Newlyweds face the unimaginable in this epic tale about marriage, motherhood, and enduring love.

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 a college ex-girlfriend, and her unusual friendship with a woman pregnant with twin birds. Woven throughout this bold 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.

Published by Simon & Schuster
on August 8, 2023

Review:

It’s been a while since I’ve read a magical realism book. This one caught me at just the right time and was just what I needed. This was a stunning and captivating novel that genuinely blew me away. From start to finish, the beautiful writing style and unique storyline had me hooked, and I couldn’t put the book down.

The story follows newlyweds Wren and Lewis, whose first year of marriage takes an unexpected turn when Lewis is diagnosed with a rare condition. Over time, Lewis transforms physically into a great white shark while retaining his consciousness and memories. As Lewis grapples with his newfound identity, Wren is faced with the difficult task of coming to terms with her husband’s transformation and the implications it has for their relationship and their future.

While going on this journey with Wren and Lewis, we also get flashbacks to Wren’s relationship with her mother and her turbulent childhood, which sheds a lot of light on Wren’s resilient spirit and her determination to keep Lewis in her life regardless of his condition.

Habek’s writing is beautiful. Her prose is poetic and evocative, drawing readers in and immersing them in the crazy world she has created. The way she brings the characters and their emotions to life is truly remarkable. I was deeply invested in the journey of both Wren and Lewis, feeling their joy, pain, heartache, and everything in between.

The novel’s format is intriguing. It’s told through short chapters – some of them only a paragraph or two – with some scenes written as scenes from a play (this makes more sense once you read the book and get to know Lewis a bit better.)

The book explores love, loss, and the complexities of relationships. As Lewis becomes more and more shark-like, Wren is forced to confront her past, uncovering memories and secrets that have shaped her life. The intergenerational aspect of the story adds another layer of depth.

The themes of transformation and acceptance are beautifully interwoven throughout the narrative. Habek skillfully delves into what it means to be human, questioning our notions of identity and the lengths we go to hold onto our dreams and who we are as individuals. While the premise may seem fantastical, the emotions and struggles that the characters face are incredibly real and relatable.

Despite its serious themes, Habek infuses the story with moments of humor, adding a balance to the more poignant moments. It is this delicate balance between the humorous and the profound that makes the novel so engaging and enjoyable.

Overall, Shark Heart is a breathtaking debut that left me all up in my feels. Habek’s writing and the format she uses are nothing short of extraordinary, and it’s heightened by her ability to create complex and compelling characters that are incredibly relatable, even if the world she has created seems a bit far-fetched. If the “man transforming into a shark thing” is too out there for you, all you have to do is open your mind a bit. When you think about it, Lewis’ transformation into a shark could very well be a metaphor for Lewis becoming an alcoholic and his entire persona changing in front of Wren or him developing a debilitating disease that would eventually take him from her. If you can suspend your disbelief you’ll be in for a very beautiful ride.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates beautiful storytelling, thought-provoking themes, and a touch of whimsy. If you like magical realism, then this is definitely for you. Shark Heart is a standout novel that will stay with me for a while. It’s one of my favorites so far this year.