Book Review: Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

I find myself drawn to weird and wonderful books. Those that offer fantastical elements or bizarre premises that feel natural when you sink into the story. This is precisely what Shark Heart is. The story is set up in the weeks following Lewis and Wren’s wedding, where Lewis begins to notice strange growths and changing physical features. He soon receives a rare diagnosis where his mind and memory will stay intact, but his physical body will gradually turn into a great white shark.

While these types of stories intrigue me, I can also see how this kind of premise can turn others off. So, I’m here to convince you to give Shark Heart a go. Above all, Shark Heart is what it says on the cover: A Love Story. Lewis and Wren’s relationship is beautifully depicted, offering snippets of the early stages of their relationship, as well as the present day where they grapple with the unknown and the little time they have left together before Lewis’ formation is complete. The story is one of grief and sacrifice, making it an emotional read. But this is only one part of the story. Habeck takes the novel in an unexpected direction, as we learn more of Wren’s past.

Habeck’s writing is breathtaking throughout the novel. It is in part structured like a play, fitting in well with Lewis’ playwright aspirations and job as a high school theatre teacher. Even outside of its play-like structure, the narrative itself sometimes reads like a kind of production, with the story often told through short vignettes as if staging a scene. It’s beautifully crafted and something I haven’t seen done quite like this before. However, this aspect I loved about Shark Heart was also a slight drawback for me. I found the brevity of the writing and narrative structure meant that I didn’t quite get the depth I needed from both Lewis and Wren as characters. Habeck sets them both up as such interesting and layered characters, but I came away feeling as though we only really touched the surface.

I really enjoyed my time with Shark Heart. It’s unique and simultaneously beautiful and tragic. I’ve heard it described as an allegory, which only makes me more compelled to discuss and unpack it with other readers – which is always a sign of a good book.

Rating: 4/5

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