Shattered

Description

Where the spotlight hides shadows too deep to escape.

Shattered is the story of Mikey Haskell, a towering stand-up comic whose quick wit and biting humor mask an inner life marked by insecurity, loneliness, and a desperate search for meaning. On stage, Mikey feeds off the rush of laughter, cigarette smoke, and the illusion of connection. But offstage, he finds himself slipping into patterns of self-destruction—strained family ties, lost love, and the gnawing sense that he is failing at the only thing that gives him purpose.

Thomas Cannon writes with searing authenticity, bringing readers into the raw psychology of a man who lives for comedy but fears he has nothing left to give. The narrative captures both the intoxicating energy of late-night comedy clubs and the silent ache of empty hotel rooms, estranged families, and friendships tested by loyalty and betrayal.

Highlights include:

• An unflinching look at the stand-up comedy circuit of the 1990s.
• The complex relationship between performance, identity, and self-worth.
• Tender yet painful explorations of family, friendship, and unspoken love.
• A deeply human portrayal of depression, longing, and the fine line between laughter and despair.

Bleak, heartfelt, and unforgettable, Shattered is not just the story of a comedian, but of a man searching for connection in a world where every laugh might be his last chance at redemption.

Written by Thomas Cannon