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A review by monalyisha
Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
I knew, going in, that this debut novel had a lot of love. I’m not sure what I expected but it wasn’t what I got.
I, like others, LOVED what I got.
Despite first impressions, the book bears only a surface resemblance to the 2015 film, The Lobster. I kept thinking, “This is like The Lobster except…” less self-consciously artsy, more intimate, more feminine. Eventually, the “excepts” piled up. The only real similarity is animal transmutation in an otherwise mundane world paired with a philosophical investigation into the nature of love.
I’m genuinely still in awe that this is Habeck’s first novel. It’s hard to write past that but I’ll try. This is the kind of magical realism I’m always craving in my (human, and therefore animal) heart of hearts. The fantastical is accepted; the rest is contemporary fiction. The focus is on the characters: their yearning, their struggles, their joy, their connection with their larger community and with themselves.
If you’re a fan of nature writing, it’s got more than a dawn’s blush of that, too! As long as you don’t mind crying at the beach (just wear big sunglasses and you’ll be golden), I’d definitely recommend tucking this into your bag with your towel and sunblock this summer. It’d also be a great book club choice! Anticipate discussions about partnership, caretaking, & formative childhood experiences. I’m still ruminating on the “why” behind so many details…
As an aside, if I didn’t already hate tuna fish, I certainly would now.
I, like others, LOVED what I got.
Despite first impressions, the book bears only a surface resemblance to the 2015 film, The Lobster. I kept thinking, “This is like The Lobster except…” less self-consciously artsy, more intimate, more feminine. Eventually, the “excepts” piled up. The only real similarity is animal transmutation in an otherwise mundane world paired with a philosophical investigation into the nature of love.
I’m genuinely still in awe that this is Habeck’s first novel. It’s hard to write past that but I’ll try. This is the kind of magical realism I’m always craving in my (human, and therefore animal) heart of hearts. The fantastical is accepted; the rest is contemporary fiction. The focus is on the characters: their yearning, their struggles, their joy, their connection with their larger community and with themselves.
If you’re a fan of nature writing, it’s got more than a dawn’s blush of that, too! As long as you don’t mind crying at the beach (just wear big sunglasses and you’ll be golden), I’d definitely recommend tucking this into your bag with your towel and sunblock this summer. It’d also be a great book club choice! Anticipate discussions about partnership, caretaking, & formative childhood experiences. I’m still ruminating on the “why” behind so many details…
As an aside, if I didn’t already hate tuna fish, I certainly would now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse