The tipping point of comforts is the moment when the familiar and secure confines of our comfort zone start to feel limiting and stifling. We begin to yearn for something more, a desire to venture outside of what we know, and embrace the unknown. It is in this yearning for something beyond our comfort that we find the courage to unlock our true potential and embark on a journey of self-discovery. Only by stepping outside our comfort zones can we truly live a life that is vibrant, meaningful, and filled with the richness of new experiences.
For all ages. Middling Industries offer its most acclaimed illustrated series “Haee and the Other Middlings”, taking a meaningful jab at middle class poignancy of the 21st century. Created by R.S. Vern, this series provides a delightful read at what it means to be functioning, breathing, and living as we are today, all through the eyes of an ingenious cat.
Watch book trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7hfWS0A-RY
The simple but poignant story of Haee, a cat with a crooked tail, who lives a comfortable and worry-free life with his loving family.
One day, curious Haee goes exploring in a black hole and gets lost. Haee is discovered by Tom and Jane. Tom and Jane take Haee home and give Haee everything he could possibly need or want. Though they appear to be a perfect couple living a perfect life filled with good jobs, exercise, organic food, sleep, a nice car and everything they need, Tom is secretly dissatisfied with the busy urban life and wishes for clean fresh air and Jane wishes she were a bird and could fly away and see the world.
Haee, in spite of his pampered life, treats and his part in making the house run smoothly, discovers that he, too, is missing something.So one day Haee decides to go play with the cats in the alley and make friends with Whie – the one cat that all the other cats ignore because of her big red nose. Haee enjoys being with Whie so much that he does not return to Tom and Jane.
The first in a trilogy, this story centers on the themes of need versus want, self-fulfillment and motivation. Author R.S. Vern introduces the concept of “Middlings” to the reader in the introduction, explaining that Middlings are those who appear to have it all, are independent, respect non-conformists and the environment but feel “apart from it all”. “They also often ask themselves: “”Are we not as happy as those who are much better off in this world?””
Haee, Tom and Jane are all Middlings who appear to have everything they could possibly need and want to be comfortable. But, as the evocative and enticingly detailed pen-line illustrations show, there is an underlying sense of dissatisfaction that grows in spite of all “needs” being met. Realizing this, Haee acts on his desires leaves the comfort of home in search of more satisfying life.
The ending comes somewhat abruptly, leaving a sense that the story is incomplete, however does effectively Vern brings to light the question about whether or not having it all is really is the paradigm for the middle class working Tom and Jane, and whether Haee, or any other Middling, is really living more if they are less “comfortable”.
Vern’s story is engaging on many levels and the mostly-black-and-white illustrations add a contemporary and stylish elegance to the clean, crisp layout of the ebook that also features pop up text boxes when narrative is double clicked.
HAEE is a beautifully illustrated and thought-provoking modern-day allegory suitable for older children and grown-ups alike.
