JAWS was a formative film for me and I have always thought Robert Shaw was such a natural talent taken too soon. To say I was excited to listen to this audiobook is an understatement. However, it focuses a lot more on Shaw’s family than Shaw himself which makes it an interesting read but not giving me everything I wanted.

Shaw’s family history from learning about his father to what they survived through during the war and how he got into acting is absolutely fascinating. I really enjoyed the conversations the author wrote, making the Shaw family feel alive and like you are in the room through these events.

The book also gives great detail on the infamous speech Shaw gives in JAWS and how it came to be. It was hooked on every word through those chapters.

Overall, I am yearning for more moments with Shaw on set and more about his own personal struggles like his father before him. This is definitely worth a listen as the audiobook gives different characters real life.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for an advanced audiobook copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was an interesting biography written by Robert Shaws nephew not only about his uncle but also the wider Shaw family. I have to admit to recognising some but not all of the actors work so I was intrigued to find out more.

I feel Christopher Shaw Myers has written a fair and balanced account of a man who was a fantastic actor and writer despite his struggles with alcoholism. I have to be honest and say that I was actually far more interested in the life of his sister and best friend Joanna, and his formidable mother Mrs. Shaw, perhaps fans will disagree with me. There were lots of great snippets of family lore, detail of the families early years and throughout. The time line could be a bit confusing in parts, but overall I didn’t enjoy this book.

I didn’t love the narration I must be honest, but I didn’t come away having learned a great deal about the family. I think I’m more inclined to enjoy an autobiography, I like to hear it from the horses mouth so to speak.

Huge thanks to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧