4.25-4.5 Stars

Just in time for the upcoming summer season, a worthy biography of the infamous Robert Shaw to accompany my annual Jaws marathon. Written by a relative and including mini bios on the entire Shaw family as a frame of reference (I enjoyed learning about Joanna's life just as much as I did her older brother's), I truly relished this work. It's realistically tragic in some sections, but overwhelmingly thoughtful and enduring. So many interesting experiences and achievements during tumultuous times are intertwined here. The book has inspired me to go back and watch some my favorite Robert Shaw films, view others for the first time, and explore some of his writing (beyond the legendary Jaws soliloquy).

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An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

If you haven’t watched Jaws, you haven’t lived! I’m a 70s child and it’s one of those films that is a regular watch. I didn’t know much about the life and times of Robert Shaw, so this book intrigued me. As we reach the 50-year anniversary of the ‘Jaws’ movie, it is a prime time for this book.
The book is written well and and keeps your attention. It’s split into years of the Shaw family life. Every chapter serves up information that makes sense of the man that Robert Shaw was. We learn about his parents and the life they led. We learn about his siblings and their relationships. We learn about his love for acting along with the successes and failures along the way.
The book delves into his early years, from his childhood in London to life on the remote, rugged Orkney Islands with a strict mother, a doctor father, and several siblings. His sister Joey (Joanna) was particularly close to both Robert and the author's mother.
Shaw’s journey through RADA, his rise in theatre, and his work as a playwright all highlight his undeniable talent. He thrived in the spotlight, using his sharp wit and brash personality to full effect.
A part of the book was naturally devoted to the the chaotic filming of “Jaws”, especially the infamous USS Indianapolis monologue. The story of Shaw and a similarly inebriated Thornton Wilder hashing out the speech in a bar on Martha’s Vineyard is both fascinating and fitting. Alcohol loomed large in Shaw’s life. The memoir frequently references his reliance on drinking, including Shaw’s own words: “I need it to act.”
Overall, it’s a riveting read. From chapter one where the opening line is “Mrs Shaw, did you murder your husband?” – you know you’re in for a wild ride. The book shares life, love, movies, plays and behind the scenes moments that are precious memories. That’s not forgetting the stories of how Robert's mum and sister met Richard Dreyfus and Roy Scheider.
Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read it!

I grew up in the 70's and Jaws was and is a yearly watch for me. This memoir by Shaw's nephew Christopher Shaw Myers is a nice read though I question "why now" as Robert has been dead since 1978. We read about his childhood in London then moving to rural , rugged Orkney Islands with his strict mother and Dr father and 4 or 5 siblings....Joey (Joanne) being the closest to Robert and the authors mother.
Through his RADA schooling in London to theater plays and playwright Shaw loves the spotlight and uses his brash, caustic personality to his advantage. The parts of the book that bothered me the most were the elaborate conversations that the author was not present for or could any of these conversations be verbatim. The favorite part for me was the disasterous shoot filming Jaws. And how the famous USS Indianapolis speech was written by a drunk Shaw (and a drunk Thornton Wilder) hashing out the storyline inn a bar on Martha's vineyard. Like father, like son both Shaws had a overwhelming problem with alcohol with the author pointing out many times quoting Robert Shaw himself as "I need it to act". All in all a good read. Thank you publishers and NetGalley for the fun read.