Beast

Benchley's portrayal of the creature feels both terrifying and believable. I'm curious if real animal behavior influenced his writing or if it was purely imaginative.

There were parts where the story seemed to pause, but I wonder if that was meant to heighten the suspense or if it could have been tighter.

The vast, open water made the characters' plight feel even more desperate. Did the author aim to emphasize the ocean as a symbol of the unknown and danger?