Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Random House (1991), Edition: 1st, 350 pages
Description
"Makes the shark from "Jaws" look like a pet goldfish . . ." USA Weekend Straight from the cutting edge of science and the logs of ancient mariners comes an immense horror -- a creature that rises up from the well of an ocean gone mad with an insatiable hunger and an endless lust to kill. One man leads a harrowing struggle to defeat the beast amid a threatened Bermuda paradise. His name is Whip Darling, a down-and-out sea dog who doesn't know where he'll get his next meal -- or whether it will get him first. From the Paperback edition.
User reviews
LibraryThing member lefty33
This is my favorite fiction book by Peter Benchley. Perhaps because I love oceans and giant squid. The story follows a line similar to Jaws--boats mysteriously disappearing, strange signs left on remains, and the suspense of what is waiting in the deep. I especially enjoyed the occasional chapter
Also in tradition with Benchley's other works, the book promoted protecting the environment and not wasting the sea's resources. I appreciate that Benchley encourages such practices through his writing.
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written from the beast's perspective. Also in tradition with Benchley's other works, the book promoted protecting the environment and not wasting the sea's resources. I appreciate that Benchley encourages such practices through his writing.
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LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
All's calm in Bermuda until a massive squid begins attacking boats and killing people.
Creepy and fast-paced, this thriller never lagged. Although I had to suspend my disbelief pretty far to buy the squid-intent-on-killing-just-because-of-rage angle, a gruff sea cowboy of a main character helped to
Creepy and fast-paced, this thriller never lagged. Although I had to suspend my disbelief pretty far to buy the squid-intent-on-killing-just-because-of-rage angle, a gruff sea cowboy of a main character helped to
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get me into the story. Benchley obviously knows the sea and includes lots of detail to make the setting and characters come alive. Show Less
LibraryThing member Tasker
easy, interesting reading; short chapters (didn't have to "work" to finish it) - these are good things; weak, predictable ending, though
LibraryThing member seldombites
Though a little formulaic, Beast is a riveting read. With plenty of suspense and death, there is rarely a dull moment. The giant squid is a real animal, yet is still unfamiliar enough to provide plenty of thrills. This book will have you thinking twice about ever entering the ocean again.
LibraryThing member othersam
Benchley's original 'nature bites back' classic JAWS is still a cracking read. But for my money BEAST is even better: the chapters told from the giant squid's point of view are just AWESOME.
LibraryThing member andyray
I like the omnisient POV when speaking of thge beast and its movements in the deep. I wonder if the whole book could have been done like that. Such a POV is what creates the fear and it might be even more fearful if the POV was moved to the beast itself.
LibraryThing member Bridgey
Have read several of Benchleys novels and have never been disappointed... With this in mind I got hold of Beast.
Firstly I'll say that this book has been awarded 5 stars and deserves an extra one as well. The main basis of the book is that man has overfished the seas around Bermuda and upset the
For the novel Benchley has created numerous strong willed characters such as a vengeful father, a self important Doctor, a sea loving Fisherman, a proud navy captain and a sea expert looking to fulfill his lifes ambition. This mixture really helps to carry off the larger than life plot, and believe me there are more than enough twists to keep you gasping along (including the ending)....
During the book Benchley even manages to have an inside grin at the success of Jaws and makes a comparison in public reaction to a film and the 'real life' depicted in the novel.
The chapters written from the Beasts point of view are amazing and really add so much to the atmosphere that Benchley seems to so easily create.
Rarely do I come across an author that has such a depth of knowledge of his subject matter. The book, as with most of his others, is filled with an encyclopedia of facts and figures of marine life. You can really tell how much he cares for the sea and his passion is infectious.
If you are not familiar with Benchley, put him on your 'to do' list for this year. And if your looking for somewhere to start, Beast is a great place.
Firstly I'll say that this book has been awarded 5 stars and deserves an extra one as well. The main basis of the book is that man has overfished the seas around Bermuda and upset the
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balance of nature. A giant squid has therefore come to be found in the seas and boy is it hungry.... It is left to local sailor, Whip Darling to unwillingly oversee it's destructionFor the novel Benchley has created numerous strong willed characters such as a vengeful father, a self important Doctor, a sea loving Fisherman, a proud navy captain and a sea expert looking to fulfill his lifes ambition. This mixture really helps to carry off the larger than life plot, and believe me there are more than enough twists to keep you gasping along (including the ending)....
During the book Benchley even manages to have an inside grin at the success of Jaws and makes a comparison in public reaction to a film and the 'real life' depicted in the novel.
The chapters written from the Beasts point of view are amazing and really add so much to the atmosphere that Benchley seems to so easily create.
Rarely do I come across an author that has such a depth of knowledge of his subject matter. The book, as with most of his others, is filled with an encyclopedia of facts and figures of marine life. You can really tell how much he cares for the sea and his passion is infectious.
If you are not familiar with Benchley, put him on your 'to do' list for this year. And if your looking for somewhere to start, Beast is a great place.
Show Less
Subjects
Original language
English
Original publication date
1991
Physical description
350 p.; 9.5 inches
ISBN
0679403558 / 9780679403555