After the Dragons
Cover of Jaws

Thriller · Horror

Jaws

by Peter Benchley

Bestseller: about 20 million copies (estimate)

3.6 out of 5, from 240 ratings from Hardcover readers

A great white shark begins killing swimmers off a New England resort town, and the police chief wants the beaches closed while the mayor and the businesses push to stay open for the season.

Facts last checked 2026-10-16

First published
1974
Pace
Fast
Length
Medium
Pages
195
Format
Book 1 of 3 in Jaws
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Read this if you want a fast, nasty creature thriller with a lot of small-town politics around the shark.

Skip this if you expect the film's tone; the book has more subplots and bleaker characters.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Death
  • Violence
  • Gore
  • Infidelity

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Animal cruelty
  • Animal death
  • Homophobia
  • Misogyny
  • Grief
  • Racism
  • Rape

Quick answers about Jaws

What is Jaws about?
A great white shark begins killing swimmers off a New England resort town, and the police chief wants the beaches closed while the mayor and the businesses push to stay open for the season.
Who should read Jaws?
Read it if you want a fast, nasty creature thriller with a lot of small-town politics around the shark. Skip it if you expect the film's tone; the book has more subplots and bleaker characters.
How long and how fast is Jaws?
It is a fast-paced, medium read of about 195 pages, first published in 1974.
Does Jaws have content warnings?
Content we flag: Death, Violence, Gore, Infidelity.
Can I borrow Jaws for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Jaws; the borrow button above searches it for you.
What should I read after Jaws?
Readers who liked it often move on to Jurassic Park, Moby-Dick, The Old Man and the Sea.

Where to get it

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