Shark Heart

A Love Story

By: Emily Habeck

Narrated by: Karissa Vacker, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Soneela Nankani

Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times Editors’ Choice
USA TODAY Bestseller

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.

©2023 Emily Habeck (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

"Narrators Karissa Vacker, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, and Soneela Nankani breathe life into Habeck's novel, creating a unique and deeply emotional listening experience.... Together, the trio's voices seamlessly weave Habeck's unconventional narrative, exploring themes of love, loss, and transformation. This captivating and unforgettable auditory adventure delves into complexities of the human heart." (AudioFIle)

Interesting, unique story involving mutations

Loved this story and characters. Wonderful portrayal of real life feelings of grief that in some ways reminded me of situations I know such as my friend with an alcoholic mother. Of course in the story it was Wren’s mother going through her animal change but I felt the adolescent Wren mirrored my friend during that part. The narrators were wonderful. Great book!

Love in all its forms.

Love how vivid and strong you could feel each character’s emotions and reality. Loved it was broken into theatrical scenes. Storyline had a unique, creative, and supernatural spin. Didn’t care so much for the current gender fad integrated throughout the book.

Weird and Wonderful!

This book was highly recommended on Bookstagram. I loved it so much. The writing is beautiful. The narration is amazing. Highly, highly recommend.

Unique and Interesting

Unique and interesting story about love, loss, and continuing on. I couldn’t help but relate the mutations to relationships with people who have a mental illness.

Only con was the narration in part three.

Weird but kinda great

Okay… this book was so weird and I really had no desire to read it based on the synopsis. But thennnnnn… I kept seeing all these amazing reviews and I had some Audible credits so I was like what the hell?

I’m glad I did it! It was awesome!

I think the important thing with this book is to view it as a symbolic journey and understand that, of course, it is magical realism. It really made me think about family members and friends who have received life changing diagnoses. There is physically NOTHING we can do with some of the circumstances we are given. And that is devastating. But it’s also kind of beautiful because Wren and Lewis are in love and have to actually live through “in sickness and in health.” It really got me thinking.

I knocked off a couple of stars because I didn’t really enjoy the part with the mom. I just wanted more Lewis and Wren!

I thought I had read some weird ones (hi, A Clockwork Orange) but they really don’t compare to this one.

I hope someone reads this book because if my review!

What an odd premise for a book right? Actually the odd premise if what made me want to read the book. It’s a beautiful tale about love and life, told in a captivating and at times funny way. The characters all feel very real and I think that I will think of this book for a very long time. A book about loss and love, but more importantly the concept of life. Read this book!

Love through genetic disease

While there were many times throughout the book that I was wondering what in the world am I listening/reading. But the overall book and how it portrays life and love with a harsh genetic disease was very well done. Hit all the emotions as a daughter, divorce woman and mom to see love through the disease in so many ways

A love story…

I thought this was a beautiful, well written, lyrical story of young people in love. I enjoyed it immensely. I am not sure the second part of the book was necessary as it told a lot of backstory. The third part wrapped it up nicely into a happy ending. I recommend this story as it’s just such an interesting concept and certainly worth contemplating. My book club is going to read and discuss it. Looking forward to that insight. The characters are lovely and unique. The narrators, perfect.

A truly different kind of live story

I loved this book. I brilliant, weird concept. I wish Part II didn't focus so much on the backstory - it was a bit disjointed and boring, and the main story could have used more time. But overall, I loved it and highly recommend.

Interesting Book

I really enjoyed this usual story about love, loss, grief, and joy. While the story is about mutations, I could see connections to my experience with loved ones who have had serious and/or terminal illnesses.