The Deep

Rating:
Summary: Decent suspense story
Review: "The Deep" has all the trappings of a great suspense story: exotic locations, dangerous cults, buried treasure, scary wildlife, etc. But somehow it only half delivers on its promise. I don't mind suspending my belief for this kind of wild stuff, as long as the characters are sufficiently believable in context. That's where this book falls short. Frankly, I did not believe that the characters would really have acted the way they did in this book.

**SPOILER WARNING** I mean, when a woman is attacked by a voodoo cult, she's gonna do more than just cry a bit and then say "Well, I guess it wasn't *so* bad..." **END OF SPOILER**

Also, unlike in his "Jaws," the writing here seems strangely casual. I never really felt a sense of urgency in the writing, which is not a good sign in a book that's supposed to be a thriller.

Still, all in all the book is entertaining enough (except for the rushed ending) and isn't bad for a quick read. If you liked "Jaws" you'll enjoy the atmosphere of this book as well.

Incidentally, anyone who likes this book should seek out some of the old CBS Radio Mystery theater shows. This book could have been an episode in the series: the 1970s setting, the thrills and chills, etc.

Rating:
Summary: A book that deserves better credit!
Review: . . .and I enjoy, for the most part, Mr. Benchley's writing. "The Deep" is not his best work: it's not as scary (or well-written) as "Jaws"; it's not as hysterically funny as "Q-Clearance" (in fact, it's not funny at all); and it's not as moving as "The Girl of the Sea of Cortez".

NEVERTHELESS, it's an engaging, adventurous read, involving (more or less) ordinary people, thrust into a bizarre mystery, but with a believable climax.

It's one I'll probably re-read.

Rating:
Summary: I enjoyed this book. . .
Review: . . .and I enjoy, for the most part, Mr. Benchley's writing. "The Deep" is not his best work: it's not as scary (or well-written) as "Jaws"; it's not as hysterically funny as "Q-Clearance" (in fact, it's not funny at all); and it's not as moving as "The Girl of the Sea of Cortez".

NEVERTHELESS, it's an engaging, adventurous read, involving (more or less) ordinary people, thrust into a bizarre mystery, but with a believable climax.

It's one I'll probably re-read.

Rating:
Summary: Don't expect Jaws!
Review: By that, I mean, although this book is well written and entertaining, it is definately not Jaws! So, don't buy this book expecting to read something as frightening and gripping as Peter Benchley's Jaws which as you know, was a blockbuster book! The Deep, although sometimes slow in sections, is a story about two people (a man and a woman) who are deep sea diving for treasure. While on the ocean bed, searching for artifacts which they've heard are supposed to be down there, they accidently come across thousands of little glass vials which seem to be filled with some kind of fluid. From there, the story is more of an action movie between the good guys and the bad guys. Yes, it is written in the same Benchley style as his other books but it just doesn't have the kind of 'pull' that Jaw's did. Even so, I would still recommend it as I would all of Benchley's books.

Rating:
Summary: Don't expect Jaws!
Review: By that, I mean, although this book is well written and entertaining, it is definately not Jaws! So, don't buy this book expecting to read something as frightening and gripping as Peter Benchley's Jaws which as you know, was a blockbuster book! The Deep, although sometimes slow in sections, is a story about two people (a man and a woman) who are deep sea diving for treasure. While on the ocean bed, searching for artifacts which they've heard are supposed to be down there, they accidently come across thousands of little glass vials which seem to be filled with some kind of fluid. From there, the story is more of an action movie between the good guys and the bad guys. Yes, it is written in the same Benchley style as his other books but it just doesn't have the kind of 'pull' that Jaw's did. Even so, I would still recommend it as I would all of Benchley's books.

Rating:
Summary: Superb, Yet Not Long Enough
Review: From the author that brought you Jaws, Benchley takes you deep into the ocean for an intense, terrifying adventure that incriminates the mind with violent ideas, infecting each inch of your entire body. Although the book was an excellent horrifc tale of the deep sea, it seemed to end to quick. It all came together very well, but when I was finished I was looking for more. Add another 100 pages or so, and you would be a definite five stars!

Rating:
Summary: My paperback copy is worn to tatters!
Review: I was actually hoping to order a new copy...this novel has the unfortunate baggage of being in the eternal shadow of its predecessor, "Jaws"...and that's a genuine shame. "The Deep" reeks with authenticity. Benchley is in his element here. I was deeply enthralled with all the historical narrative given by Treece...fascinating stuff! I agree with a couple of other reviews; the story ended too glibly. The rich detail offered here...Benchley is part of that rare breed of author who manages to instruct while he entertains ( and without being remotely didactic, unlike a popular "technothriller" author I could name! ). The Deep actually transports me to a remote island. I get in the mood for this yarn, and for two days I simply cannot put it down! With every sucessive read, I find myself hoping the ending will turn out favorably for our characters (!)...how many novels can lay claim to having that degree of staying power? Forget the lackluster movie adaptation; interestingly, this novel is far superior, while I've always felt Speilberg's rendering of "Jaws" almost surpassed the novel of that name by this same author! Approach "The Deep" with the expectation of a good "treasure hunt" story versus an epic sea monster tale, and you won't be disappointed ( that is, if you can obtain a copy ).

Rating:
Summary: My paperback copy is worn to tatters!
Review: I was actually hoping to order a new copy...this novel has the unfortunate baggage of being in the eternal shadow of its predecessor, "Jaws"...and that's a genuine shame. "The Deep" reeks with authenticity. Benchley is in his element here. I was deeply enthralled with all the historical narrative given by Treece...fascinating stuff! I agree with a couple of other reviews; the story ended too glibly. The rich detail offered here...Benchley is part of that rare breed of author who manages to instruct while he entertains ( and without being remotely didactic, unlike a popular "technothriller" author I could name! ). The Deep actually transports me to a remote island. I get in the mood for this yarn, and for two days I simply cannot put it down! With every sucessive read, I find myself hoping the ending will turn out favorably for our characters (!)...how many novels can lay claim to having that degree of staying power? Forget the lackluster movie adaptation; interestingly, this novel is far superior, while I've always felt Speilberg's rendering of "Jaws" almost surpassed the novel of that name by this same author! Approach "The Deep" with the expectation of a good "treasure hunt" story versus an epic sea monster tale, and you won't be disappointed ( that is, if you can obtain a copy ).

Rating:
Summary: Probably would make a better movie than a book.
Review: The thing about the Deep is that you can't let yourself get wrapped up in the idea that you need to be terrified to enjoy Peter Benchley. What THE DEEP is is this book about a shipwrcek laden with thousands of ampules of drugs. And our three characters, one of them a lady, new for Benchley, are trying to bring them all up at the whims of drug lord Cloche. But there's also treasure down there too. A lot. Its fun to read becasue it appeals to this, childish, almost immature sense of adventure in us. There's a lot of diving down into the deep for treasure and drugs. A whole lot of diving. Its simply fun becasue at times it is complicated, but mostly, its just simple diving with lots of adventure and danger.END

Rating:
Summary: Deep offer plenty of adventure and thrills.
Review: Two shipwrecks, two priceless cargoes, two teams of divers working against one another to claim treasure. One team is willing to kill to get it. Peter Benchley's follow up to Jaws is a crackling good adventure novel, but those expecting another sea monster yarn might be disappointed. Don't be, this one is a keeper. Recommended.