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beccamcdouble's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Truly thought I’d hate this from the first few chapters, ended up devouring it
steph1529's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jojodoug55's review against another edition
5.0
I cried so many times.
Beautifully, heartbreakingly and absurdly human. With allegorical transmogrification in her perspective, Habeck expertly crafts a story that tells of the complexities and profundity—and certainly the absurdities—that comprise the human experience. With multi-layered themes of love and loss (spousal, mother-daughter, father-daughter, sibling, chosen family, friendship), Habeck takes the reader on a journey through the unexpected poetry of life.
Other themes include: mental health, fear, parenthood, grief, illness, change, time, relationships, letting go, joy, hope, art, perspective, possibility...
Also, the ending...! So beautiful. So perfect.
Beautifully, heartbreakingly and absurdly human. With allegorical transmogrification in her perspective, Habeck expertly crafts a story that tells of the complexities and profundity—and certainly the absurdities—that comprise the human experience. With multi-layered themes of love and loss (spousal, mother-daughter, father-daughter, sibling, chosen family, friendship), Habeck takes the reader on a journey through the unexpected poetry of life.
Other themes include: mental health, fear, parenthood, grief, illness, change, time, relationships, letting go, joy, hope, art, perspective, possibility...
Also, the ending...! So beautiful. So perfect.
erinastin's review against another edition
5.0
A lyrically masterful story about love, loss, grief, and transformation. I was bawling my eyes out in public finishing this, yet I could not stop. An incredibly stylistically risky debut that truly stuck the landing. Emily Habeck you have a new fan.
bhnmt61's review against another edition
5.0
George and Wren met almost by accident, but they are immediately attracted to one another. Not long after they marry, George begins to exhibit strange symptoms. They discover that he has a rare disorder that will result in his mutation into a great white shark. The premise is so bizarre that if Shark Heart hadn't come so highly recommended, I would never have believed it could work.
But it does, and it is a story of rare beauty and courage. It's hard not to compare it to Franz Kafka's 1915 novella Metamorphosis, where a young man wakes up to find out he's turned into a giant insect. But in spite of all the parallels, the resulting story is entirely different. Kafka's story is famous for its bizarre depiction of alienation and despair for the main character, but while Habeck ignores none of the pain and suffering of George's transformation, she turns George and Wren's story into one of beauty and hope.
Entirely by accident, I read this immediately following Ann Patchett's new book, Tom Lake. Both books have characters who are deeply involved in a production of Thornton Wilder's classic play Our Town, which was first performed in 1938. I've never seen it, but it's famous enough that I sort of know the general outline. The two books make a thought-provoking reading experience together, and I'm searching around for a copy of the play now. Would be a great book club project if your book club is so inclined.
But it does, and it is a story of rare beauty and courage. It's hard not to compare it to Franz Kafka's 1915 novella Metamorphosis, where a young man wakes up to find out he's turned into a giant insect. But in spite of all the parallels, the resulting story is entirely different. Kafka's story is famous for its bizarre depiction of alienation and despair for the main character, but while Habeck ignores none of the pain and suffering of George's transformation, she turns George and Wren's story into one of beauty and hope.
Entirely by accident, I read this immediately following Ann Patchett's new book, Tom Lake. Both books have characters who are deeply involved in a production of Thornton Wilder's classic play Our Town, which was first performed in 1938. I've never seen it, but it's famous enough that I sort of know the general outline. The two books make a thought-provoking reading experience together, and I'm searching around for a copy of the play now. Would be a great book club project if your book club is so inclined.
laellyra's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
b_melanie's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
marleah_a's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible. This book covers so much about love, family, marriage, motherhood, and daughterhood. I cried.