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

A New York Times Editors’ Choice
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.

©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)

Beautiful in a thoughtful unique way

Love how the author painted this world. I would highly recommend not judging it by its unique cover or bizarre plot it is a deep felt story that you can’t help but feel connected to.

Cute and weird and perfect

I loved this book so much. I plan to re-listen soon because I can’t stop thinking about it!

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.

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.

Unexpectedly gorgeous and compelling read

From the very first word to the last, I couldn’t put this exquisitely written book down. It is a beautiful exploration of love, loss, and growth with a dash of wonder and whimsy mixed in.

Wanted to like it.

I like the strange concept, and I liked the first half of the book. The second half dragged for bit, got a little better, but the ending didn’t stick for me.

A sad love story

Not all love stories are happy. This story was so sad although strange. One character suffered so much loss in her life yet somehow finds joy.