First published 1980
Harold Wimsey lives alone on his inherited farm outside Cedar Rapids, tending to a small flock of chickens. When his prize hen Henrietta begins responding to his daily conversations with apparent understanding, Harold finds himself drawn into an emotional relationship that defies explanation. His neighbors notice his strange behavior. His sister Margaret threatens to have him committed. Harold must choose between the judgment of his community and the only creature that seems to truly listen to him. The story explores the boundaries between loneliness and madness, between human connection and the need to be understood by any living thing willing to pay attention.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, magical-realism
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: outsider-perspective, unconventional-romance
Setting: Cedar Rapids
Paperback · Cross-cultural Communications