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Regina's Reviews > Jaws
Jaws
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by
DNF @ 75%.
Jaws (1974) has been on my October Halloween reading list for years, but I never got to it until now. I haven't seen the movie in its entirety and thus was able to go into it without many expectations.
As it turns out, I am what I am. And what I am is a reader who can read about animals killing people but not people killing animals.
I breezed through scene after scene that described the shark preying on swimmers (I mean, it's gotta eat, right?), though I had to throw in the towel once the people of Amity started their capture/kill efforts against the shark.
Things I also didn't appreciate: Use of the derogatory F-word slur, the lack of scariness, a boring and overly-descriptive sexual affair, and the graphic description of the murder of a cat.
NOT FOR ME.
Jaws (1974) has been on my October Halloween reading list for years, but I never got to it until now. I haven't seen the movie in its entirety and thus was able to go into it without many expectations.
As it turns out, I am what I am. And what I am is a reader who can read about animals killing people but not people killing animals.
I breezed through scene after scene that described the shark preying on swimmers (I mean, it's gotta eat, right?), though I had to throw in the towel once the people of Amity started their capture/kill efforts against the shark.
Things I also didn't appreciate: Use of the derogatory F-word slur, the lack of scariness, a boring and overly-descriptive sexual affair, and the graphic description of the murder of a cat.
NOT FOR ME.
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Reading Progress
October 26, 2021
–
Started Reading
October 26, 2021
– Shelved
October 26, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 82 (82 new)
message 1:
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Michael
(new)
Oct 27, 2021 08:24AM
Yeesh! I never knew the book was like that. I personally didn't like the movie either...although there are some shark movies I enjoy. Hope you're moving onto a fab read! 😊
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Michael wrote: "Yeesh! I never knew the book was like that. I personally didn't like the movie either...although there are some shark movies I enjoy. Hope you're moving onto a fab read! 😊"Sharknado? ;)
Eek! I had no idea! I'd be moving on too.....
I have only seen the movie-and that was years ago! Who knew? Great review!💕
I think our appreciation of animals and horror stories are very mixed now. I’m sure it wouldn’t appeal to me at this age but it sure scared the crap out of me back then! Nice review, Regina!
Thanks Jayme! Not sure I’ll ever watch the movie now. 🦈
Yikes! I love the movie but I will steer clear of the book.
The entirety of my experience with the Jaws franchise: crying hysterically on the ride at Universal Studios as a kid with my mother yelling at my dad for taking me because it was too scary, only to find out the smoke effects hurt my eyes and I saw none of the "scary" parts since my eyes were closed. 🤣Sorry this one was such a bust for you! Hope you can sneak at least one more good one in for spooky season!
Love the movie and almost picked up the book a few weeks ago - glad I didn't now! 🤨
First Flowers in the Attic and now Yaws! What are you doing girl?? 😁😱I can only say I really liked both the Jaws book and movie but that was waaaaay back then; times and tastes have changed !
Supesss honest! Love it. I have not read the book or watched the movie, and not planning on doing either. 😬🤷♂️
So what you're saying is that this book has not dated well. I have always toyed with the idea of reading this book. I may continue to give this a pass, lol!
Honest review Regina! Yeah, the book is definitely different then the movie. I'm glad I read it but I'll just be sticking with the movie from here on out. I'm not doing a re-read of this one! :D
Always found Jaws to be a product of its time. I'm in the minority, but the movie isn't worth watching. Sounds like the book is the same. Kudos to you for trying to strike this off your list!
Okay, the kitty part? Huge turn off. I haven't even watched the movie but was going to read this and was looking for an excuse to take it off my TBR...and now I have one (or many, really!) Fab review Regina! x
When I read the book at the height of its popularity, I found the affair tedious and the plot alternated between tension and boredom. The movie was much better than the book (no affair as I recall), scarier with some humor to cut the tension.
Jen wrote: "I think our appreciation of animals and horror stories are very mixed now. I’m sure it wouldn’t appeal to me at this age but it sure scared the crap out of me back then! Nice review, Regina!"Maybe??? I just didn't find it to be scary at all. It could be that the movie depiction of it makes it sinister.
Michelle wrote: "Yikes! I love the movie but I will steer clear of the book."Wise choice!
Jen wrote: "The entirety of my experience with the Jaws franchise: crying hysterically on the ride at Universal Studios as a kid with my mother yelling at my dad for taking me because it was too scary, only to..."Well in your dad's defense, how can you go to Universal Studios without going on the Jaws ride???? You cannot.
Denise wrote: "Love the movie and almost picked up the book a few weeks ago - glad I didn't now! 🤨"Dodged a bullet, Denise!
Diane wrote: "Honest!"Always!
Karine wrote: "First Flowers in the Attic and now Yaws! What are you doing girl?? 😁😱I can only say I really liked both the Jaws book and movie but that was waaaaay back then; times and tastes have changed !"
Hahaha! Trying to scare myself at least once or twice this month. ;)
Dorian wrote: "Supesss honest! Love it. I have not read the book or watched the movie, and not planning on doing either. 😬🤷♂️"Supesss! I'm happy I was able to be honest with myself and just set this aside. I could tell it was only going to get worse. :(
Eileen wrote: "So what you're saying is that this book has not dated well. I have always toyed with the idea of reading this book. I may continue to give this a pass, lol!"Some of the language is definitely non-PC by today's standards, but that's fairly common when reading older books. You may enjoy this more than me... if animal harm isn't a deal breaker for you.
Derek wrote: "Always found Jaws to be a product of its time. I'm in the minority, but the movie isn't worth watching. Sounds like the book is the same. Kudos to you for trying to strike this off your list!"Thanks Derek! Sounds like maybe the film's famous score is the best part about Jaws all around.
Catherine wrote: "Okay, the kitty part? Huge turn off. I haven't even watched the movie but was going to read this and was looking for an excuse to take it off my TBR...and now I have one (or many, really!) Fab revi..."Oh yeah, 100% delete!!! Glad to have been of help here, Catherine. ;)
Chris wrote: "When I read the book at the height of its popularity, I found the affair tedious and the plot alternated between tension and boredom. The movie was much better than the book (no affair as I recall)..."That's what I hear, Chris. Not gonna watch the movie now to compare it for myself though!
Oh no, I can't deal with violence against animals (I get it against the shark, but a cat?!) This is coming off my TBR!
Emily wrote: "Oh no, I can't deal with violence against animals (I get it against the shark, but a cat?!) This is coming off my TBR!"Yep. And the scene doesn't pull any punches, either.
Myreads wrote: "Murder of a cat?!?! Whattttt"Yes, and not by the shark.
"Jaws" wouldn't be for me either, Regina. I haven't even ever had much of an interest to watch the movie. At least you tried it, and now you know it's not for you. :)
Melissa wrote: ""Jaws" wouldn't be for me either, Regina. I haven't even ever had much of an interest to watch the movie. At least you tried it, and now you know it's not for you. :)"Exactly! Now I can cross it off my list. ;)
Terrific review! I don't like books either when people kill animals. Its just not necessary! 💜 I loved the movie!
The movie is so much better than the book; scared me to death in a dark theater all those years ago
Benchley became a shark advocate after the negativity this book and movie caused. I have never read this, but I did read Shark Trouble: True Stories and Lessons about the Sea by him. Very informative.
Right you are Regina. Mind you standards and values have changed since this was written nearly 50 years ago.
Sorry this one 'bites' and you couldn't 'fin'-ish it. I hope your next read goes 'swimmingly'! (I'll stop now. 😏) Awesome review, Regina. (or "Jawsome' if you prefer. Too much?)
Great review Regina! I am so sorry you couldn't finish this one, I think I would have had the same issue. When I watched the film I found myself routing for the shark!
Kathy wrote: "The movie is so much better than the book; scared me to death in a dark theater all those years ago"That's what I've been hearing, Kathy! The rare instance where the movie is better.
Elizabeth☮ wrote: "Benchley became a shark advocate after the negativity this book and movie caused. I have never read this, but I did read Shark Trouble: True Stories and Lessons about the Sea by him. ..."Now there's a book I might actually finish! Thanks for the background and recommendation, Elizabeth.
Pat wrote: "Right you are Regina. Mind you standards and values have changed since this was written nearly 50 years ago."For sure!
Kat wrote: "Sorry this one 'bites' and you couldn't 'fin'-ish it. I hope your next read goes 'swimmingly'! (I'll stop now. 😏) Awesome review, Regina. (or "Jawsome' if you prefer. Too much?)"Now see, I feel like I missed so many opportunities to drop puns here. That blows! (Wait, that's a whale pun...)
Ellie wrote: "Great review Regina! I am so sorry you couldn't finish this one, I think I would have had the same issue. When I watched the film I found myself routing for the shark!"Haha, that's exactly what I'd be doing too, Ellie!
Oh well, can't win them all. I still can't believe the movie is only rated PG (before the days of PG-13) even though it's kind of cheesy now.
Melissa, the movie is rated PG?! Wow. 🤯
Ceecee wrote: "Oh dear!! Onwards and upwards!! 💖"Exactly my plan! :)
