This is Sarah Enright, with the Sioux City Public Library, and you’re listening to Check It Out.
Today, I am recommending, Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck.
The moment I glimpsed the synopsis, I was hooked! The love story between newlyweds Lewis and Wren was captivating, but it was the mention of Lewis' sudden transformation into a great white shark that left me in shock and eager to dive into the book. The author's writing style strikes a perfect balance between magic and reality, making it nearly impossible to put down. Shark Heart exemplifies the boundless creativity of the magical realism genre, where anything is possible. As a bonus, the book's structure and the author's writing style were equally as spellbinding as the plot itself.
The narrative of Wren's life is presented through a shifting of voices and timelines. Initially, in the present, we witness the profound love story between Wren and Lewis, and the impact of his diagnosis of this rare transformative condition on their lives. Subsequently, the focus shifts to Wren's life before Lewis, her mother's experiences and choices, and the circumstances that led to her existence.
Shark Heart's unusual storyline highlights themes of life changes, grief, impossible choices, holding on, and letting go. Despite grappling with the fragility of memories and the preciousness of life, the novel's originality and emotional depth are sure to stay with readers long after the final page has been turned.
Check out Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck at the Sioux City Public Library today.
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