The Canary: A Novella

The Canary is a unique story about Owen Day's search for meaning in a chaotic society. Owen starts therapy with 'Doc' because he 'doesn't know how to be in love', and that, 'we can only understand ourselves through the eyes of other people.' He tells 'Doc' that being in love hurts too much. Doc and Owen explore religion, meaning, narcissism, love, human relationships, the male/female power dynamics and much more. But everything changes when Doc has to leave his practice for getting too personal with Owen.

Insert female logo-therapist, Dr. Sara Greene. Dr. Greene helps Owen try to understand the modern feminine. Owen pleads to Dr. Greene that something is bubbling up in weak men - something malicious. The two dive deep into the changing power dynamics in western society.

Owen meets Kelley Jackson - a woman who doesn't have a direction in this world. What Kelley does have is intelligence and wit. Kelley tells Owen that she hasn't been pulled to do something with her life since she was a child. Owen, Doc and her dive deep into the meaning of life in today's world. A love starts to brew between Owen and Kelley - giving Owen the opportunity to explore love, relationships and male/female dynamics with a thoughtful woman with a bite.

The Canary is a philosophical dark comedy about human transformation. It is written in a unique style, by newcomer Clint Haugen, that is all dialogue. It both reads like a novel and a play. Haugen's ability to have characters discuss deep topics, while being incredibly funny and witty, makes this book a must-read. It grabs you right away and doesn't let you sleep. The ideas discussed in this book will dance in the mind for years to come. Haugen truly has a bright future.