Shark Heart: A Love Story
Written by Emily Habeck
Narrated by Karissa Vacker, Shaun Taylor-Corbett and Soneela Nankani
4/5
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About this audiobook
A USA TODAY Bestseller
A Booklist Editor’s Choice
A Goodreads Choice Award Nominee
A “beautifully written” (Anthony Doerr, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of All the Light We Cannot See) debut novel of marriage, motherhood, metamorphosis, and letting go, this intergenerational love story begins with newlyweds Wren and her husband, Lewis—a man who, over the course of nine months, transforms into a great white shark.
For Lewis and Wren, their first year of marriage is also their last. A few weeks after their wedding, Lewis receives a rare diagnosis. He will retain most of his consciousness, memories, and intellect, but his physical body will gradually turn into a great white shark. As Lewis develops the features and impulses of one of the most predatory creatures in the ocean, his complicated artist’s heart struggles to make peace with his unfulfilled dreams.
At first, Wren internally resists her husband’s fate. Is there a way for them to be together after Lewis changes? Then, a glimpse of Lewis’s developing carnivorous nature activates long-repressed memories for Wren, whose story vacillates between her childhood living on a houseboat in Oklahoma, her time with her college ex-girlfriend, and her unusual friendship with a woman pregnant with twin birds. Woven throughout this “heart-wringing” (Adam Roberts, internationally bestselling author of Salt) novel is the story of Wren’s mother, Angela, who becomes pregnant with Wren at fifteen in an abusive relationship amidst her parents’ crumbling marriage. In the present, all of Wren’s grief eventually collides, and she is forced to make an impossible choice.
A sweeping love story that is at once lyrical and funny, airy and visceral, Shark Heart is an unforgettable, gorgeous novel about life’s perennial questions, the fragility of memories, finding joy amidst grief, and creating a meaningful life. This daring debut marks the arrival of a wildly talented new writer abounding with originality, humor, and heart.
Emily Habeck
Emily Habeck is an alumna of SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts, where she received a BFA in theatre, as well as Vanderbilt Divinity School and Vanderbilt’s Peabody College. She is from Ardmore, Oklahoma. Shark Heart is her first novel.
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Reviews for Shark Heart
409 ratings14 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a magical and captivating read. The writing is beautiful and the story takes unexpected turns, evoking a range of emotions from tragedy to joy. While some readers found the language to be a bit forced at times, they appreciated the author's effort. The book explores deep topics and sparks meaningful discussions. Overall, readers highly recommend this unique and touching love story.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I finished this book, however I had decided about halfway through that it would be a DNF. I finished it because hey, “why not I’m halfway through.” It was not my typical style of reading, and I tried to remember that, but it was slightly all over the place. It’s not one that I would buy for a trophy.
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Strange & weird. a genre I’ll pass on in the future. Ugh.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/53.5*
This had its moments. There were times when I felt a rise of emotions, but I couldn't suspend my belief for so long. Magical realism is not my forte. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/53.5 stars, I don't know...the book don't catch me at all, it's just ok for me
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wonderfully strange and touching. Loved the writing, and the characters were well developed..
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was lovely, touches on some dark topics in a kind of wonky way, I just read this after losing someone close to me and I thought it was actually very touching.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I was wary of this book just from the idea. But I kept hearing great reviews. Hmmm. So like the cat I finally had to give in and open it up! Believe when I say don’t start this book on a busy day it will consume you. The words are like magic whispering to you of things you never considered normal before but you are believing with every word as commonplace! There is no hype in the writing, the beauty is that the magic is presented so quietly that you believe the unknown heretofore as common knowledge and just keep devouring the pages. There was some very hard topics addressed in this novel that you will ruminate over long after you put the book down. Many of which would lead to so wonderful discussion and/or arguments! Depending on your perspectives!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was a different kind of love story but it was definitely original and sad
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved this book and the audiobook was amazing! Definitely would recommend!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Este o carte excepțională!!! Merită citită și recitată pentru a învăța din greșeli.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wow, not really a fantasy romance. It's about connections and love and letting go. I was confused about the author's choice regarding the order of the story. But still a wonderful read. I'll definitely be recommending to others.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5this magical book runs the gamut of human emotions. from tragedy to absurdist humor, heart break, frustration, tenderness and joy. I want more of this world!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The story kept taking me places I didn’t expect to go, and it was lovely, sad, and also very sweet. A few times I thought the language tried a little bit too hard, but I would rather have that than not try hard enough.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wonderful writing, such a novel concept / metaphor. Really enjoyed this one, despite the fact I am not into fantasy / non-reality books.