proves he doesn’t need a watery background to craft a good story. This is a book largely about addiction treatment with a bit of intrigue thrown in, but even without the intrigue I would have liked it. Benchley writes with an engaging sense of humor and his protagonist’s journey from denial to acceptance was actually a lot of fun. Though we don’t see him on the current best seller lists, Benchley’s work is well worth reading.
The name Peter Benchley is practically synonymous with the sea, but in this book he proves he doesn’t need a watery background to craft a good story. This is a book largely about addiction treatment with a bit of intrigue thrown in, but even without the intrigue I would have liked it. Benchley writes with an engaging sense of humor and his protagonist’s journey from denial to acceptance was actually a lot of fun. Though we don’t see him on the current best seller lists, Benchley’s work is well worth reading.
February 11, 2012
When I bought this book it was without knowing the author or his work. I read the text on the back and saw on the front "Bestselling author of Jaws", and thought to myself that this couldn't be too bad a book.
Now, 7-8 reading hours later (read 2/3 of the book in one "sitting"), I feel so happy that I bought this book.
The characters are entertaining, the story flows and you laugh at the jokes that are strategically placed around the text. I had expected the book to be a "Thriller" (just because of the Jaws reference) but it's just a very good Drama/Suspense/Comedy. Benchley helps the readers (those of us that haven't been to a detox clinic) picture the surroundings and the scenes, and I feel that the book even gave me a bit more understanding of addictions and their associated problems.
A book that entertains me is of course something that I look for, but this one also made me think a bit, which in turn made me like it even more. It has some minor negative points, but they are so inconsequential that I'll refrain from listing them here.
Now, 7-8 reading hours later (read 2/3 of the book in one "sitting"), I feel so happy that I bought this book.
The characters are entertaining, the story flows and you laugh at the jokes that are strategically placed around the text. I had expected the book to be a "Thriller" (just because of the Jaws reference) but it's just a very good Drama/Suspense/Comedy. Benchley helps the readers (those of us that haven't been to a detox clinic) picture the surroundings and the scenes, and I feel that the book even gave me a bit more understanding of addictions and their associated problems.
A book that entertains me is of course something that I look for, but this one also made me think a bit, which in turn made me like it even more. It has some minor negative points, but they are so inconsequential that I'll refrain from listing them here.
January 11, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I read Peter Benchley's most famous novel, Jaws, many years ago, and so knew his style of writing, but this is a completely different theme. It is a semi-autobiographical novel set in a rehab clinic in New Mexico, and turns into a kind of thriller half way through. It is hard to classify as a genre, as it written in a comic style, with some great characterization, and laugh-out-loud moments. It was probably written before it's time, and so has been under-rated in the past by critics, but it has some really poignant moments about the struggle to recover from addiction.
September 22, 2013
rather unique narrative
reminded me of William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist on a lower scale
abounds with similes and metaphors
many thanks to pendy for this paperback!
reminded me of William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist on a lower scale
abounds with similes and metaphors
many thanks to pendy for this paperback!
August 20, 2009
Very entertaining
October 30, 2011
Enjoyable book about a rehab centre.
January 8, 2008
I've learned NOT to be a rummy. Hehehe!! This one is really hilarious.
April 8, 2017
Who knew rehab was so much fun? Read about Scott Preston's (called a poor WASP bastard with 2 first names by his counselor) adventures at a facility surrounded by well-sketched characters. Filled with screamingly funny and memorable one-liners, Rummies both entertains and educates on relationships. addictive personalities, unspoken racism, and presenting the best version of yourself when chips are down. Run to the store/public library NOW and get this book.
Other lines from the book that stayed with me for over 26 years (paraphrased):
Ayatollah K meet Ronald R. The Ayatollah overdosed on God. Ronnie R stuffed himself with jelly beans and sweet dreams.
In the land of the free, apartheid rears its ugly head.
Other lines from the book that stayed with me for over 26 years (paraphrased):
Ayatollah K meet Ronald R. The Ayatollah overdosed on God. Ronnie R stuffed himself with jelly beans and sweet dreams.
In the land of the free, apartheid rears its ugly head.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews