Customer Reviews

White Shark

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I picked up a copy of this book as soon as it hit the shelves. I tore into it ravenously (being a Benchley fan from "Jaws" days), and found myself shaking my head at the unbelievable expectations the author wanted me to believe as the story-line unfolds. To me the whole book read like a great white shark meets a storm trooping Edward Scissorhands or, maybe, Freddie Kruegger.

First of all, the author appears to be reaching deep for any kind of sympathy or group you can hope to pull into a story -- Nazis and those who hate them, reporters and those who hate them, even sharks. Sharks are, by the way, only peripheral characters in this book, maligned and mauled by the main creature/character.

OK, I usually don't tell too much about what's in a book, but I want to save many of you who haven't read this book already. A deranged Nazi scientist develops an amphibious biological based on a human form (an ultimate amphibious warrior) that has metal teeth and claws, a ravenous appetite, and nasty disposition to match.

No one in the book knows what to make of the remains they find scattered along the beach and, later, on shore. Only at the end of a predictable series of events do the "good guys" finally figure out what's up and put and end to the situation.

I worked my way through the book in good order, mostly because I was on vacation at the time and had little else at hand to read. The book is a quick and, compared to JAWS, a shallow read.

I wish I could recommend this book, but I cannot in good conscience do that. I can't imagine who in the world I would feel good recommending it to. It's too bad that not everything out there is a 5-star item.

I gave it a couple of stars primarily because I enjoy stories with a marne setting.

I hope these comments are helpful to you.

Alan Holyoak

This book begins during World War II. There is a doctor trying to escape from Germany. He gets on a submarine and brings a large coffin. On their way out of the country, they get attacked and sin k. In 1996, a photographer goes on a deep-sea dive to take pictures. Before the surface, they see the sunken U-boat. They go over and lift the coffin on to the boat. The man opens the coffin, which lets the creature escape. Simon Chase owns the Osprey Island Marine Institute. On the small island people start getting killed mysteriously. The people on the island realize the importance of killing this creature and intend to do it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good sci-fi horror novel. It is somewhat gory and scary. It will keep you on your toes. If you liked Peter Benchley's "Jaws" then you will like this. It is a good, thrilling story that you wont want to put down.

as Jaws and white shark! A nail biter nonetheless! Great characters are still to find in this great book! Benchley is a a great writer!

Despite the title and the basic premise which seems to follow Benchley's trademark plot (Jaws, Girl from the Sea of Cortez, Beast) this book takes a twist in Koontz genetic engineering territory (and a rather corny one at that). A nice novel for Benchley & genre fans with identity of the mysterious creature not immediately appearent to the reader, but ultimately this is an empty summer read- the literay equivilent of a mediocre Jerry Bruckheimer movie. Fun while it lasts, but tough to remember by next week.

When I had first gotten this book, I'd put it off to the side for a while. But when I finally picked it up, I couldn't put it down. The reason I wanted the book in the first place was because I missed half the miniseries because of a storm. But the way the book read, there's no way the movie was better. The book was interesting in that it helped understand the ocean and the creatures that live there, plus and interesting plot, and characters that you feel like you've known them your whole life. If you want to read one book at the beach this summer, this is it, but don't plan on going into the water.

i love this book. it was about 300 pages long and i read it in 2 days (thats including all of the times i had to stop and eat, or sleep). this is one of my favorite books. its a must read if u like action/scary books!

I didn't enjoy this book. About the best thing I can say about it is that it has a nautical setting (which I enjoy) and that if you need to waste a few hours and don't want to have to think this book can help you. I suppose Benchley feels bad that his book Jaws (an the MUCH better movie rendition) caused a backlash compelling hate-inspired fishermen to hunt and kill great white sharks to the verge of endangerment. To make up for this, he tries to envoke the reader with a new love for great whites. I think this is a worthy cause, but his attmept is poorly done and his motives transparent. As for the story as a whole... I hope little effort went into it. The result is awful. Imagine several marine biologist types (strangely enough a man and a woman...), a few porpises, a shark or two, and an author desperately trying to come up with an idea for a new monster to fight. There! You've got it! In fact I would guess that your ideas are better and more logical then Benchleys. As I say if you're looking for anything expect a way to spend some time, please look elsewhere. There are millions of books at amazon.com surely you can find something better.

It seems like this book had drawn a fair bit of criticism, and it's true that it pales in comparison to Jaws, but making that comparison is in itself the wrong way to approach Creature. Looking at the other reviews, it seems that the people who gave this one high scores picked it up with fewer expectations, and that's how I recommend you approach it. Don't compare, just enjoy it.

Benchley's writing is superbly smooth throughout. He makes writing look easy, a trait he shares with Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and the rest of the best. Let yourself be carried along by the story and the hours will fly by. For my money, it's a worthwhile ride. The only reason I'm knocking a star off is that this book would have benefited from being longer, with more space allowed for character development and sub-plot. Perhaps the ending is a little too neat, as well.

Some have criticized the concept of the creature as being unbelievable, but, being an avid SF and Fantasy fan, I had no problem in suspending my disbelief. Nazis created a super-predator? Ok. I can roll with that.

If you can, too, check out Creature. If not, check out Benchley's other work. :)

This novel was a great book. Wonderful plot. lots of suspense. You felt sad for the people who died because Peter gave you so much info about their lives. And you feel so sad for the poor sea lions that get eaten. This is a real addicting book.

The only complaint is the ending.

God, all of Benchleys endings are strange.

I mean, the thing was blown to bits!
dont all his books end that way?

And the thing isnt a shark. its more like a half human monster. The only reason i can think that he named it white shark is because the scientist, Simon Chase, was studying a white shark. But aside from a few minor srew ups, its a good read.

I read Peter Benchley's Creature which is the same thing as White Shark and I think it is one of the best books I've ever read. I loved the story line and even the informational stuff on history. The action sequences were incredable as well. I'd give this book more than 5 stars.