The Book of Quint Paperback – 15 Nov. 2023

It’s no secret that ‘Jaws’ is my favourite movie. And, of course, the Indianapolis Speech by Quint is probably my favourite movie monologue.Quint is such an interesting character – as most of the characters in the movie are, which is one of the reason why it’s such a great movie; it’s great in spite of the shark rather than because of it. It’s only natural, therefore, that many ‘Jaws’ fans have often wanted to know more about Quint. He deserves his own prequal. I had even thought about writing this myself – as I mentioned in an episode of the Let’s Jaws For A Minute podcast.In the end, I never got properly started on the project as I was behind schedule with writing the next in my Iwakura series of novels, behind schedule on writing a book about Frankie Goes To Hollywood fans, and also, perhaps most importantly, because someone else had done their own prequel book about Quint. Of course, just because one person has written a version of Quint’s life prior to 1974 doesn’t mean that someone can’t do a different version, but I’m not sure another version is warranted. Especially after reading Ryan Dacko’s.The fact that I had thought that I would write a book about Quint meant that there were times, especially early on in the book, when I was thinking about how I would have done things differently. But, as I got into the book further, this feeling drifted away, and, in so doing, my enjoyment of the book increased further.The book is split into three main parts. Part one covers the Indianapolis and Quint being in San Francisco after the war and tells the story from Quint’s point of view. Part two covers the first part of his time on Amity and is told from the point of view of Hershel, Quint’s right hand man. Part three covers the next part of Quint’s time on Amity and is told from the point of view of Quint. The stand out part of the book for me was the second part – a part that had less detailed shark attacks and more detail on Quint himself, paralleling ‘Jaws’ itself.Given the significance of the Indianapolis Speech, it was inevitable that the book would go into some detail about what happened that night and in the days that followed. But, for me, it went on for too long (about a quarter of the book) and there was just too many shark attacks and too much gore. It wasn’t until Quint gets to San Francisco that I really felt that the book had settled down. Perhaps if there had been something of Quint’s life prior to the Indianapolis and diving headlong into this shark-ploitation would have been less jarring, I don’t know.By the middle of the book I truly appreciated just how much work Dacko must have put into researching and putting together the story. I realised that this is something that I just would not have had the time to be able to do myself. Once I realised this, I could let go of any remaining thoughts about what I would do differently with the story, and just fully appreciate what Dacko has done with the story. And with Quint himself.In terms of Quint, there were a number of lines that stood out for me that I liked, perhaps because I find them relatable in some way.‘but he now realized what scared him even more – failure.’‘Quint tossed back another two codeine tablets, but the pain was not physical. They would have no effect.’‘Some questions should never be asked.’‘Every man’s body lets him down. It’s only a matter of time. Some sooner, some later.’‘Time to ponder what should’ve, could’ve, and would’ve been your life… Time for so many damn questions. Second guessing it all. Replaying your mistakes for hours upon hours. Enough to drive you insane.’‘It’s all a lie, Hershel. Time heals nothing. It only makes it worse.’‘How many more years do we have left in this life before we must meet all those we let down?’‘A man’s darkest thoughts are his own business.’‘What will be the last thing I see as I leave this planet?’By the end of the book Quint is 52 – the same age as I am now. Perhaps that’s another reason I resonated so much with Quint at times despite our very different life experiences. The wonder about what will be the last thing I see before death, and that it could be a painful memory or the face or name of someone I would like to forget, is something that I often think about.While ‘The Book of Quint’ is a brand new story, it is, of course, born out of ‘Jaws’ and Dacko has done a great job in ticking off most, if not all, aspects of Quint’s backstory that get referred to in ‘Jaws’. There are also some other great Easter Eggs linking the book to the ‘Jaws’ franchise (i.e., not just the first film) and even how ‘Jaws’ was made (if my memory of how the pier scene was made is correct).I am sure more and more ‘Jaws’ fans will be picking up this book and I am sure that, like me, they won’t be disappointed.Also I hope that this book gets turned into a movie. Perhaps, like the original ‘Jaws’ movie it won’t use all elements of the book (I think some of the graphic details in the first and third parts would need to be toned down) – the audiobook I have just started listening to for the first time on the back of reading ‘The Book of Quint’ – but so long as it keeps the details about Quint, the man, the legend, it could be a great movie. Especially if they get Ian Shaw, son of Robert Shaw, who played his father so well in the play ‘The Shark is Broken‘, to take on the role of Quint.Finally, a word about the artwork – it’s brilliant. And as good as it looked as an eBook, I will be getting a printed copy of the book when, probably in the not too distant future, I am in the mood to read the book again.Farewell and adieu.

Well written book caught the character Quint spot on.His pass was believable and it read very well. I could not put it down.

Brilliant book

Ryan Dacko has instantly become a literary giant with his first novel that expands the Jaws universe in a way that no one else ever has. Not only is his level of detail stunning but his writing styles (there are more than one in this book) are breathtaking and I haven't blasted through a book so quickly since I was a teenager. Every single page makes you want more of this story of our beloved Quint as his backstory unfolds in such a way that watching Jaws will never be the same again. It's a prequel (to the movie, rather than the novel) that stands on its own, no doubt but also enriches and adds context to what many see as the greatest movie of all.If any novel I've ever read needs to be a movie, it's this one. I would love to work on that production as a set designer, dresser and help bring to life what Dacko has written in this book.This book will always be compared with the other recent book about Quint's earlier years but having read both of them, Dacko's The Book of Quint is not only in a different league, it is a work that stands out as a labour of love with an infectious quality that leaves you wanting to know more and more about this expanded Jaws universe.Surely, The Book of Brody has to follow...

As an avid fan of JAWS, both the film and novel, I was hesitant to read this book because of the many sequels, tie ins and countless behind the scenes books. In fact I borrowed a copy of the limited hard back edition prior to the official release from a fellow Jaws enthusiast. To say I was blown away was an understatement. The moment I started reading I knew this book was what all Jaws fans had been waiting for. Finally a book written by a jaws fan for Jaws fans. Every chapter strikes a chord. Every little nod to the movie brought a smile to my face and spurred me on to see where the story of Quint would take me and it didn't disappoint once. Needless to say I bought the paperback and read it again. After decades of collecting Jaws memorabilia and reading as many books on the subject as I could, I can honestly say this is one of the most important books to be released into the Jaws world. As a stand alone novel this is beautifully written and captures the imagination, regardless of whether the reader is a Jaws fan. To a Jaws fan it's perfection.

I am a huge Jaws fan and stumbled upon this while searching for books for a long haul flight.What an amazing back story to the Quint character from Jaws. I can honestly say one of the best books I have ever read and I read a lot.If you loved Robert Shaw's characterisation of Quint and the story he begins to tell to Brody and Hooper aboard The Orca you will love this book.