Jaws 2 by Hank Searls

 

(pb; 1978: loosely linked movie tie-in novel. Sequel to Peter Benchley's Jaws.)

Review

Caveat: possible (mini-)spoilers in this review.

Story: a year after the shark attacks (called “The Trouble” by Amity citizens), a local female shark impregnated by the one in the first book, follows oceanic currents back to the tragedy-beleaguered town, and a new cycle of nautical terror begins.

Searl’s well-written, entertaining sequel expands on the themes, characters, and events of Peter Benchley’s 1974 novel rather than the stripped-down film version of Jaws. Like Jaws, the book and film versions of Jaws 2 are considerably different from each other─and separate entities, despite their common elements. This first book sequel to Benchley’s work is a good beach read, one worth owning.

Followed by Hank Searls’s Jaws:The Revenge.

Differences between Searl’s novel and the Jeannot Szwarc-helmed movie include:

The book is grittier, darker, and has more gore than its filmic counterpart, and the shark is more sympathetic in the book, as she’s pregnant and starving (something that’s not mentioned in the movie, which treats the shark as another random stroke of bad luck for Amity). The book’s backstories also make the second shark’s return more believable.

In the film, Martin Brody knows about the new shark early on. In the book, he suspects there might be one, but is not given proof of it until near the end.

Searls expands on Benchley’s mafia/corruption subplot, with a summer-tourist regular, Shuffles Moscotti─big-time gangster─quietly, through illegal channels, investing in an Amity casino that could save the town from economic ruin, a downward trend started by the first shark. Moscotti, through his actions, is a major character in the book. The film version of Jaws doesn’t mention Moscotti or the casino.

Another character, Charlie Jepps─baby seal-shooting tourist cop from Flushing, New York─is only in the book. (Seems he didn’t know about the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, which dictates a yearlong imprisonment and a “twenty grand” penalty fine.)

In the film, the water-skiing tourist (a woman) and the boat driver (a woman) are killed by the shark attack and resulting boat explosion. In the book, it’s the boat driver is a man, the skier his wife.

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The streamlined sequel film, which eschews at least half of the book’s story (to its cinematic detriment), was released stateside on June 16, 1978. Jeannot Szwarc directed it, from a screenplay by Carl Gottlieb and Howard Sackler.

Roy Scheider reprised his role of Martin Brody (from Jaws, 1975). Lorraine Gary reprised her role of Ellen Brody. Mark Gruner played Mike Brody, the Brodys’ adolescent son. Marc Gilpin played Sean Brody, their younger son.

Jeffrey Kramer reprised his role of Len Hendricks. Murray Hamilton reprised his role of Mayor Larry Vaughn. Joseph Mascolo played Peterson.

Keith Gordon played Doug, the book-nerdy friend of the popular teens. Donna Wilkes played the often-screaming Jackie, the bad-influence girl who’s caught Mike Brody’s attention.